The New Jersey Devils will be looking to take another step in the right direction in 2025-26 after getting back into the playoffs this past spring. They certainly have a good-looking roster on paper, as they have big-time stars in Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Jesper Bratt leading the charge.

Yet, the Devils have some players who could be nice surprises for them in 2025-26, too. Let's discuss two of them now. 

Cody Glass

Cody Glass proved to be a solid fit after the Devils acquired him from the Pittsburgh Penguins at the 2025 NHL trade deadline. In 14 games with the Devils following the trade, he posted two goals, seven points, and a plus-4 rating. This was after he had just four goals in 15 points in 51 games with the Penguins before the trade.

Clearly, the move to the Devils benefited Glass, and it is going to be interesting to see if he can build off it in 2025-26. The potential for the 2017 first-round pick to be a strong part of the Devils' top nine is there if he can tap into his offensive potential a bit more next season. 

Thomas Bordeleau 

Earlier this off-season, the Devils acquired forward Thomas Bordeleau from the San Jose Sharks. While this was one of the smaller moves the Devils made this summer, fans should not sleep on Bordeleau. He has shown in the past that he can produce at the NHL level, and it will be interesting to see if the change of scenery benefits him, like it did Glass. 

Bordeleau showed promise with the Sharks during the 2023-24 season, specifically, as he recorded six goals and 11 points in 27 games. If he gets the chance to play on the Devils' NHL roster, the 23-year-old could give them their solid secondary scoring, which is a real need. 

New Devils Projected Top Six Has Interesting LookThe New Jersey Devils certainly have some decisions to make when it comes to their NHL roster. After bringing in multiple new players, there should be plenty of competition during training camp. This is especially so when noting that they also have young players who should be competing for spots, too. 

New York Islanders forward Maxim Tsyplakov sat down for an interview with The Slippery Ice program, and he touched on a lot. 

ЦЫПЛАКОВ | Из-за Овечкина остановили игру, Разборки со Спартаком, Штрафы в НХЛ | ЛЕДИнтервью с Максимом Цыплаковым: переход в НХЛ, адаптация в «Айлендерс», жизнь в США. Максим делится историей отказа от контракта со «Спартаком», выбором «Айл...

With the help of Hockey News Hub, here's some of the tranlsation from the interview: 

Why did Tsyplakov choose the Islanders?

“I had offers from Boston, Vegas, and Florida, but with the Islanders I saw the best chance to actually play — not just 5–7 minutes a game."

“They told me they saw me with Palmieri and Nelson. At first I didn't believe it, but then I was really playing on that line."

Tsyplakov also made a note that he wasn't chasing a dream to come to the NHL and would have stayed in Russia had Spartak offered him a fair team. 

What was his first NHL season like?

“I scored in my very first game — over 21 minutes of ice time. I was exhausted."

"The NHL game is different. It's more direct - everything forward, no risky passes. At first it felt robotic compared to Russia."

“I proved to myself I can play at this level.”

Tsyplakov wished he had scored more than 10 goals, but said that he saw a lot of growth in his game and is hopeful that he can make more of an impact on the scoresheet in year two. 

Lamoriello & Fines

"Lou Lamoriello is strict - clean shave, dress code, everything. But I actually like that kind of discipline."

“I got fined around $15,000 after my suspension — that money goes into a league fund. It stings.”

“Fines for small things in the locker room are $500. You learn quickly.”

Tsyplakov was fined and suspended for his hit against Philadelphia Flyers forward Ryan Peopling back on Jan. 16. 

“I still don't fully understand why I was suspended. To me, it was a clean hit.”

“The team supported me. Lou said, 'Better not to fight this one, so they don't target you later.'”

“My mistake was not fighting right away — then the guys kept coming after me.”

"In Philly, they kept cross-checking and chirping all game. Finally I dropped the gloves with Lawton. We wrestled more than punched, but at least it was done."

“Matt Martin gave me advice - who you can fight, who you shouldn't. That helped."

On his teammates:

“I asked if I could play music in the room. They said no. I put it on anyway - same as I did in Spartak.”

“Sorokin sold me out — he told everyone I blasted my playlist on day two.” (laughs)

“Palmieri, Bailey, Cizikas, Clutterbuck — the older guys all help. Having Russian guys like Sorokin, Romanov, and Varlamov also made it easier.”

Adapting to a new way of life:

“My English isn't perfect, but I studied with a tutor and forced myself to talk to foreign teammates. It gets easier.”

