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A pair of top St. Louis Blues prospects are entering the final stages of their preparation for their rookie AHL seasons with the Springfield Thunderbirds, and strong prospect camp performances from Theo Lindstein and Juraj Pekarcik should allow them to carry the momentum. 

The Blues participated in the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase, beating the Minnesota Wild in the opener and dropping their second game in overtime to the Chicago Blackhawks. There was a lot to like on several fronts, including strong play from the Blues' highly rated prospects.

Among the Blues' prospects were five first-round picks, each affecting the games in numerous ways. Otto Stenberg finished with one goal and two assists, Dalibor Dvorsky scored the opening goal in Game 1, Justin Carbonneau scored the game-winner against the Wild and added an assist, Adam Jiricek notched a goal and an assist, and Theo Lindstein was a two-way force.

The Blues have high expectations for their first-round draft picks, and in an event where they needed to stand out, they did just that. 

But now, standing out will become an increasingly difficult task. 

Lindstein will feel that pressure more than most as he makes the highly anticipated jump to North American professional hockey. The 20-year-old defenseman was selected with the 29th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, and after a successful seasons in the SHL and with Sweden at the world juniors, it's time for him to embark on his Blues career. 

"That's the next step," Lindstein said at this past season's development camp. "I'm going to come over for camp here in September and do my best here and see what happens. Let's see after camp what happens," said Lindstein back in July during development camp. "It's the third time here and just try to be myself, bring everything in, get to know all the guys that are different here for every year. It's fun to be here. I get to see all the staff and get to know them better, also."

Plenty of excitement surrounds the 6-foot-1, 180-pound left-handed defender. He's a smooth skater, using his feet to be effective while defending and as a puck-mover. His high-end two-way abilities could emulate the success Cam Fowler and Philip Broberg have sustained in St. Louis. 

It will be an adjustment for Lindstein, and patience will be the repeated word, but his skillset should translate in the next stages of his career. 

Also making the jump to the next level is 2023 third-round pick (76th overall) Juraj Pekarcik. The 20-year-old forward has looked great in consecutive seasons, taking on different challenges in both. In 2023-24, Pekarcik dominated the USHL, scoring nine goals and 59 points in 43 games with the Dubuque Fighting Saints. This past season witnessed Pekarcik play in the QMJHL, notching 24 goals and 67 points in 53 games with the Moncton Wildcats.

Standing 6-foot-1, 183 pounds, Pekarcik is a pure playmaker, and put it on display at the rookie showcase. He finished with two assists in two games, including a marker on Stenberg's goal against the Blackhawks.

The assist showed what makes Pekarcik special. The Blues stole the puck from the Blackhawks, and Pekarcik flew down the left wing. Using his edges, he avoided a check and attempted a cross-ice pass. When the pass failed, Pekarcik stayed with the puck and found Stenberg open in front of the net. 

Pekarcik's North American and professional experience could help him in his transition to the AHL.

"I feel like I've grown a lot," said Pekarcik at the Blues' 2025 development camp. "I improved a lot of things in my game. The coaches there in Moncton helped me a lot, really a lot. I improved in the D-zone most probably. That's what I needed the most. I'm trying to improve everything. My shots on goal. Last year I had nine goals, this (past) year I had 24, so I think I improved that. I'm so happy for it. Yeah, it was a great move. It was. It was my agent and St. Louis Blues' decision, and I was so happy for it. It was a great year for me, great year."

Linstein and Pekarcik headline the newcomers for the Thunderbirds, but the list continues with names such as Jakub Stancl and Quinton Burns. The Thunderbirds will be an exciting team to watch next season with Dvorsky, Lindstein, Pekarcik, and Stenberg set to take on large roles. 

Luchanko scrimmages, Bonk aka Happy Gilmore and more from Flyers rookie camp originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

VOORHEES, N.J. — Some of the Flyers’ big club took the ice Monday morning before the prospects had their second-to-last day of rookie training camp.

The Flyers open main camp later this week and the preseason in six days. We’ll get into that and more below.

‘He definitely belongs’

A good development was Jett Luchanko’s presence in Monday’s informal scrimmage for the big club.

The 19-year-old center has been held out of rookie camp for precautionary reasons. He missed development camp in July because of a groin issue.

Luchanko, who is expected to be available at the start of main camp, broke loose for a breakaway goal Monday.

