The Ottawa Senators have a new French radio partner. They announced today that 104.7 FM Outaouais will carry games in French for the coming season. It's a three-year deal that includes all pre-season, regular season and post-season games.

104.7 FM was the team's original broadcast partner for its first 19 seasons, between 1992 and 2012. Until today's announcement, 94.5 Unique FM had carried the Senators' games in recent years, led by play-by-play man Nicolas St. Pierre. With the Sens' changeover to a new rights holder, St. Pierre announced on X on Wednesday that he was asked to step aside after 17 years in his role.

Après 20 ans à la couverture des @Senators, dont 17 à titre de descripteur, on m'a annoncé que je devais céder ma place. Ça fait mal, mais pour le ''tit-cul'' qui a quitté Sept-Iles avec des rêves et un peu de talent, ce fût une maudite belle aventure. Merci et à bientôt.

— Nicolas St-Pierre (@Nico_StPierre) August 13, 2025

Loosely translated to English: After 20 years covering the Senators, including 17 as a play-by-play announcer, I was told I have to step aside. It hurts, but for the "little guy" who left Sept-Îles with dreams and a bit of talent, it was one heck of a great adventure. Thank you, and see you soon.

Marc Legault, a sports commentator at 104.7, will be the new French-language play-by-play voice of the Senators. 

“Since Michael Andlauer joined us, we have reaffirmed our commitment to better serving our francophone fans throughout the Ottawa-Gatineau region,” Sens president and CEO Cyril Leeder said in a club statement. “We are very pleased to partner up with 104.7 Outaouais, a radio station with strong roots in its community and well known among hockey fans.”

“This new partnership is part of 104.7 Outaouais’ commitment to remaining the benchmark for sports on French radio in the Ottawa-Gatineau area,” Josianne Delorme, the radio station’s general manager said in the same release. “In an industry undergoing rapid change, it is essential to build strong relationships with the best partners, both for our listeners and our advertisers.”

With the French radio rights now set for the next three years, attention will soon turn to the future of the English rights. The Sens are entering the final year of a 12-year regional radio deal with Bell Media's TSN 1200. If the money is right, the Senators' preference is to continue partnering with a sports talk format, where they are the station's dominant subject, indirectly being promoted for most of the local broadcast day. 

But Bell Media may not be enthusiastic about another massive investment in its sports talk radio properties, particularly after it just shut down four TSN radio formats in as many years. In 2021, they said goodbye to their TSN shops in Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Hamilton. Then, two years later, TSN Edmonton was shut down. So, it will be interesting to monitor what happens next in Ottawa.

The new season will begin on Thursday, October 9, when the Senators visit the Tampa Bay Lightning.

By Steve Warne 
@SteveWarneMedia
The Hockey News - Ottawa

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The Chicago Blackhawks have their home opener on Saturday, October 11th, against the Montreal Canadiens. This will be their third game of the season after playing their first two on the road. 

This home opener will be the start of their centennial season. A lot of things are planned as the team is ready to celebrate its 100th season in the NHL.

The first of four chapters in the team's history will begin ahead of this match. "The Original" is the name of the first one which will honor the early years of the franchise. 

NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) on XThe NHL announced the complete 2025-26 regular-season schedule, with home openers beginning Oct. 7 and running through Oct. 16. Full schedule and notable games: https://t.co/8tFeFa0U6J

Their home opener will not be the only one they participate in. For one, the Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers will raise their banner ahead of their first home game against the Blackhawks on Tuesday, January 7th. This is the first game of the NHL’s 2025-26 season as it kicks off a triple header on ESPN. 

Two nights later, the Boston Bruins will host the Blackhawks in their home opener as well. So the first three games of Chicago’s season will have that “first home game of the season” juice in the crowd. 

Some players perform better when the crowd is amped. Their opponents will have the same advantage, especially in the two that come on the road.

On October 11th, the United Center will be packed for a party. That will be the conclusion of those "first game jitters" in all likelihood as the team focuses on improving once again. 