My wife had it harder - she didn't know English at first. Luckily, we found Russian-speaking neighbors with kids the same age."

“We rented a place, didn't buy. With a rookie contract, you don't know if you'll stay.”

"American food is so greasy. At first, it was uncomfortable. In Moscow, you get small portions - in New York, they bring a bucket of salad."

“I miss buckwheat and dumplings — we'd drive to Brighton Beach for Russian groceries."

On Patrick Roy: 

"Patrick Roy can be fiery. He once screamed at me for a mistake in the last 30 seconds of a period. He said, 'In the last five minutes, no risks — just dump it in.' I learned quickly.”

"The hardest thing was the long preseason — I felt overtrained before camp even started. Then came Roy's brutal conditioning drills. My legs were dead."

“Compared to Jamnov, Roy is more emotional and explosive.”

"Kovalchuk worked with me a lot in Spartak. He taught me how to create space near the boards and how to change tempo - slow down, then burst past a defender. That helped me in the NHL."

Agency Issues:

“My first agent disappeared after I signed. Didn't help me with housing or anything. Luckily a Russian-speaking friend of Romanov's helped with everything.”

“I later changed agents. Now I have people who actually care.”

Tsyplakov is now represented by Ryan Barnes of Quartex. 

On Facing Ovechkin:

“When Ovechkin scored, the game basically stopped. We just stood there, legs burning, watching. It was special.”

“After the game I shook his hand and told him, 'You're a machine.' It was my first time meeting him.”

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The 2025-26 season is rapidly approaching, and it is going to be interesting to see how the Pittsburgh Penguins perform after their busy off-season. When looking at their current roster, they have some under-the-radar players who could end up being nice surprises for them in 2025-26. Let's discuss two of them. 

Philip Tomasino 

The Penguins acquired Philip Tomasino during this past season after he had a cold start to the campaign with the Nashville Predators. After posting one assist in 11 games with Nashville in 2024-25, Tomasino had 11 goals and 23 points in 50 games with Pittsburgh following the trade. Overall, the 24-year-old had a solid start to his Penguins tenure and will be looking to build off it. 

Tomasino has also shown early on in his career that he has the potential to provide decent offense when playing at his best. Perhaps this will be the year that the 2019 first-round breaks out and cements himself as a true top-six forward.

Justin Brazeau 

Justin Brazeau is a new Penguins forward who fans should not sleep on in 2025-26. The 6-foot-6 winger has shown promise early on in his NHL career, as he can provide decent secondary offense in addition to grit. During this past season, he set career highs with 11 goals, 11 assists, 22 points, and 123 hits in 76 games split between the Boston Bruins and Minnesota Wild. 

When noting that Brazeau is only entering his third NHL season, the possibility of the 27-year-old breaking out should not be ruled. Thus, he could end up being a nice surprise for the Penguins in 2025-26. 

New Penguins Top Six Projection Has Intriguing LookThe Pittsburgh Penguins brought in several new players this off-season, so their lineup will certainly look different next season. They will also have plenty of decisions to make when it comes to assembling their lineup, so they will need to be watched closely during the pre-season.

After their eight-year playoff run ended last season, the Boston Bruins made moves to bolster their roster for a bounce-back performance in 2025-26. 

They acquired right winger Viktor Arvidsson from the Edmonton Oilers and signed free agents Tanner Jeannot, Sean Kuraly, Michael Eyssimont and Jordan Harris. 

Nevertheless, there's speculation suggesting the Bruins might not be done making moves during this off-season. 

RG.Org's James Murphy recently reported Casey Mittelstadt's future in Boston could be in question. The Bruins acquired the 26-year-old center and prospect winger William Zellers from the Colorado Avalanche in the Charlie Coyle deal before the March NHL trade deadline. 

Murphy claimed some observers believe the promising Zellers was the real target for the Bruins as they restock their prospect pool. They wonder if Mittelstadt could be dangled in the trade market at some point. 

If so, it'll mark the third time since March 2024 that Mittelstadt would be on the move. Back then, he was sent to the Avalanche by the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for defenseman Bowen Byram.

The Hockey News’ Michael DeRosa said Mittelstadt is one of the Bruins’ top centers, but he only put up six points and a minus-17 rating in 18 games after last season’s trade. At his age, he has bounce-back potential.

