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Hey, Neighbor!: Flyers And Their Sixers Counterparts

The Philadelphia Flyers and Philadelphia 76ers live under the same roof, in different leagues, but have more similarities than may meet the eye.

Both teams have been through the horror years (and for the Sixers, they might not be out of the woods yet), but they both have been working to rise up from the ashes with exceptional young talent who have a true passion for playing for Philly.

Both teams are working their way back into the good graces of Philly fans, and as the two gear up for new seasons in the newly-minted Xfinity Mobile Arena, all eyes will be on them to prove their upgrades.

Matvei Michkov → Tyrese Maxey

The young star who changes everything.

Michkov is barely in the NHL, but you can already feel his gravitational pull. The same is true for Maxey, whose ascension into All-Star status redefined the Sixers’ ceiling. Both are electric, fearless, and bring the kind of joy to the game that’s infectious. They’re not just players—they’re hope personified.

Travis Konecny → Joel Embiid

The emotional engine.

Konecny isn’t on Embiid’s level talent-wise, but the parallel lies in how their teams move as they move. Konecny’s relentless pest energy and goal-scoring swagger set the Flyers’ tone. Embiid’s rim protection, physical dominance, and sheer willpower do the same for the Sixers. Both can frustrate with inconsistency, but when they’re cooking, they carry everyone with them.

Travis Sanheim → Paul George

The underappreciated star who does it all.

Sanheim has quietly evolved into the Flyers’ No. 1 defenseman — logging huge minutes, defending the toughest matchups, and still finding ways to push play. Paul George is the NBA’s version of that: a two-way star whose versatility often gets overshadowed by louder names but whose impact is undeniable. Both are smooth, both are stabilizers, and both are the kind of players you only miss once they’re gone.

Owen Tippett → Kelly Oubre Jr.

The streaky scorer who can get nuclear-hot.

Tippett’s speed and shot make him one of the Flyers’ most dangerous weapons, and when he’s feeling it, he changes the complexion of a game. Oubre is the same story: give him a hot hand and he’ll swing an entire quarter. Both live on confidence, both thrive when their aggressiveness is rewarded, and both can be maddening when the shots don’t fall.

Jamie Drysdale → Kyle Lowry

The thinker, the connector.

Drysdale plays the game with a cerebral calm—moving the puck, making the right read, never in a rush. Lowry, late in his career, has become that same steadying influence for the Sixers. He’s not the All-Star of old, but he’s still the one you trust to get everyone organized and settle chaos into structure.

Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News

Sean Couturier → Andre Drummond

The savvy veteran presence.

Couturier isn’t the elite shutdown center of his Selke days anymore, but his positioning and brain still make him invaluable. Drummond, in his return to Philly, plays a similar role: a big body with experience, capable of stabilizing stretches with rebounding and physicality. Neither is the franchise’s future, but both are essential in the present.

Cam York → Jared McCain

The young talent still defining his role.

York is clearly one of the Flyers’ most skilled defensemen, yet his power play usage has lagged behind his offensive upside. McCain, still an emerging young guard, will face the same story—plenty of talent, but minutes and role will dictate how quickly he shines. Both are poised to grow into something bigger if the leash extends.

Bobby Brink → VJ Edgecombe

The spark-plug prospect.

Brink and Edgecombe are both players who ooze skill and upside, but aren’t yet household names. They’re the “what if?” guys—what if Brink’s creativity and offensive motor translate to consistent NHL production? What if Edgecombe’s athleticism and raw tools sharpen into real NBA impact? Fans already see the flashes, and the flashes are intoxicating.

Noah Cates → Paul Reed

The glue guy.

Cates' contributions, while significant, may fly under the radar, but coaches love him because he does the hard jobs: defensive matchups, penalty killing, dirty battles in the corner. Reed fills the same function for the Sixers—a chaos agent who works, scrambles, and keeps the team in the trenches. Neither player is the typical "superstar," but without them, the foundation wobbles.