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

The Seattle Kraken have hired Zac Dalpe as a player development consultant and Adam Purner as a video analyst.

Dalpe, 35, retired following the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, which he spent with the Florida Panthers' AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers. Dalpe scored a goal in three games as the Checkers lost to the Abbotsford Canucks in the Calder Cup finals. 

Dalpe played 168 games in the NHL, scoring 16 goals and 32 points. His NHL career was played with the Panthers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild, Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks and the Carolina Hurricanes.

His experience playing in the AHL, where he skated in 574 games, should help him in his role as a player development consultant, as he's served as a veteran presence for plenty of young players in the AHL. 

Purner is receiving his first job in the NHL after spending five seasons in the AHL and five seasons in the WHL as a video coach. Purner also worked as the video coach for Team USA at the 2022 women's world championship.

The Kraken have completed their overhaul of the management and coaching staff, both in the front lines and the background staff. The Kraken have been clear about attempting to change the culture of their organization, putting an emphasis on youth. Several of the changes they've made should benefit this shift.

Kraken Hand Out A Pair Of Promotions Within Player Development StaffThe Seattle Kraken have elevated Cory Murphy to Director of Player Development and Justin Rai to Head of Player Strategy.

Heading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shifted the focus to youth and development.

With more talent in the system than Pittsburgh has had in years - and 13 picks in the 2025 NHL Draft - top prospects lists are becoming more competitive and more difficult to discern. Since the prospect pool is deepening, The Hockey News - Pittsburgh Penguins takes a look at the top-20 prospects in the organization. 

Next up is No. 16, as we take a look at defensive prospect Emil Pieniniemi, whose strong 2024-25 campaign turned some heads and has set him up nicely going forward.

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#16: D Emil Pieniniemi

It was quite the season for Pieniniemi, 20, who came over to North America from Finland and completed a junior season with the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). In 60 games played this season, he registered 10 goals and 60 points, and he finished sixth in OHL scoring among defensemen. 

He was also an alternate captain for Team Finland's 2025 World Junior Championship squad, when he recorded two goals and three points in six games. The 6-foot-3, 177-pound defenseman was the No. 1 defenseman for Finland, and he helped lead them to a silver medal in the tournament. 

At the time of his selection in the third round (91st overall) of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Pieniniemi was more well-known for his shutdown defensive ability. But, since arriving in North America, he has shown his ability as a versatile two-way defenseman who can be deployed in all situations.

Top-20 Penguins' Prospects 2025: Young Forward Earns His SpotHeading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shifted the focus to youth and development.

The intrigue in Pieniniemi's game is certainly in his upside potential offensively, as he became a glue guy for the Frontenacs on the power play and has the playmaking smarts and IQ to distribute the puck to the danger areas effectively. He's mobile, he's agile, and he knows how to man the offensive blue line.

Defensively, Pieniniemi gets in shooting lanes, does not shy away from physicality, and uses his frame effectively to win positioning on opponents. He isn't afraid to dish a booming hit or get mixed up in scourmishes, either, which is always something the Penguins would welcome.

He is also a left-shot defenseman, which is a glaring area of weakness for the Penguins organizationally. They can use as many of these upside left defenders as they can get their hands on. 

ANOTHER GOAL FOR FINLAND 👀

Emil Pieniniemi gives Finland some insurance to make it 3-1.#WorldJuniorspic.twitter.com/1HAV7ereCm

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 6, 2025

Given the Penguins' current blue line situation, it's unlikely that Pieniniemi sees NHL ice this season. He is eligible for the AHL next season, however, so it will be interesting to see how Pieniniemi adjusts to the pro game. 

This guy has some all-around tools, and he may only be 1-2 years away from full-time in the NHL. The only reason he wasn't higher on this list is, in part, because the Penguins had a huge influx of players from this year's draft, and the field is getting more clogged than it has been in a long while.