Murphy also indicated that trade rumors have dogged Bruins goaltender Joonas Korpisalo and forward Pavel Zacha since the NHL draft in late June. However, Korpisalo's agent denied that his client was unhappy in Boston and wanted out, while Zacha's representative dismissed the chatter as “just rumors.”

Boston Hockey Now's Andrew Fantucchio dismissed the notion of Mittelstadt or Zacha being shopped this summer. He indicated the Bruins intend to contend for a playoff berth this season, which they can't do by further depleting their depth among their top-six forwards.

DeRosa, however, says it would not be surprising if the Bruins shake up their roster during the season if they struggle again.

NHL Summer Splash Rankings: No. 17, Boston BruinsWe’re now reaching the halfway point of The Hockey News’ NHL summer splash series with the Boston Bruins at No. 17.

Meanwhile, David Staples of the Edmonton Journal cited a recent rumor suggesting the Bruins could be cooking up a deal that would see them ship right winger Fabian Lysell to the Oilers. 

Lysell, 22, was the Bruins' first-round pick in the 2021 draft. However, he's struggled to establish himself as a full-time NHL forward. 

Staples rejected speculation suggesting the Bruins' asking price for Lysell might be promising forward Matthew Savoie or speedy winger Vasily Podkolzin. He doesn't see Lysell as a fit with the Oilers unless he's a ferocious checker like Savoie. 

The move would make sense if the Oilers were attempting to shed Podkolzin's $1-million cap hit. They currently have around $225,000 in cap space. However, acquiring Lysell's $835,000 wouldn't be much of a savings. Sending him to the minors after trading away Podkolzin would leave them thinner up front.

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NHL GMs are under pressure every year to prove they can craft a successful squad.

Every team's GM must ensure they have the pieces in place to compete for a Stanley Cup, whether it's right away or down the line. If their team's stuck in a rut, and they can't prove they can craft a roster, coaching staff and management group that takes the franchise to another level, then it's time to swap them out for someone else.

Some of the five NHL GMs with the most to prove in 2025-26 are undoubtedly on the hot seat, while others might not be at risk of getting fired but do have to show their vision can work.

In alphabetic order, here are five NHL GMs who must prove they're on the right track with their clubs.

Kevyn Adams, Buffalo Sabres

No GM in the NHL has more to prove than Adams, who's held the Sabres job since June 2020.

Instead of ending a lengthy playoff drought, the Sabres have extended it by five years under Adams to a shocking 14.

Not only does Adams have to prove he can build the Sabres into a playoff team, but he also has to prove he can make Buffalo an attractive destination for NHL players. 

That has been a serious challenge for Adams’ predecessors in the Sabres’ front office. Until Buffalo makes the playoffs, it’s going to be an uphill battle for Adams & Co. to convince NHLers the Sabres are a legitimate threat to win the Stanley Cup. 

Adams likely has only this year to get that job done, because if Buffalo fails to make the playoffs for the 15th straight season, someone else will likely be Sabres GM next season. The Sabres are a laughingstock, and nothing less than a post-season appearance will prevent Adams from being dismissed next summer – or sooner.

Kyle Dubas, Pittsburgh Penguins

Dubas has been Penguins GM since June 2023.

While he did prove he could build a championship team at the AHL level by steering the Toronto Marlies to a Calder Cup victory in 2018, he hasn’t done the same thing in the NHL. His five years as Toronto Maple Leafs GM resulted in only one playoff series win – and Pittsburgh has failed to make the playoffs both years under Dubas.

Dubas now has to prove he’s putting the Penguins on the right road to success, including guiding them to a playoff spot in the next season or two and/or setting up the franchise to thrive in the long term. Thus far, Dubas hasn’t achieved either goal, and Pens fans accustomed to consistent playoff runs aren’t going to sit by idly if Pittsburgh’s struggles continue. He has made steps to restock the prospect cupboard, which is a decent start toward looking toward the long term, but there are still veterans he could move and hasn't, which makes it important that they be a competitive squad.

Dubas can still show he’s the right man for the job this upcoming season. But the pressure to achieve something positive is very real, and time will tell whether he’s succeeded in one form or another.

Five NHL Goaltenders With The Most To Prove In 2025-26With the skill level and speed at which the current game is played, NHL goaltenders have struggled to perform at a high level season-to-season.

Bill Guerin, Minnesota Wild

The Wild made the post-season in five of the last six seasons, but winning a round has been another story altogether. They haven't won any in that span, including the qualifying round in 2020. Guerin has to be given credit for running things for the Wild since August 2019, but at the same time, he has yet to make a roster that can go deep in the post-season.