Tyson Foerster → Eric Gordon

The reliable shooter.

Foerster’s shot is his calling card—the kind of release that makes you perk up every time he’s set up in the slot. Eric Gordon has built an entire career on that same value: a trusted trigger man who can stretch defenses and punish mistakes. Both are secondary scorers who can feel like primary weapons when given the opportunity.

The beauty of looking across Broad Street—or even across the same arena—is realizing how connected these teams really are. The Flyers’ emerging stars mirror the Sixers’ youthful core, their veterans balance the room the same way Sixers' steady the floor. Even their challenges—finding scoring consistency, leaning on elite talent, managing expectations—run parallel.  No matter the surface, ice or hardwood, sneakers or skates, the struggles and triumphs are universal.

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Phillies win wild one in Milwaukee

Phillies win wild one in Milwaukee originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

MILWAUKEE – On this Labor Day, the Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers put in a ton of work on the baseball field during an exciting afternoon. The Phillies got an improbable 10-8 win over the team with the best record in baseball.

Brandon Marsh knocked in the winning run in the ninth inning with an RBI single to cap off a wild game that had injuries, questionable calls, 24 hits and a manager ejection. But Jhoan Duran provided stability when the Phillies needed it most as the Phillies improved to 80-58 on the season and kept their six-game lead over the Mets. Milwaukee fell to 85-54.

“I’m going to bed,” joked manager Rob Thomson after the draining win that saw the teams use a total of 14 pitchers. “They just kept fighting. That was a battle today.”

Taijuan Walker allowed three runs on 32 pitches in the first inning on Monday against the Brewers at American Family Field, just two starts after he delivered 38 pitches and allowed three runs in the first against Washington.

Walker’s fifth pitch of the game was launched into the leftfield seats by Milwaukee’s leadoff hitter Brice Turang. After a double by William Contreras and a walk to Christian Yelich, Blake Perkins lined a double past Bryce Harper down the rightfield line that scored two more to give the Brewers a 3-0 lead.

It was a particularly impressive game by the Phillies, who were playing an afternoon game in Milwaukee a day after being the Sunday night national game in Philadelphia. The team didn’t get into Milwaukee until about 1 a.m. The teams have off Tuesday before resuming the series on Wednesday.

“Huge, today was a big test for us, just getting in a little late and playing a good team over there,” said Marsh. “It was a huge game for us and taking one in this atmosphere, in this ballpark. Obviously, you want to win as many games as you possibly can. That was a big momentum shift for us just coming off that last game against Atlanta (a 3-1 loss).

“My bread and butter has always been left-center and left field. Always have to take what the pitcher and the other staff gives you. Couple of bad swings that turned out good. Very thankful for that. It’s a hard game, you take as many as you can.

Caleb Durbin led off the second inning with a home run to left for a 4-0 Brewers lead before Bryce Harper countered in the fourth. Harper belted his 23rd home run of the season right over the 400 foot sign in dead center field to cut the lead to 4-1 off Milwaukee starter Jacob Misiorowski.

After the Brewers upped the lead to 5-1 in the fourth with a pair of singles, a walk and a sacrifice fly off Walker, the Phillies chased Misiorowski in the fifth.

Max Kepler started the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a single by Edmundo Sosa. Bryce Stott forced Sosa at second on a fielder’s choice, before Trea Turner knocked in Kepler and Stott with a triple to the right field corner. That sent Misiorowski to the showers as the lead was cut to 5-3.

Tim Mayza made his Phillies debut in the fifth a successful one as he shut down the three Brewers he faced in order. The Allentown native hadn’t pitched in the majors since the middle of April due to a left lat strain. And the Phillies rewarded him with a big sixth inning.

J.T. Realmuto led off the inning and got plunked by Milwaukee reliever Nick Mears. Brandon Marsh followed with a single to put runners on first and third. Realmuto scored on a double by Harrison Bader before Kepler and Sosa each hit sacrifice flies for a 6-5 Phillies lead.