But don't overlook him. He may not have as high a ceiling as fellow Penguins' prospects Harrison Brunicke and Owen Pickering, but he's a perfect example of a player who could end up well-outperforming his draft positiioning if he develops the right way.

Top-20 Penguins' Prospects 2025: Oft-Forgotten Part Of Jake Guentzel Trade Has IntrigueHeading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shifted the focus to youth and development.

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Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab  to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!        

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. 

Other Sabres Stories

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Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere

#31 - Patrick Geary - Defense (Michigan State - NCAA)

The Sabres selected Geary in the sixth round of the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas and is another example of the club relying on familiarity and investing in players from Western New York. The Hamburg, NY native played his amateur hockey for the Buffalo Jr. Sabres and two seasons for Waterloo of the USHL before heading to Michigan State.

The 21-year-old was drafted after not being selected in two drafts and is a teammate of 2023 second-round pick Maxim Strbak. In his freshman year for the Spartans, Geary played mostly a shutdown defensive role and had 13 points (5 goals, 8 assists) in 32 games. Last season, his offensive numbers declined to just seven points (1 goal, six assists) in 37 games.

According to the Elite Prospects Draft Guide, “the defining dimension of Geary’s game remains on the defensive side of the puck…..In the neutral zone, he closes on opponents early, sets up a tight gap, surfs inside-out, takes away the center lane with his stick, and then closes on the puck carrier with force.”

The Sabres have the luxury of time with Geary, as he has two more years in the NCAA before they will have to determine whether they want to sign him to a pro contract.

 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

The Washington Capitals are the second-last team featured in the NHL prospect pool overview series.

Tony Ferrari digs into Capitals’ strengths and weaknesses, the latest draft class, positional depth chart, next player in line for an NHL opportunity and more. A player who no longer holds rookie eligibility in the NHL is considered graduated and no longer a prospect for these exercises, with few exceptions.

Initial Thoughts

It was just a few years ago that the Capitals had one of the worst prospect pools in the NHL, with basically no effective NHL prospects in the system. 

Now, they have some intriguing young players who could help build the future of the franchise after they eventually move past the Alexander Ovechkin Era.

Thankfully for the Caps, they have been and will be able to integrate some of these young players while Ovechkin is still around, giving them a chance to rub elbows with the all-time leading goal-scorer in NHL history. 

Their top prospect is Ryan Leonard, one of the most intense young wingers in the game. Leonard is as strong as an ox, and he loves to engage physically, with and without the puck. He personifies a bull in a china shop, looking to level defenders en route to the net before breaking out his impressive puck skill to dangle another defender.

Leonard showed quite a bit in his quick NHL stint at the end of last season and playoffs, but there is still so much of his game he still has to give. With an instant transition from college to the pros, he played into the most instinctual part of his game – his physicality. With a summer of training, Leonard should be ready to hit the ground running. 

Once again, Ivan Miroshnichenko played most of the season in the AHL with an extended stint in the NHL. Although his four points across 18 NHL games weren’t world-beating, the young Russian looks ready to take a step up from the AHL. He’s an excellent finisher from distance and in tight, using his physicality, power and skill to make himself a versatile goal-scorer. 

He’s been used to being one of the strongest people on the ice, and last year, he began to show that once again in his second AHL season. A good summer of training could lead to a role in the middle six with an excellent opportunity to score some goals and appear on the power play as well.

After finishing one of the most productive WHL careers in the last 30 years, Andrew Cristall is heading to play pro hockey, likely with the AHL’s Hershey Bears. His skating and pace have always been an issue, but Cristall has improved in both of those areas in his final couple of WHL seasons. If he can even get up to a passable NHL level, his offensive skill in all regards will make him a highly effective left winger. 

Cristall is a lethal shooter who can dangle his way into the slot to get his shot off or evade pressure with his hands while drawing extra attention and then make a pass out of trouble to set up a scoring chance. The ceiling on Cristall’s game is quite high, and if he hits it, he could be a legitimate top-six scorer who puts up some impressive numbers. 