Guerin has the respect of the hockey world – you don’t get named GM of Team USA for the 4 Nations Face-Off and the 2026 Winter Olympics team if you’re not doing a lot of things right. That said, Minnesota fans have been aching to have a Wild team capable of winning a Cup.

Sooner or later, Guerin needs to demonstrate he can be the architect of a team that’s a playoff menace. Securing a contract extension for Kirill Kaprizov and doing something with Marco Rossi would be crucial steps.

Barry Trotz, Nashville Predators

Trotz has enjoyed tremendous success as an NHL coach, winning a Cup with the Washington Capitals in 2017-18. However, he’s still in his early days as a GM in hockey’s top league, rejoining the Predators as GM in 2023. Since then, the Preds have lost in the first round in Trotz’s first year as GM, then missing the playoffs completely last season.

Needless to say, Trotz has to show that last season’s disappointing results were an anomaly, and the Predators can not only make the playoffs in 2025-26 but also do some actual damage once they get there.

As a coach, Trotz has nothing to prove to anyone. But he understands that the Preds haven’t had many long post-season runs in their 26-year history, and he has to show fans the future is bright. 

Right now, the Preds’ future is cloudy. And Trotz’s job is to clear that up and instill a sense of optimism that better days are immediately ahead.

Five NHL Wingers With The Most To Prove In 2025-26As is the case in every NHL season, certain players are coming in with something to prove. Whether it’s to justify a pay raise or a trade or to bounce back from a subpar year, some players have every motivation to improve on their results at any given time.

Steve Yzerman, Detroit Red Wings

Yzerman has a ton of pressure to prove himself in Detroit. The Red Wings have missed the playoffs for the past nine seasons, and although Yzerman has only been GM for six of them, there's not much time left to be patient.

Yzerman’s was an on-ice legend with the Red Wings, and he’s had a lot of trust and time to rebuild the roster and develop a new Stanley Cup contender. But Red Wings fans accustomed to decades of playoff appearances and four Cup wins in the last 30 years are clearly nearing their wits’ end watching this team flail and wail.

Yzerman won’t have much longer to prove to Wings fans that his blueprint for success is working. If there is more misery this coming season, you’d have to think Yzerman’s time running the team will be coming to an end.

If he gets the Red Wings into the playoffs this year, Yzerman buys himself more time. But if Detroit is once again on the outside of the post-season picture looking in, Yzerman will be looking to prove himself a top-tier GM with another organization.

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On Tuesday night, news broke that unrestricted free agent Victor Olofsson was getting close to choosing his team for the 2025-26 season. 

The Hockey News confirmed that the Islanders were not involved in any discussions with Olofsson's camp during the free agent process. 

The #Isles are not involved in this. https://t.co/iqAURd4uQ2

— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) August 20, 2025

Puckpedia shared that they believed he would be signing a one-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche.

UFA F Victor Olofsson is expected to sign with #GoAvsGo for 1 year deal https://t.co/s8qU8unJ8Ahttps://t.co/WjUKCKH5Gm

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) August 20, 2025

For the New York Islanders, Olofsson would have made sense early on in free agency as a player who could help them at 5-on-5, but more importantly on the power play.

He also always seemed to be a player, especially during his time in Buffalo, who would always find the back of the net against the Islanders. He has 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in 22 games against Long Island, the second-highest point total behind his 17 against the New Jersey Devils (seven goals, 10 assists).

However, as free agency progressed, the Islanders brought aboard wingers to bolster all parts of their offense. They have Jonathan Drouin, Maxim Shabanov, and Emil Heineman now, along with a hopefully rejuvenated Anthony Duclair. 

While we don't expect any forward that wasn't on the NHL roster a year ago to push for a roster spot outside of Calum Ritchie, we've touched a lot about the options Patrick Roy has when filling out his lineup card.

Islanders 2025-26 NHL Projected RosterOn Tuesday, NHL.com posted Stefen Rosner's New York Islanders team reset piece. Included in that story was his projected lineup for the 2025-26 season:

That's going to be the biggest thing to watch during training camp. All we know right now is that Drouin will be skating alongside Bo Horvat, and Mathew Barzal will be going back to center-- that's at least the plan. 

Colorado doesn't seem like a great fit for Olofsson, with power-play time going to be hard to come by, but it's never a bad thing to bring in scoring depth, especially on a cheap short-term deal. 

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