That was short-lived, however, as the Brewers scored the tying run without getting a base hit in the sixth. Milwaukee turned two walks, a wild pitch and a stolen base into a run when second baseman Bryson Stott bobbled a two-out grounder for an error that allowed the sixth run to score for the Brewers.

“The Stott error, my jaw dropped,” said Thomson. “Cause you don’t see that. He’s just so good. It was a battle. You’re down four, they you hit the (Harper) home run and you’re down four again. And then we just kept battling back and it was back and forth. It was almost like a playoff feel to it.”

Bader came through again in the eighth when he knocked in Brandon Marsh, who had singled to start the inning, with a double. The centerfielder had two doubles on the day, both resulting in RBIs. Marsh collected four hits, while Turner, Harper, Bader and Stott each had two of the Phillies’ 14 hits. After Bader’s go-ahead double in the eighth, Stott knocked him in with a double, silencing the sell-out Labor Day crowd. Only for a moment though as the Brewers scored two runs with two outs off David Robertson, – the key blow a two-run single by pinch-hitter Isaac Collins to shallow left-center to tie the game, 8-8.

“It’s really easy to get caught up in the emotion of trying to fit into a clubhouse,” said Bader. “Just relaxing and letting your game speak for itself to try to help the team win after nine innings eliminates all of that. I’m just kind of running with that feeling and trying to put up for my new club.”

It was a tough day for catcher J.T. Realmuto who was hit by a pitch on the arm and took a foul ball to the man section. He was also a part of a big play in the ninth when a questionable check swing went his way leading to a walk that kept the inning alive for Marsh’s heroics, before Bader knocked in the final insurance run. Brewers manager Pat Murphy argued so much that he got tossed. But all he missed was a big win by the Phillies.

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Sabres Prospect Profile – Adam Kleber

The Buffalo Sabres have been considered to have one of the deepest prospect pools in the NHL, which is in part due to them selecting high in recent drafts because of their not qualifying for the playoffs. The Sabres have displayed an eye for talent, but the organization’s developmental model has not yielded enough results. 

Leading up to the opening of training camp in mid-September, we will look at the club's top 40 prospects. All are 25 years old or younger, whose rights are currently held by the Sabres or are on AHL or NHL deals, and have played less than 40 NHL games. 

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#12 - Adam Kleber - Defense (Minnesota-Duluth - NCAA)

Kleber was the Sabres second-round pick at the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas. The Chaska, MN native played his amateur hockey in Minnesota and two years in the USHL with Lincoln before being selected 42nd overall with a pick obtained from the San Jose Sharks when Buffalo traded down from 11th to 14th overall.

The 19-year-old is big (6’6”, 214 lb.), right-handed, and defensive-minded, something that will be a good fit down the road with a Sabres blueline that is predominantly left-handed and offensive-minded. The young blueliner possesses above-average skating ability and good awareness and habits in his own zone, skills that project him to be an effective penalty killer down the line. In his freshman year at Minnesota-Duluth, Kleber had just five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in 33 games, but was part of Team USA’s gold medal-winning squad at the WJC in Ottawa. He was part of Team USA’s squad at the World Junior Summer Showcase last month and it is expected that he will be part of the club in Minneapolis, MN, this December.

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

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24 Nashville Predators is 24 days: Ryan O’Reilly

Is it October yet? 

Unfortunately, no, but we're here to help pass the time. From Aug. 8 to Sept. 4, The Hockey News Nashville Predators will be counting down 24 players in 24 days, profiling every current or potentially rostered player. 

Today's player profile is forward Ryan O'Reilly. 

24 Nashville Predators in 24 days series 

Adam Wilsby

Jordan Oesterle

Andreas Engulund

Cole Smith

Michael McCarron

Justin Barron

Zachary L’Heureux

Matthew Wood

Nick Blankenburg

Brady Martin

Michael Bunting

Justus Annunen

Nick Perbix

Luke Evangelista

Nic Hague

Erik Haula

Fedor Svechkov

Brady Skjei

Jonathan Marchessault

Steven Stamkos

As an NHL prospect

O'Reilly spent his two seasons of junior hockey with the Erie Otters in the OHL. In his first season, he scored 52 points in 50 games and logged 42 penalty minutes.