“He has been dealing with a couple of things,” Flyers director of player development Riley Armstrong said. “It’s good to see him back out on the ice there. … He showed some pretty good bursts of speed and some hands. He definitely belongs. I would love to see him push for a spot out of camp. It’s kind of day by day to see what he does over the next couple of weeks, with the preseason games and things like that, to see where he lands.”

The 2024 first-round pick was the biggest surprise of last year’s camp, making the Flyers’ season-opening roster not even two months after turning 18. He got a four-game taste of the NHL before returning to junior hockey.

He has an outside shot to crack the Flyers’ season-opening roster again. If he doesn’t, he’ll head back to the OHL’s Guelph Storm and should play for Team Canada again at the IIHF World Junior Championship.

“That’s something that the guys above me will probably discuss and figure out and then probably loop me into those conversations as a decision is made,” Armstrong said. “I think for the most part, it’s seeing what he does out here and we’ll kind of build out his landscape from there.”

‘Just eat until you’re sick’

Oliver Bonk had a simple and succinct explanation for how he added 15 pounds this summer.

“Just eat until you’re sick,” he said with a smile last Thursday. “No, seriously, you do. You just work out and skate, but it’s more about just downing calories, as many as you can. Just nonstop eating pretty much.”

The 20-year-old defenseman noted how he ate “so much” of Jersey Mike’s Subs this summer while in Voorhees, New Jersey. Apparently he also enjoyed it up in London, Ontario, where he played his junior hockey, even doing a promotional video.

“I noticed his commercial with Jersey Mike’s,” Armstrong said with a laugh. “I thought he was Happy Gilmore doing Subway commercials.”

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After being held out of the two rookie games over the weekend for maintenance reasons, Bonk was back on the ice Monday for practice. The 2023 first-rounder is turning pro this season and the improved size should help.

“I really do think it’s good,” Armstrong said. “And he put on good weight; it wasn’t like it was just sloppy weight. He put on some strong muscle mass.

“He didn’t get to play in the couple of games, so I’m really looking forward to him kind of getting out against the big boys and seeing how he can use that mass, that strength and that weight when he’s in those battles in the corner or boxing a guy out at the net front.”

Bonk won a lot with the OHL’s London Knights.

“He’s a great kid,” Armstrong said. “He’s up there probably in my top five.”

Big club tidbits

Tyson Foerster, who is expected to be ready for the Oct. 9 season opener, continued to skate in non-contact fashion Monday. But after the Flyers’ scrimmage, the 23-year-old winger did test things out with some physical reps along the boards against Cam York.

Foerster had surgery this offseason on his elbow to address an infection.

Tyson Foerster trying out contact here with Cam York as some staff supervises. pic.twitter.com/3Oo30nNjTM

— Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) September 15, 2025

In the scrimmage, Trevor Zegras put a couple of slick moves on display for a breakaway goal.

“He’s just a unique player,” York said in July. “There are guys in the league that have skill and then there are guys that have elite skill. I would say he’s in that elite category. The organization, the fans should all be super excited because he’s a guy that can definitely get you out of your seat at a game.”

Trevor Zegras with a slick move and finish as Flyers’ big club guys scrimmage before training camp starts this week. pic.twitter.com/UF7VUtp7Pi

— Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) September 15, 2025

The Florida Panthers wrapped up the 2025 Prospects Showcase in Wesley Chapel, Florida. With less than a week from actual preseason games, there was still business to take care of in the Gulf Coast. Panthers Prospect capped off the final game with a dominant win over the Nashville Predators, 6-0 taking their record to 2-1 for the weekend.

Florida got on the scoring quickly while on the forecheck. Sandis Vilmanis forced a turnover, and the loose puck found Gracyn Sawchyn in the low slot where he dropped it off Vilmanis, and gave Florida the early 1-0 lead 23 seconds into the contest.

It did not take long for the Cats to add on to their lead. A dump and chase worked to perfection as they got their forecheck going again, this time it was defenseman Ludvig Jansson who picked the puck up in the low slot and wasted no time converting past Predators goaltender Jakub Milota at 6:06 of the first.

Minutes before the period ended, Vilmanis was shaken up after colliding at the end boards after going on a solo breakaway after forcing a steal at the Panthers blue line. He would not return to the game.

After the Panthers killed off a penalty, Liam McKlinskey was next to get on the board. He received a long stretch pass from Eamon Powell. McKlinskey got behind the Predators defense, and easily finished the breakaway opportunity at 12:42 of the second period.

