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Mar 25, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Cal Foote (52) stretches before the game against the Seattle Kraken at Bridgestone Arena. Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

On Thursday, the NHL released a statement concerning the five players who were found not guilty in the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial this summer.

Dillon Dubé, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart, and Michael McLeod were each members of Hockey Canada’s 2018 National U-20 Junior Team.

According to the statement, all five players will be eligible to sign an NHL contract no sooner than Oct. 15, 2025, and eligible to play in NHL games no sooner than Dec. 1, 2025.

“Taking into account that the players have been away from the game for 20 months – including since their acquittals in July -- we have determined that the players will be eligible to sign an NHL contract no sooner than October 15, 2025, and eligible to play in NHL games no sooner than December 1, 2025, bringing their total time out of the League to nearly two years,” the statement said.

Foote, who was originally drafted in the first round (14th overall) by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2017 NHL Draft, played for the Predators during the 2022-23 season.

In 24 games with the club, the 6-foot-4, 225-pound right-shot defenseman totaled a goal and three assists for four points.

In 145 NHL games across four seasons with the Lightning, Predators and New Jersey Devils, Foote recorded 20 points (5-15-20). He played in Slovakia during the 2024-25 season.

Upon learning of the allegations in May 2022, the NHL commenced a third-party investigation into the conduct of the five players involved. At the trial, Justice Maria Carroccia found the players not guilty of sexual assault in Ontario Superior Court in London, Ont., on July 24. McLeod was also found not guilty of one count of being a party to the offense.

“The events that transpired after the 2018 Hockey Canada Foundation Gala in London, Ontario, prior to these players’ arrival in the NHL, were deeply troubling and unacceptable,” the League statement said. “The League expects everyone connected with the game to conduct themselves with the highest level of moral integrity. And, in this case, while found not to have been criminal, the conduct of the players involved certainly did not meet that standard.”

The NHL said it had in-person meetings with each of the acquitted men following the verdicts and acknowledged they expressed regret and remorse for their actions.

The Buffalo Sabres need all hands on deck if they're to end their `14-year Stanley Cup playoff drought. And that means everyone on the roster is going to have to pull their weight. What will expectations for every Sabres player look like? That's the focus of THN.com's Sabres site series.

We began the player-by-player evaluation process by looking at Buffalo's goalies and defensemen. And of late, we're focusing on the Sabres' forwards -- including today's focus, winger Jordan Greenway. The veteran left winger has had trouble staying healthy in recent years, but as one of the Sabres' more physical players, he can impact a game in a way few of his Buffalo teammates can.

Let's now turn the spotlight on Greenway and see what may be in the cards for him in 2025-26.

Player Name: Jordan Greenway

Position: Left Wing

Age: 28

2024-25 Key Statistics: 34 games, 3 goals, 8 points

2025-26 Salary: $4-million

2025-26 Expectations: Greenway appeared in less than half of the regular-season for Buffalo last year, and there's a definite pattern in regard to his health, as he hasn't played in more than 67 games since 2018-1`9 -- his first full season in the NHL. 

Greenway's heavy physical game takes a toll on him and his opponents, but he's being paid like a high-end third-line forward, and the most offense he's put up in the past four seasons are the 10 goals and 28 points he had for Buffalo in 2023-24.

Even as a member of the Sabres' third line, Greenway needs to do more than that to justify his salary. He's signed through this coming season and another year after that, but Greenway could be moved if Buffalo struggles and he isn't playing up to expectations. Greenway does have limited no-trade protection, but it's only a partial no-trade clause, one that allows him to veto a trade to one of five teams of his choosing.

Sabres 2025-26 Player Expectations: Veteran Winger Zucker Looked To For Cluch OffenseThe NHL’s 2025-26 season is nearly upon us, and here at THN.com’s Buffalo Sabres site, we're continuing our player-by-player series in which we break down expectations for each Sabres player this season. We've looked at Buffalo's goalies and defensemen, and in this latest column, we're turning our attention to veteran winger Jason Zucker.

That still leaves 26 teams Greenway could be traded to. But that's a line of thought for another day. For now, Greenway has to (a) stay healthy, (b) exact a physical toll from opponents, and (c) be part of a winner. If he has an issue in any of those regards, Greenway is going to hear it from Sabres fans who are rightfully exhausted by the continuing failure of this Buffalo team to be relevant.