Drafting and developing Aliaksei Protas worked so well, the Caps decided to double down and draft his brother, Ilya Protas. The younger Protas brother tore it up last season with the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires, putting up 124 points in 61 games. He’s not a burner by any means, but the 6-foot-5 forward has incredible hands and excellent instincts with the puck. He combines finesse and power quite well. Protas is set to jump to the AHL, which will test his skating. He could be a bit of slow burn developmentally, but he could be as effective as his brother with a bit more skill.  

Drafting Terik Parascak 17th overall in 2024 was a bet on his tactical play and play recognition. Parascak relies on his linemates when it comes to puck transportation and driving the line, but when he’s in the offensive zone, he’s a high-end play-connector who can finish and make crisp passes all over the zone. His step back last season was a bit expected after a wildly productive draft year, but he needs to show he can bounce back.

Since the Capitals drafted Cole Hutson 43rd overall in 2024, he’s been one of the most impressive offensive blueliners outside of the NHL. His play with Boston University has been unreal, posting 48 points as a freshman to lead the nation’s defensemen in scoring. He builds his offensive game on his shiftiness and puckhandling, using his cohesive hands and feet to evade pressure. He must work on his defensive game, but that’s the one area of his game that might be more advanced at his age than his brother, 2025 Calder Trophy winner Lane Hutson. 

Swiss defenseman Leon Muggli is a smart, steady, mobile defender. His offensive game isn’t flashy, but he does a great job of advancing play when his team has the puck. Defensively, he makes good reads and seems to understand how to position himself and cut down plays. After a couple of seasons playing in the men’s league in Switzerland, Muggli will play his first full North American season in the AHL.

After helping the London Knights win the Memorial Cup, Cam Allen has reasserted himself as a legitimate NHL prospect after injuries slowed his development. He moves well and has utility at both ends of the ice, constantly scanning and keeping his options open. Allen should be making his AHL debut this fall when he will look to move forward with his development against pros. He had some off-ice issues this past season that should be monitored moving forward. 

U-23 Players Likely To Be On NHL Roster This Season

Ryan Leonard (RW)

2025 NHL Draft Class

Round 1, 27th overall - Lynden Lakovic, LW, Moose Jaw (WHL)

Round 2, 37th overall - Milton Gastrin, C, MoDo Jr. (Swe.)

Round 3, 96th overall - Maxim Schafer, RW, Berlin (Ger.)

Round 5, 155th overall - Jackson Crowder, C, Chicago (USHL)

Round 6, 180th overall - Aron Dahlqvist, D, Brynas Jr. (Swe.)

The Capitals had a very solid draft in June, headlined by first-round pick Lynden Lakovic. 

At 6-foot-4, Lakovic has the size NHL teams want, but the knock on him is that he doesn’t use it effectively enough. They want him to throw his weight around and impose himself as a power forward. While he does flash those things, Lakovic is an incredibly skilled forward with impressive handling ability. 

He pairs that puckhandling with high-end skating. Lakovic can pull away from opponents and evade pressure with his edge work. He is an intelligent shooter, understanding where the most dangerous chances come from and getting the puck there as a passer or skater. 

Lakovic is a true dual-threat offensive player. He could be the steal of the first round if he continues to be the fast, skilled forward he’s been while adding a touch of physicality. 

In Round 2, Washington added Milton Gastrin from Sweden. He’s a strong, intelligent player who projects as a center long-term thanks to his facilitation ability and defensive IQ. He already plays the game with pro habits, which has allowed him to be a serviceable bottom-six forward in the Swedish League already when he got a cup of coffee. Gastrin has shown some flashes of higher-end skill, and if that ever becomes a bit more consistent, he could play as a second-line center in a pinch.

Third-round pick Maxim Schafer is a high-motor player who must refine his skill with the puck to reach his full potential. Schafer loves to get in on the forecheck and crash the net. He likes to get involved physically all over the ice and pushes himself to be a nuisance on the backcheck as well. He should get a more consistent look at the men’s level in Germany next season where he will look to build on his skill.