The scoring did not stop as Powell received the pass at the point on a low-to-high play from Jack Devine, and his slap shot took a bounce and in 14:48 into the second frame.

Cooper Black completed the 40 minutes not allowing a goal, as showcase invite Louis-Antoine Denault finished off the final 20 minutes.

Just like the first period, the Panthers scored quickly into the third, as Cristophe Tellier finished a breakaway opportunity to make it 5-0 18 seconds in.

It was already a demolition, and it continued just minutes later as Robert Mastosimone used his edge work to get around the Predators defense to be first to the puck in the corner. After working it back to Josh Davies, his shot was deflected off of Masrosimone to pile it on at 1:47 of the third.

The shutout came to an end as the Panthers failed to clear their zone, with a broken stick from Shea Busch, made it more difficult to clear, with the Predators continuing their offensive zone pressure, Nashville retrieved the puck, where shot was originally saved by Denault, but Cole O’Hara cleaned up the loose change to make it 6-1.

Both teams went to a five round shootout following the game, where neither team in any of the five rounds scored.

That’s a wrap from Wesley Chapel as the Panthers gave the Predators their only loss of the tournament. Florida went 2-1 themselves, defeating Carolina, and dropping Saturday’s game to Tampa Bay.

Panthers will meet the media on Wednesday for Media day right before hitting the ice for their first official training camp practice this Thursday in Fort Lauderdale.

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The Philadelphia Flyers are set to kick off training camp in only a few days, and some of their top prospects are already positioning themselves well for strong seasons.

One more day of practice remains for rookie camp, with Thursday marking the official beginning of training camp.

Defenseman Oliver Bonk returned to the ice with his fellow Flyers prospects Monday, participating in positional drills alongside Hunter McDonald.

Monday's session was mostly nondescript apart for a few drills that saw a combination of forwards and defensemen battle with each other defending and creating off the cycle, starting with retrieving the puck from a corner sent by the coaching staff.

A number of players stayed out late to work on their passing and shooting, including Spencer Gill, Nikita Grebenkin, and Jack Nesbitt.

Grebenkin and Nesbitt were the last two on the ice and cleaned up all the pucks; Grebenkin chipped the pucks up into the air and Nesbitt knocked them down out of the air into the bag.

A nice bonding moment for two of the Flyers' most promising prospects, some would say.

Flyers Prospects Shine in Rookie Camp Day 1, Challenged to 'Make an Impression'The Philadelphia Flyers prospects took the ice Thursday to kick off rookie camp, with the top dogs gaining a big head-start and leading the way.

Speaking of Grebenkin and Nesbitt, they were two players who stood out in the eyes of Flyers director of player development Riley Armstrong over the weekend, which featured two rookie series games against the New York Rangers.

"A lot of the guys did what I thought they were going to do. It was good to see them play at that level against other high-end prospects," Armstrong said Monday.

"Denver Barkey, Alex Bump, Grebenkin, [Jacob Gaucher], Gendron, all those guys... you want them to take that step and kind of dominate, and I thought the Friday night game they definitely did that. I thought it was awesome to see all that type of stuff going on, playmaking, the skill really came through."

Grebenkin, 22, finished the weekend with an overtime game-winning goal and two primary assists, while Nesbitt, even though not as productive, was active centering the top line of Bump and Samu Tuomaala.

"You could see when he came here, he had that extra jump in his skating on Friday night. I think, Saturday, guys were generally, on both teams, pretty tired. He was dancing out there," Armstrong said of Nesbitt specifically. "He opened my eyes on how poised he was with the puck, and even his skating. I thought his skating kind of took another step from development camp to here."

Armstrong also named Nesbitt as a wildcard to make some noise during preseason and training camp, even if it's overwhelmingly likely the 18-year-old spends more time in the junior ranks and, perhaps soon, the NCAA circuit.

That says a lot about how the No. 12 overall pick has endeared himself to his peers and coaches in his short time in Philadelphia so far.

"A guy that could surprise, although you know he can go back to junior hockey, would probably be Nesbitt. I really think once he gets out there and starts playing, I think he's going to give himself the best opportunity," Armstrong added. "In the end, probably another year of junior hockey would be best for him, but I really think he's going to really push the envelope. . . He was always at the net mixing it up, pushing guys around, so he kind of has that whole package."

Though he and his line were less effective as a whole Saturday, Tuomaala still forced himself to find a way to make an impact, much to the surprise of Armstrong, who laughed about the Finnish forward's fight.