Greenway isn't ever going to be an all-star or a difference-maker on offense. But the reason the Sabres have kept him around is because he's the type of player Buffalo needs more of -- a physical threat and a solid defender in limited minutes. 

Sabres 2025-26 Player Expectations: Entering Contract Year, Star Winger Tuch Will Be Feeling The HeatThe NHL’s 2025-26 season is almost here, and it’s a great time on THN.com’s Buffalo Sabres site to continue our player-by-player series in which we analyze expectations for every Sabres player in 2025-26.

Neither Greenway nor the Sabres can afford a step backward this year. There's so much on the line for all of Buffalo's players (and management members, for that matter). Greenway knows his role, but some good fortune on the injury front will likely go a long way toward keeping him in the lineup and doing his utmost to live up to his salary. He's earning $1-million more than he's made in the past three years, and that means he's got to produce more. It's as simple as that.

And if he can't achieve those three things, Greenway's future in a Sabres uniform will be in doubt. The rubber is meeting the road for him this season, and nothing short of a strong year will calm the cynics and keep Greenway in Buffalo for a long time to come. 

 

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- There was no second-guessing for Justin Carbonneau.

The St. Louis Blues first round pick (No. 19) in the 2025 NHL Draft was strong in his conviction when asked about his decision to return to junior hockey at Blainville -Boisbriand Armada of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League rather than go the college route to Boston College.

“Going college, I couldn’t be here today, so that’s a big thing,” Carbonneau said Thursday, a day prior to Blues prospects departing for Minnesota for the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase. “I wanted to spend time with the prospects, the staff, all the players. I think it’s a great opportunity for me and a lot of learning I’ll get through the camp. That’s a big thing. Also, I’ve been there for three years in Blainville, bonding with my teammates. It would have been tough for me to leave that. Two reasons why I made the decision.

“It came close. I think Boston College is a great spot for everyone who goes there, but I feel like QMJHL, they did a lot for me to play where I am today for the last three years. I owe them the opportunity that they gave me at 16 years old. I’ve been loyal to them. This year, we have a great team. We’re trying to win a Cup, the (Memorial) Cup. I think I’m in a great spot wherever I play, but I think it’s a good decision that I took.”

And let’s not forget the greatest reason: earning a spot in the NHL with the Blues this season.

Signing a three-year, two-way, entry-level contract on Thursday was the start to that process.

“I guess it’s (the) first step,” Carbonneau said. “Now it’s an opportunity for me to kind of take it and make the best out of it. It’s the first step for me, so I’m really happy.”

Carbonneau will be at main camp when things kick off Sept. 18 at Centene Community Ice Center, but first thing is first, and that’s the opportunity to play with fellow prospects at the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase against the Minnesota Wild on Friday and Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday, and a chance to play with Dalibor Dvorsky, the No. 10 pick in the 2023 draft, and Otto Stenberg, the No. 25 pick that same draft class.

“They’re really good,” Carbonneau said. “I’m grateful to play with them. I think both guys are really talented, a lot of talent. Good offensive guys, a lot of skating, but yeah, with my grit, my scoring abilities, I think I can complete them well. I’m real happy to play with them.”

Dvorsky added, “He’s a great player. A good guy off the ice as well. We only had one practice together, but it felt good. I’m excited to play with them the next two games.”

The Blues left Carbonneau’s decision totally up to him. They of course had their input on what they think is best for the investment they will be making in the forward, but they saw no harm in a decision one way or the other. In this case, it’s a chance to get the product up close and personable right from the start.

“When the kids choose what they want to, we’re happy for them and we support them 100 percent,” Blues assistant general manager Tim Taylor said. “He’s made a commitment to his junior team and to us and we’re excited about his future. As you see, he’s got great hands, he’s a big kid, he’s mature about his age with his strength. I think that he’s going to excel these next two games for rookie camp and looking forward what he does at main camp as well.”

The Blues have always said that should a kid or young player come into training camp, they will be doing so trying to take someone else’s job. That’s what the 18-year-old Carbonneau will be up against. He has the body (6-foot-1, 191 pounds) to do so, but lacks the experience of challenging men.