During the 2008-09 season, his draft year, O'Reilly scored 66 points in 66 games and five points in five playoff games. That same season, he was selected to play in the CHL's Top Prospects Game. 

O'Reilly was selected 33rd overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2009 NHL Draft. 

Professional career 

January 8, 2010; Raleigh, NC, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Ryan O'Reilly (37) against the Carolina Hurricanes at the RBC center. The Hurricanes defeated the Avalanche 2-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USPRESSWIRE

O'Reilly wasted no time making the jump to the NHL, playing 81 games with the Avalanche in his first season, scoring 26 points. O'Reilly matched that total during the 2010-11 season. 

He took a jump during his third NHL season, scoring 55 points in 81 games and logging just 12 penalty minutes. During the 2012-13 NHL lockout, O'Reilly played 12 games with Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the KHL, scoring 10 points.

O'Reilly returned to the Avalanche when the lockout ended, scoring 20 points in 29 games, which was an abbreviated season. He'd spend two more seasons in Colorado, scoring 119 points in 163 games over that stretch.

During the 2013-14 season, O'Reilly had 64 points in 80 games and just two penalty minutes, winning the Lady Bing Memorial Trophy. 

In the 2015 offseason, O'Reilly was traded to the Buffalo Sabres and spent three seasons there. He played 224 games with the Sabres, scoring 176 points. He continued the trend of playing a clean game as well, logging no more than 10 penalty minutes in those three seasons. 

During the 2015-16 season, he scored 60 points in 71 games, earning an NHL All-Star Game bid. Ahead of the 2016-17 season, O'Reilly played for Canada in the World Cup of Hockey, playing in six games and winning a gold medal.

O'Reilly has won five gold medals with Canada, including two at the IIHF World Championship. 

In the 2018 offseason, O'Reilly was traded to the St. Louis Blues. During the regular season, O'Reilly had a career-high 77 points in 82 games, helping the Blues clinch the third seed in the Central Division. O'Reilly also played in his second career NHL All-Star Game. 

Jun 12, 2019; Boston, MA, USA; St. Louis Blues center Ryan O'Reilly (90) kisses the Stanley Cup after defeating the Boston Bruins in game seven of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

The Blues went on a run during the playoffs, eventually defeating the Boston Bruins in seven games to win the Stanley Cup. O'Reilly had 23 points in 26 games, winning the Conn Smyth Trophy. He also won the Selke Trophy that season. 

He added another All-Star Game bid in the 2019-20 season, scoring 61 points in 71 games. 

O'Reilly spent two and a half more seasons with the Blues, scoring 131 points in 174 games and logging 40 penalty minutes. 

At the 2023 trade deadline, O'Reilly was sent to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He'd play 13 games with the Maple Leafs, scoring 11 points. In the playoffs, he helped the Maple Leafs to their first playoff series victory in 19 years, scoring nine points in 11 games. 

As a free agent in the 2023 offseason, O'Reilly signed a four-year, $18 million contract with the Predators. That first season, O'Reilly scored 69 points in 82 games and logged 18 penalty minutes. 

This past season, O'Reilly had 53 points in 79 games and logged 24 penalty minutes, which was the highest PIM total in his professional career. 

He is currently entering the third year of his four-year contract. 

What role will he play this season? 

Apr 8, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators center Ryan O'Reilly (90) skates behind the net against the New York Islanders during the third period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Last season, O'Reilly was one of the things that went right for the Predators. 

He brought up the second line and provided depth beyond the first line. Looking at how well he played last season, he could possibly move up to the first line in place of Steven Stamkos, who could make a move over to the wing. 