3 Flyers Prospects with the Most to Prove at 2025 Training CampIf the Philadelphia Flyers are to make any noise in the 2025-26 season, some up-and-coming prospects will need to steal the spotlight and show some progress.

"I was shocked that he dropped the gloves and stayed in there! I thought he was going to skate away, so it was a surprising moment for myself, but I think that's something he has. He has that in him," Armstrong said.

And then came the kicker that will ultimately be the key to Tuomaala's NHL future, be it with the Flyers or another organization.

"I think sometimes he gets away from his game. Whenever he's engaged in the games, he gets more chances to score, his skill pops out a little more, and when he's not playing like that, he kind of just turns into an average player.

"So, it was good to see him come out hitting guys, finishing checks, being on the forecheck. Hopefully he brings that into main camp and back in the conversation here with all the other guys."

The 22-year-old former second-round pick has grappled with injuries the last few seasons, which undoubtedly has adversely affected his consistency and growth as a player.

Tuomaala does have an intriguing package of speed and skill, though it's unlikely he gets to take full advantage of that in Philadelphia with the talent the Flyers have on the wings, starting with players like Matvei Michkov, Tyson Foerster, Travis Konecny, and Porter Martone.

Like last season, Tuomaala will need to have an impressive fall to get back on the radar, and he's plenty capable.

So far, he and the Flyers' other top prospects have done more than enough to justify their hype in rookie camp and beyond.

It is no secret that the New Jersey Devils have two star centers leading their forward group in Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. Both players are major difference-makers, and they have now been rewarded because of it. 

Both Hughes and Hischier made the NHL Network's latest Top 50 Players Right Now list. Hughes secured the No. 31 spot on the NHL Network's rankings, while Hischier was behind at the No. 40 spot. 

Jack Hughes has 243 points over his last 202 games, and he's back on our Top 50 Players Right Now list! @NJDevils | #NHLTopPlayerspic.twitter.com/Sqgdpu7Ng4

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) September 14, 2025

Seeing Hughes once again make the NHL Network's list is not too surprising, as he once again had a strong year with the Devils in 2024-25. In 62 games on the year, the 24-year-old recorded 27 goals, 43 assists, 70 points, and a plus-12 rating. 

While Hughes made the NHL Network's list again, he did drop a few spots from last year. This is because he was given the No. 20 spot in last year's rankings. 

Nico Hischier is back on our Top 50 Players Right Now list! @NJDevils | #NHLTopPlayerspic.twitter.com/bqff6GmOTJ

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) September 14, 2025

Hischier, on the other hand, scored a career-high 35 goals and recorded 69 points in 75 games this past season with the Devils. Given the year he just had, it is entirely understandable that he has made the NHL Networks' Top 50 Players Right Now list for this year after not making it this past year. 

The Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase is in the books. The Chicago Blackhawks took down the St. Louis Blues on Saturday with a 3-2 overtime win. They followed that up with a loss to the Minnesota Wild on Sunday. 

One player who stood out above the rest is forward Nick Lardis. Chicago selected Lardis in the 3rd round, 67th overall, of the 2023 NHL Draft. 

After dominating the OHL last year with 71 goals, he is already off to a good start this season as he looks to translate to pro hockey. 

After their final practice before leaving for the showcase, Lardis was asked about the thing that he needs to continue working on beyond this event and into training camp. 

"Compete. That's a big thing they talk about, something I really want to keep consistent at is the compete level, whether it's in the defensive zone offensive zone. Making sure I'm consistent at that"

Keeping the compete level and effort where it needs to be is a key to succeeding in pro hockey. For Lardis, it seems to be at the top of his mind as he now enters the next phase of his hockey career. 

Once the games began, Lardis was one of the most noticeable players on the ice at all times. He didn't score a goal, but he played a key role in creating chances and making the team better. 

After Oliver Moore scored the game-winner in the first game against the St. Louis Blues, he credited Lardis for drawing up the play that won the Blackhawks the game. 

“[Lardis] said he’s done it like six times in Brantford, so I’m gonna trust the 70-goal scorer.” 

On the 3-on-3 play, Lardis made a breakout pass that set up a power move for Moore to score on as he cut around the defender to beat the goalie for the win. Not only did Lardis create the play, he was a key factor in it being executed on the ice. 

Lardis's offensive IQ is impressive, and it doesn't just lead to him scoring goals himself. He can make plays as well. These skills, if they can translate to the NHL, will make him an effective forward for a long time. 