“You see your future more clear I think and you see the path that you need to take,” Taylor said. “It gives you some sort of idea where you need to get to. You see the NHL players, you’re here amongst everyone, you kind of see what you need to do to get there, and you’re excited about your future too. One doesn’t trump the other, it’s whatever is best for each individual and he’s chosen this and he feels this is the best situation for him to get to the NHL, and we believe that as well.

“… At the end of the day, kids show us where they’re supposed to be, and we’ll see at camp, see how his strength holds up to other guys. You think you’re coming in and you think you’re strong until you play against NHL players and men. I don’t know how that’s going to play out for him. He’s just a kid I’m really excited about. His future with the Blues is looking bright. We want to play it day by day and let him experience this because this is his first NHL training camp and let it play out and see where it lies.”

Carbonneau, who had 89 points (46 goals, 43 assists) in 62 games last season, will have three choices laid in front of him: make the team out of camp permanently, get nine games and then the Blues decide whether it’s NHL or junior the rest of the season, or he simply needs a full season in the QMJHL because he’s not quite ready for this level of play but gets to help fuel a run for a title at the junior level.

“One step at a time, but yeah, my goal is I have nothing to lose, right,” Carbonneau said. “I’ll go all out, I’ll try to show everything I have and try to learn from older players and guys that have played for the Blues. My goal is to play there one day and be there with them. It’s going to be a fun experience.

“I think I want to show my passion, I want to show that I care, my compete level, my grit. I think a lot of people know that I can score goals and I have offensive talent, I would say, but I’m here to show them passion about my game, I compete and all out for everything I do.”

Blues' Long-Time Play-By-Play Announcer Joins KingsThe St. Louis Blues' long-time play-by-play announcer, John Kelly, will be joining the Los Angeles Kings on their FanDuel Sports Network telecasts, filling the vacancy created by Hall of Fame announcer Nick Nickson’s retirement, the team announced on Thursday.

The five players from Hockey Canada's 2018 world junior team who were found not guilty of sexual assault this summer will eventually be allowed to return to the NHL.

Centers Michael McLeod and Dillon Dube, goaltender Carter Hart, left winger Alex Formenton and defenseman Cal Foote will be eligible to sign NHL contracts as of Oct. 15.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman and The Athletic's Chris Johnston and Sean Gentille initially reported the news, while the NHL confirmed the reports shortly afterward.

The players are suspended until Dec. 1. They can, however, begin conditioning with a team on Nov. 15, according to The Athletic.

Justice Maria Carroccia found McLeod, Foote, Dube, Formenton and Hart not guilty of sexual assault in Ontario Superior Court in London, Ont., on July 24. McLeod was also found not guilty of one count of being a party to the offense. They were initially charged in connection with allegations of sexually assaulting a woman in a London hotel room after a Hockey Canada gala.

The Crown reportedly decided not to appeal the verdicts. It had 30 days from July 24 to file a notice of appeal.

The NHL released a statement Thursday shortly after the initial reports.

"The events that transpired after the 2018 Hockey Canada Foundation Gala in London, Ont., prior to these players’ arrival in the NHL, were deeply troubling and unacceptable," the statement said. "The league expects everyone connected with the game to conduct themselves with the highest level of moral integrity. And, in this case, while found not to have been criminal, the conduct of the players involved certainly did not meet that standard."

The NHL said it conducted a third-party investigation into the players' conduct after learning of the sexual assault allegations. It included interviewing every player on the 2018 world junior team and other parties who were willing to meet with them, as well as examining hundreds of documents, videos and texts.

That investigation paused in January 2024 when London Police announced it charged the five men.

All Five Former World Junior Players Found Not Guilty In Hockey Canada Sexual Assault TrialWarning: coverage of the Hockey Canada trial includes details of alleged sexual assault that may be disturbing to readers.

"In relying on both our own investigation, and the conclusions reached by Justice Carroccia in her opinion, and the players’ acquittal, the league has determined that the conduct at issue falls woefully short of the standards and values that the league and its member clubs expect and demand."

The NHL said it had in-person meetings with each of the acquitted men following the verdicts and acknowledged they expressed regret and remorse for their actions.

"Nevertheless, we believe their conduct requires formal league-imposed discipline," the statement said.

The NHL decided it will bring the players' total time out of the NHL to nearly two years by delaying their eligibility of playing until December.