O'Reilly is the type of player the Predators need and should strive to emulate. He is a center that can score and isn't racking up the penalty minutes. He is big, productive and playing the game the right way.

He has developed chemistry with this team, which could be useful down the road if the Predators need to move him elsewhere in the lineup or want to mix up line combinations. 

O'Reilly is also a veteran who still has several good years left in him. His numbers declined slightly during the 2022-23 season, but he has remained consistent as a player who can produce at least 50 to 60 points per season.  

Needing depth down the middle, O'Reilly is going to lead that charge and is going to play a critical role in the offense this season. 

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Former Canadiens Player Gets The C

Back in 2012, the Montreal Canadiens had the third-overall pick at the draft. When the opportunity to draft center Alex Galchenyuk came around, the organization didn’t hesitate to pounce even though the 6-foot-1 American had missed a lot of games because of a knee injury. The Habs had big hopes for the centerman, and for a while, it seemed like the selection would pay off.

Over the course of his first four seasons, Galchenyuk steadily improved, putting up 56 points in 82 games in his fourth campaign. However, the following year, his production declined. In his last three seasons with the Canadiens, he never got more than 51 points.

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According to Pat Hickey, who covered the Canadiens for decades, Galchenyuk’s most significant problem in Montreal was his father, as he would discuss with his son after every game, analysing the stats and telling him that the coaching staff wasn’t using him enough.

Eventually, the Canadiens had enough and traded him to the Arizona Coyotes for Max Domi. He would only remain in Arizona for one season and then had stints with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Minnesota Wild, the Ottawa Senators, the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Coyotes (once more), and the Colorado Avalanche.

After he crashed his car into a sign in Scottsdale, Arizona, the forward threatened the police officers who arrived on the scene, and the incident led to the Coyotes terminating his contract. After that, he signed a league-minimum two-way deal with the Avalanche but spent most of his season in the AHL in 2022-23 before deciding to head to the KHL, where he has spent the last two seasons.

Last year, in his first campaign with Khabarovsk Amur, he put up 38 points in 59 games. The team struggled and even suffered five straight shutout losses, with a combined score of 0-21, which led to their coach, Andrei Martemyanov, being fired. However, his replacement, Viktor Kostyuchenok, couldn’t right the ship, and the organization appointed a new coach this summer: Alexander Galchenyuk Sr.

The new coach wasted no time in making his son the team’s captain. It will be interesting to see if the Galchenyuk pair can lead Amur to a better finish than last year, when they were second to last in the Eastern Conference.

Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story.  

Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.

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From The Archive: Rapid Fire With Nashville Predators Goalie Pekka Rinne

Nov 29, 2019; Raleigh, NC, USA; Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne (35) makes a glove save against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena.

The Hockey News has released its archive to all THN subscribers: over 2,000 issues of history, stories, and features.

Subscribe now to view issue Archives here.

(Note: Due to the digital quality of some older issues, articles may contain errors).

Jan 7, 2019/vol. 72, issue 07

RAPID FIRE

WITH NASHVILLE PREDATORS GOALIE PEKKA RINNE

Who was your mentor growing up?

It was two guys. When I was really young, the reason I started being a goalie was my cousin Jari. He’s seven years older than me, and he was a goalie, and I always looked up to him. When I got a bit older, my goalie coach back home Ari (Hilli) was a big mentor for me.

What was the best advice you received as a young player?

Just have fun. Work hard, have fun and try to get better every day.

Who did you model your game after?

There were always Finnish goalies I looked up to, but you wouldn’t necessarily know them. Then when I got a little older and started following the NHL, obviously the best goalies. Martin Brodeur, Patrick Roy, Ed Belfour, all those guys. I had all the posters and stuff like that.

Favorite team growing up?

My local hometown team Oulu, they have a pro hockey team, so that was my favorite team.

Why do you wear No. 35?

Actually, prior to coming over, I wore No. 33, and then after I came over for the first training camp, (the Predators) just gave me No. 35, and I loved it right away. I was too shy to ask for anything else. To be honest with you, I love the number. After having it for so long, I couldn’t picture myself wearing anything else.