Jackson Crowder is built to be a bottom-six, crash-and-bang forward who makes life difficult on his opponents. His skating will need work, and he isn’t much of an offensive player, but he is always looking to be the hardest worker on the ice. He doesn’t have the upside that you look for in a top-six player, but his brute force is something NHL teams value. 

The Capitals finished their draft class by adding 6-foot-4 bruising blueliner Aron Dahlqvist. He tracks play well and finishes all of his checks with force. He protects the net front quite well, doing a good job of keeping his goalie’s sightlines clean. Dahlqvist uses his length to close space and knock pucks free with his stick. Dalhqvist is a meat-and-potatoes defender coaches will love. 

Strengths

Adding Lakovic at the draft to go with Cristall and Miroshnichenko gave the Capitals a trio of really solid and diversely skilled left wingers who could all play in the top six one day. 

Cristall is the all-out offensive skilled player who can score and pass at a high-end level. 

Miroshnichenko is the power forward of the trio, using his blend of strength and skill. 

Lakovic is a raw ball of clay with incredible skill and speed as well as a 6-foot-4 frame to build on, and he could have the highest upside of the three. 

Beyond them, Alexander Suzdalev and Ludwig Persson are interesting players in their own right. The Capitals’ face of the franchise for the past two decades is a left winger, so it’s almost poetic that the left wing is the strength of their pipeline. 

Weaknesses

The Capitals have quietly built their prospect pool up to a respectable level, especially for a contender. After years of having one of the worst pipelines in the league, they have some solid prospects. 

One glaring weak spot is the right wing. 

Despite 2024 first-round pick Terik Parascak playing on the right side, the Capitals such a lack of talent at right wing that they traded for Justin Sourdif, who struggled to establish himself as an NHL option in the Florida Panthers’ system. Sourdif has become one of Washington’s more promising prospects on the right wing despite being on his last legs as a prospect at 23 years old. That said, if you’re going to have a weak point, the wing isn’t a bad spot to have it.

Hidden Gem: Ryan Chesley, D

After three solid years of development at the University of Minnesota, wearing the ‘C’ in his final NCAA campaign, Ryan Chesley signed his entry-level contract and joined AHL Hershey to finish last season. 

Chesley is a physical blueliner who defends with his stick first before closing with his body. He isn’t a flashy player, but he moves well and understands how to make the right play at the right time. He doesn’t get beaten often. 

His confidence with the puck also grew last year, becoming a serviceable puck-mover and facilitator from the blueline.

Heading into his first full pro season. Chesley should be one of Hershey’s better blueliners in the defensive zone.

Next Man Up: Ryan Leonard, RW

When Leonard finished his college season and signed his entry-level contract, he made an impact almost immediately. 

Leonard was fast, physical and meshing with his teammates on and off of the ice. Leonard only ended up with a single goal in his nine-game stint to end the regular season before adding an assist in the playoffs, but his 200-foot play and instant injection of intensity was something Washington loved. 

Coming into this season, Leonard will have a full summer of training after seeing what the NHL had to offer, and he should be able to hit the ground running. Leonard should be one of the Calder favorites heading into next season.

Prospect Depth Chart Notables

LW: Lynden Lakovic, Andrew Cristall, Ivan Miroshnichenko, Alexander Suzdalev, Ludwig Persson

C: Milton Gastrin, Ilya Protas, Patrick Thomas, Jackson Crowder, Miroslav Satan

RW: Terik Parascak, Justin Sourdif, Henrik Rybinski, Graeme Clarke

LD: Cole Hutson, Leon Muggli, Aron Dahlqvist, David Gucciardi

RD: Cam Allen, Vincent Iorio, Ryan Chesley, Brent Johnson

G: Garin Bjorklund, Chase Clark, Nicholas Kempf, Antoine Keller

For a deeper dive into the prospect pool with player rankings, check out the Yearbook and Future Watch editions of The Hockey News in print.