NHL Anticipates Eligibility Update On Hart, Formenton, Dube, Foote And McLeod In 'Near Future'Nearly seven weeks have passed since the five players involved in the 2018 Hockey Canada sexual assault trial were found not guilty on all charges. And yet, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Michael McLeod, Cal Foote and Dillon Dube continue to remain ineligible to return to the NHL.

Dube, Hart, McLeod and Foote have not played in the NHL since they each took a leave of absence in January 2024.

Formenton last played in the NHL in April 2022. He became an RFA. The Ottawa Senators gave him a qualifying offer to retain his rights, but Formenton was not re-signed. He played parts of two seasons for Ambri-Piotta in the Swiss National League before he was granted a leave of absence in January 2024.

Earlier in the week, Formenton signed a three-and-a-half-month contract to rejoin Ambri-Piotta.

The NHLPA released a statement as well on Thursday.

"We are pleased that Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart and Michael McLeod will have the opportunity to resume their NHL careers," the NHLPA said. 

"The players co-operated with every investigation. Upon their full acquittal by Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia, we initiated discussions with the NHL regarding the players' return to work. To avoid a protracted dispute that would cause further delay, we reached the resolution that the league announced today. We now consider the matter closed and look forward to the players' return."

Senators GM Steve Staios was asked about Formenton on Monday.

"I have no comment on that. In fact, it's a league matter, and the player is ineligible to play," Staios said.

Philadelphia Flyers governor Dan Hilferty was asked on Wednesday about whether the team would consider bringing back Hart, who played six seasons for them.

"At this point, we're going to make no comment on that situation," Hilferty said. "The NHL has made it clear they'll speak first, and right now, we're not prepared to comment at all on the Carter Hart situation."

Jonathan Tovell contributed to this report.

Welcome back to Screen Shots, where we tackle three hockey topics in shorter chunks. This edition comes after the NHL and NHLPA player media tour featured three days full of intriguing quotes and news.

Without further ado, we lead off with a topic that Vancouver Canucks fans have certainly heard much of this off-season.

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New Jersey Devils star center Jack Hughes addressed the possibility of eventually playing with brother and Canucks captain Quinn Hughes.

"Honestly, I'm not afraid to say it. I would love for Quinn to, you know, eventually I'd love to play with him," Jack Hughes told reporters at the tour. "Whether that's in New Jersey or at what time that takes, at some point, I want to play with Quinn. But yeah, that's the question going around. They talk all day about it up in Vancouver, you know?"

This is sure to heighten the anxieties of Canucks fans who’ve been worried that Quinn Hughes will eventually leave Vancouver and join Jack Hughes in New Jersey.

But by the same token, and as Quinn Hughes said on Wednesday, of course, brothers would want to play with each other at some point. But you can always find brothers who’ve played entire NHL careers on different teams. 

That’s what makes the Olympics and World Cup of Hockey so compelling – you have teammates who are from the same place and same family tree. You don’t need to play on the same team at the NHL level. If the Canucks give him reason enough to stay in Vancouver, Quinn Hughes will stay. That’s what Canucks fans should be hoping for.

Jack Hughes may believe the Devils will be his only NHL home. But Quinn Hughes could believe the Canucks are his only NHL home. Truth can be stranger than fiction, so anyone who tells you how this all plays out is only taking a guess at it. We’ll have to see what the Hughes Bros. decide, because there will be interest in their future until they’re locked up for the long haul.

NHL Rumor Roundup: Crosby Addresses Trade Rumors, Quinn Hughes Reacts To Brother's CommentsThe Pittsburgh Penguins are rebuilding their roster, even though management won't admit it. Forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell and defenseman Erik Karlsson have been frequently mentioned as trade candidates throughout the off-season.

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As the media tour unfolded in Las Vegas, league deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league is planning on shortening the time it takes to get through the first round of the NHL draft.

While Daly said the “strong majority” of NHL teams still want a decentralized draft, there will be production changes to speed up the first round, which took about an hour and a half longer than usual in 2025.

"While it wasn't as overwhelming a vote as it was the first time we asked, it was still a strong majority (of teams that) wanted to have a decentralized draft," Daly said. "It was the first time we've done it, so from a production standpoint, I think there are going to be significant changes. It's not going to be a four-and-a-half hour first round." 

That’s welcome news in a world where attention spans are shorter than ever.