What was your ‘Welcome to the NHL’ moment?

I was fortunate to play my first NHL game in my first year in North America. I was in the AHL with Milwaukee and got called up in December 2005. I played against Chicago, and they scored on their first shot on a penalty kill. I remember that like it was yesterday. It was Mark Bell who scored. First shot of the game, and right away it was in, and I was really nervous. We ended up winning 5-3, and I ended up playing well. I was over the moon after the game. It was a pretty cool moment.

What was your first major purchase after signing your first NHL contract?

I think a car. Audi S5.

What was your most memorable save?

It was in the 2011 playoffs against Vancouver. At the time it felt big, because we had never really made it past the first round. It was OT, Kevin Bieksa had an empty net, and I was able to get it with my stick. I remember that. At the time it felt big because it helped us get to the next game. We ended up losing to Vancouver in six games, but I still remember that at the time it felt big.

Is there a part of your game you’d still like to improve?

Yeah, a lot. You can always improve how efficient you are in net. Being agile and athletic but still saving your energy and (making) it look like it’s easy.

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Trading For Carey Price's Contract Makes Sense For Blackhawks

Former Montreal Canadiens superstar goalie Carey Price earned his $5.5 million signing bonus on Monday. During the NHL season, he will earn a $2 million salary, while his cap hit will be $10.5 million. 

That is a significant amount of cap space being allocated to a goaltender who is already retired and is a lock to be inducted into the Hall of Fame (it was shocking that he didn't get in with this most recent ballot, his first eligible year). 

For the Canadiens, a franchise looking to build on their shocking playoff appearance in 2024-25, they might want that extra $10.5 million in cap space. Trading Price's contract away is something that they will be looking to do so that they can make subsequent moves. 

The Chicago Blackhawks, along with a couple of other teams well below the cap, are the candidates to take on this type of contract. 

The Blackhawks may want to trade away a handful of veterans at the trade deadline to acquire assets that will benefit them in the future. It may be hard to do that if they are in danger of falling below the NHL's cap floor of $70.6 million. They are roughly $6 million over the floor right now, and about $18 million below the cap. 

Taking on Price doesn't even bring them close to the salary cap, and it will keep them above the floor if they trade away pieces down the road. 

Usually, the team taking on the bad contract gets assets with it. For example, a good prospect or draft pick will likely come to Chicago as a sweetener to help Montreal offload Price's contract. 

Kyle Davidson has not been shy about doing the things that are considered typical for rebuilding teams. Although they will likely be more entertaining in 2025-26, the Blackhawks are not going to win enough games to be playoff contenders. That makes them the perfect candidate to get Price on their books to make the team better in the future. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

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Rangers ‘Excited’ To See The Work Brennan Othmann Did Put Into Action

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

This upcoming season will be crucial for Brennan Othmann.

Last year, Othmann did not make the New York Rangers' opening-night roster out of training camp, but he got his chance to prove himself at the NHL level late in the season. 

In a 22-game sample size, Othmann failed to score a goal and recorded just two points. 

However, if you watched Othmann play, you could tell that he showed signs of improvement over time and really seemed to become comfortable at the highest level of play.

The 22-year-old used his size to his advantage, emerging as an impactful two-way forward, with a little physical edge to his game. 

The Rangers organization views last season as a learning lesson for Othmann.

"We're excited to see the work he has put in in the summer and what he learned last year," Rangers director of player development Jed Ortmeyer said via Dan Rosen of NHL.com.

Othmann will compete at training camp for an opening-night roster spot with the Rangers, and he has a legitimate chance at making the team.

If he does make the Rangers roster out of training camp, it will truly show the strides he’s made and the overall trust the organization has in him.

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Yankees activate Ryan Yarbrough from IL, recall J.C. Escarra from Triple-A

With rosters officially expanding on Monday, the Yankees have made a pair of moves. 

Ryan Yarbrough has been activated from the injured list and J.C. Escarra has been recalled from Triple-A.

Yarbrough has been sidelined since late June due to a right oblique strain.

The southpaw has pitched well for the Yanks this season, posting a 3.90 ERA over 16 appearances. 

He slid into the backend of the rotation earlier in the year, but Aaron Boone said late last week that he's expected to work as a reliever down the stretch. 

Escarra has appeared in 40 games at the big-league level this season. 

The veteran hasn't quite been able to find his footing in the majors offensively, but has enjoyed a ton of success in the minors, hitting .308 with a .828 OPS in just 18 games. 

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Flyers Late-Round Draft Pick Already Looking Promising

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It's still early, but the Philadelphia Flyers are certainly looking to have a potential draft steal on their hands with Max Westergard.

Westergard, 17, quietly made waves last season as the only draft-eligible player to score goal in the SHL playoffs, finishing with a goal and two assists in 11 postseason contests for Frolunda HC.

That's notable, too, because Westergard only played in four regular season games for the Swedish outfit, which also ranked 15th amongst all draft-eligible skaters in the SHL last season.

But, since being drafted by the Flyers in June, the Finnish forward has continued to show growth and progress, building on a decent showing at the Flyers development camp at the beginning of July.

Playing against Lausanne HC in some Champions HL action Sunday, Westergard picked up two assists in just 8:51 of ice time.

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One of the 2025 fifth-round pick's assists, which made the rounds on social media as a highlight, showed what Westergard can be at the peak of his powers.

The 17-year-old backchecked hard in the high slot, effectively stick-lifting an attacking Lausanne player and winning the puck back for his team with just two touches.

Westergard then raced down the right wing with relative ease, blowing past three defenders, dropped his shoulder at the right circle, and fed the puck back into the crease at the last possible moment to earn an assist.

Westergard and Frolunda ultimately won 5-2, marking a second consecutive victory for the club.

The Flyers prospect, standing at 5-foot-11, 165 pounds, will need to add more weight and play strength to successfully play this style consistently at the NHL level, but he's already more than holding his own against men in the SHL and Champions HL.

Speed and playmaking elements seem to be hallmarks of Westergard's game so far, but we'll see how far he can come with creating offense for himself with that speed.

A small sample size, yes, but Westergard is already showing signs of maturity and talent that bode well for an NHL future with the Flyers.

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Mike Sullivan Opens Up About Changes That Constantly Go On Around The NHL

James Guillory-Imagn Images

Mike Sullivan is one of the most established coaches in the NHL, but even he learns something new every single day on the job. 

After winning two Stanley Cups and coaching the Pittsburgh Penguins for 10 years, Sullivan still feels he has so much to learn about the game of hockey. 

“One of the most rewarding aspects of that (coaching) journey is the learning process,” Sullivan said. “What is the next frontier? What is the new move? It might be on the ice tactically. It might be the sports science. It might be all the analytics. It might be in the human performance space. Mental health. Helping players with their states of mind off the ice so they are in the right head space when the puck drops. How they deal with confidence issues. Relationship stuff.

“There are so many things involved in coaching, and that is what makes it, number one, so difficult, but also so rewarding. None of us have it figured out, and those that think they do, they obviously don’t.”

Throughout his years in the NHL, the sport has evolved, and Sullivan has had to adapt to it. 

“It is essential. The minute you think you have it figured out as a coach, you are dead in the water,” Sullivan said. “The game is in constant evolution. It changes all the time. It changes a number of different ways. It can be coaches’ staffs that come up with and design different tactics. A lot of times it is the savants of the game, the players themselves. The game evolves through them with some of their creativity and the things they do on the ice.

“As a coach if you ever have an inclination to say I have arrived, it may be time to step away. It is a journey. You don’t ever arrive. You just don’t. It is a journey.”

Now, Mike Sullivan is set for his next challenge of coaching the New York Rangers. 