As it goes with every pro sports league, the NHL worked on the storytelling of the draft that prioritized the personalities and reactions of the athletes, their families and the GMs and scouts who make the selections. But when it took that long to do it, the effectiveness of that storytelling waned because people were ready to hit the hay.

The league has come many miles in its overall draft production quality and marketing. That doesn’t mean it should be complacent. And Daly’s comments on the draft’s first round are good news, but observers will follow up on it next year.

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In some great news, the NHL, NHL Players Association and NHL Alumni Association announced plans to provide all retired players with access to health care. 

“It’s just a real great story about all of the groups coming together to make a big difference for NHL players that are the foundation of the game,” said Glenn Healy, president and executive director of the NHL Alumni Association. “This is like Christmas Day for us.”

Healy, Daly and NHLPA assistant executive director Ron Hainsey met with media in Las Vegas Tuesday to discuss the unveiling of the Retired Players Emergency Healthcare and Wellness Fund, to which the league and players association will each contribute $2 million per year through 2029-30. 

According to the memorandum of understanding, $2 million will go annually to the league and PA’s Emergency Assistance Fund, which assists NHLAA members without insurance coverage, facing catastrophic health issues without insurance coverage, and those members experiencing financial hardship. The remaining $2 million will be put towards helping provide wellness support for NHLAA members.

Healy told reporters that 787 former NHL players who didn’t have a pension will now be covered.

“Every player will have the ability to have a family doctor through Zoom, whether you played one shift or 10,000 games,” Healy said. "You have the ability to have a mental wellness professional within 30 minutes on Zoom, so if you don’t feel comfortable call me or our medical teams, you’ll have that ability…No one will walk alone.”

You have to be happy for the former NHLers who now will have some degree of security in knowing they can get help for what ails them.

There’s no competition in this sense of things – these are all players, young and old, who are trying to be there for one another. The NHL and NHLPA have done well in working with the alumni to ensure a better quality of life for athletes who have made the league what it is.

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.

After facing their medical and physical tests yesterday, the Montreal Canadiens hopefuls were put through a challenging first practice by Laval Rocket coach Pascal Vincent. The players hit the ice at 10:00 AM sharp, and some were still on the ice at midday.

While the day started relatively easily with a few minutes of players taking breakaway shots on the goalies at both ends of the ice, the intensity soon went up after a whiteboard session in which the coach explained what they wanted the players to focus on for the day. Active sticks, poke checks, and combativity —it might just have been rookie camp drills —but for these players, a lot is riding on their performance, and it showed.

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A few players stand out, notably Ivan Demidov, who outperformed Simon Lavigne in a one-on-one drill. The Russian then cut to the inside and scored a beautiful goal on Jacob Fowler. It makes no doubt whatsoever that teams who let Demidov get a breakaway on them will regret it. He scored a few goals that showed just how skilled a player he is.

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— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) September 11, 2025

David Reinbacher also seemed in great shape, and anyone who wondered if he would play differently after his knee injury and surgery can rest easy. The youngster is all in, and his skating is on point. Israel Mianscum can attest to that as the Austrian flew by him in a one-on-one drill.

On Wednesday, Vincent had told the media that he was eager to see how a player like Demidov could apply the defensive concepts that would be taught at camp, but that comment applied to every player, really. For quite a few drills, players had to start by dispossessing a coach with a sticklift before feeding their teammate and joining in the attack.

For those who are already lamenting coaches wanting to denaturalize an offensive talent like Demidov, this is not what that is. Any player will be much more efficient on the ice if he plays both ways. Just think of the work Martin St-Louis did with Cole Caufield, it’s just like that. No matter how talented a player is, his odds of producing get even higher if they are efficient on the other side of the puck.

Unlike last season, the rookies were forced to take a break midway through the practice to allow the Zamboni to do its job. Last year, the players went to the other rink, but that wasn’t possible this time around; the other ice was hosting the Canadiens’ veterans, who were all hard at work.

Throughout the drills, players skated with various linemates, which might indicate that Demidov, Oliver Kapanen, Florian Xhekaj, Filip Mesar, and Luke Tuch were all wearing white jerseys. At the same time, Owen Beck, Vinzenz Rohrer, and Tyler Thorpe were sporting red jerseys. It will be interesting to see if that stays true for Friday’s practice which is also scheduled at 10:00 AM at the CN Sports Complex in Brossard. 

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