Sullivan is tasked with turning around a Rangers team that didn’t make the playoffs last season, while also helping change the culture in the organization and building a strong foundation. 

Just as he always does though, Sullivan will look to adapt to his new situation and make a lasting impact in New York just like he did in Pittsburgh.

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Alex de Minaur eases into last eight of US Open with straight sets win

  • Australian No 1 too good for Swiss qualifier Leandro Riedi

  • No 25 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime awaits in quarter-final

It took until the second week of the US Open for the No 8 seed to be given a slot on one of the US Open’s three show courts, but having finally been granted a premium placing Alex de Minaur has wasted no time putting on a show.

In truth the Australian No 1 did not play at his best, but he did not need to as his opponent, Swiss qualifier Leandro Riedi, made a slew of errors.

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Kings vs. Canucks: Who Finishes Higher in the 2025-26 NHL Season?

© Bob Frid-Imagn Images

The 2025-26 NHL season will be a hot war in the Pacific Division. Still, early projections and expert analysis suggest that the Vancouver Canucks will finish higher in the standings than their division rivals, the Los Angeles Kings. 

While both franchises have made big offseason moves, it is the Canucks who are poised to stir things up and emerge as a power to be feared in the West. But which team will finish higher this season? 

Rising Momentum in Vancouver 

The Canucks are approaching the season with more optimism, led by a rich roster featuring Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes, and talented goaltender Thatcher Demko. Vancouver is predicted to place third in the Pacific Division by experts at The Hockey Writers, with a bold prediction that the team has an equal chance of fighting for second place if its defense and goaltending hold up.

The Canucks' depth in offense gives them the advantage, provided Pettersson maintains his top-level scoring and Hughes anchors the blue line as one of the top blueliners in the league. Vancouver's most significant question mark is consistency, however. 

However, after re-entering playoff relevance in recent years, the Canucks now appear to be entering their window of contention and are, therefore, a serious threat in the Pacific.

Kings Staying Competitive but Faced With Challenges

The Los Angeles Kings are no strangers to playoff hockey, and their recipe for success has never been about making blockbuster additions, but rather about depth and internal development. However, this offseason, the Kings made more nuanced moves than just headline additions. 

For this reason, most pundits have them trailing Vancouver in the Pacific by just a point now. While the Kings' competitiveness and miserly defense remain in place, the consensus is that their current lineup doesn't possess the same amount of top-end firepower as some other Western contenders.

The Kings' success will thrive on four players: Quinton Byfield, Andre Kuzmenko, Darcy Kuemper, and Brandt Clarke. If LA gets all of these guys A-games, the Kings will be just as good as they were last season, but that all depends on how they're coached through the season. 

Head-to-Head Edge Favors Canucks

As much as the Kings vs. Canucks are concerned, these are meant to be a series that will heavily influence the Pacific Division standings. Vancouver's potent offense will test the Kings' defensive adjustments, and Los Angeles' playoff experience and depth could ultimately be the difference-maker in tight, low-scoring games.

Recent encounters between these two teams have only strengthened Vancouver's case. Last season, the two teams met three times, and the Canucks won the series 2-1, including a marquee February 2025 encounter. 

Vancouver defeated Los Angeles in overtime, showcasing its toughness and ability to deliver under pressure. Statistically, the Canucks and Kings have remained balanced over recent seasons, but Vancouver's rising trajectory and offseason moves provide it with the lift it requires in 2025-26.

Verdict: Canucks Slightly Favored

Both teams can finish in the top half of the Pacific, but most initial projections have the Vancouver Canucks for the year 2025–26. Hughes' dominant defense and Demko taking over the crease space give Vancouver the balance to finish third in the division. At the same time, the Kings are expected to finish third or fourth, depending on how their defense performs.

Of course, hockey doesn't always go as planned. If the Kings' young star players can step up in the regular season and stay healthy, Los Angeles could turn the script around. But heading into the season, the Canucks look a little bit stronger on paper and should finish higher than their division rivals.