Now, Lardis is set for his training camp, which will invite a lot of eyes on him. He is likely to start the year in the AHL with the Rockford IceHogs, but he will be given a chance to make the team out of camp with his play. 

The Blackhawks will get to see what he looks like with all of the roster players around him regularly. This is the type of setting that will determine the plan for him, but the early signs are great. 

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

MILTON, Ont. —Nicolas Roy has been in Toronto for three weeks working with some of his new Toronto Maple Leafs teammates and has been impressed with everyone he has skated with. But one player in particular caught his eye.

"Morgan Rielly's been buzzing in those skates," Roy said. "I wasn't there before. I've seen him, played against him, but he's been a really good player."

The Maple Leafs are hoping their top-pair defenseman, who is the longest-tenured player in Toronto and entering his 13th season, can take a leap. Outside of that, Toronto’s defense is mostly set, with much of the big moves at the position being addressed last season.

This season, the Maple Leafs' focus is on the depth they added, particularly after Mitch Marner’s departure for Las Vegas. Roy was the key piece in a sign-and-trade with the Vegas Golden Knights and he is looking forward to bringing his Stanley Cup-winning skillset from Vegas to the Maple Leafs.

"I can bring the skillset that helped me win a Stanley Cup," Roy said speaking ahead of the club's annual charity golf tournament on Monday. "PK, power play, different things in the game. So, yeah, I'm definitely going to try to help the team win."

'My Favorite Player Growing Up Was Mats Sundin' Nicolas Roy Reacts To Be Traded To Maple Leafs In Mitch Marner DealNic Roy was on a trip with family and friends when he found out that he was being traded from the Vegas Golden Knights to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

While there is a certain pressure that comes with playing in the NHL, Roy will get his first taste of playing in a market that demands more of his time, like Toronto—something the native of Quebec has no problem with.

"It'll be different for sure. Big market, Canada," Roy admitted. "I mean, it's always nice to have a little pressure. That's what you play for. So it'll be different, but I'll enjoy it for sure. Having that pedigree in the playoffs, we've been there for multiple years. You don't want to be too high, too low. I've been there. So, I mean, this team's been there too. But I know what I can bring in the playoffs to help this team win. So, I'm excited for that."

Roy said he’s had some conversations with new head coach Craig Berube about where he'll fit in. For a player who moved around a bit in Vegas’ lineup, it sounds like the coach will rely on some of that same versatility.

"A little bit of the same thing I had in Vegas, I guess. Playing in different roles," Roy said. "Can play power play, PK. But I guess we'll see where it's at. But, yeah, I had a really good conversation with him."

Maple Leafs camp is set to open with medicals on Wednesday and first on-ice sessions on Thursday.

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Exploring key moments from the Detroit Red Wings Prospect Showcase with the Dallas Stars this past weekend, including standout performances, areas in need of improvement and future roster implications. 

The Detroit Red Wings split their two-game Prospect Showcase with the Dallas Stars in Frisco, Texas and provided some interesting topics for fans to explore, heading into training camp later this week on Thursday. 

The first game saw an offensive frenzy with four unanswered goals from the Red Wings as they topped the Stars 6-2 on Saturday. Game two on Sunday was a different story however, as Detroit found themselves down early after giving up a goal in the first minute of the game. They managed to climb out of a 2-0 hole before blowing a two-goal lead themselves when up 4-2 entering the third period. They would go on to lose 6-5 with the offense still showing bright spots. 

Detroit's lineup for the showcase consisted of several big name prospects like three first round picks including Nate Danielson (9th overall, 2023), defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka (17th overall, 2023), right winger Michael Brandsegg-Nygård (15th overall, 2024).  Some rising prospects like Amadeus Lombardi (4th round, 2022), Shai Buium (2nd round, 2021) and Emmitt Finnie (7th round, 2023) all had impressive performances. 

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

Red Wings 2025 Prospect Showcase Player Stats (two games): 

Shai Buium - 2G, 1A

Amadeus Lombardi - 1G, 4A

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard - 1G, 3A 

Alexandre Doucet - 1G, 2A

Nate Danielson - 1G, 1A

Axel Sandin-Pellikka - 1G, 1A

Ondrej Becher - 1G, 1A 

Carson Bantle - 1G, 1A

Emmitt Finnie - 1G

Liam Kilfoil - 1G

Justice Christensen - 1A

Vincent Collard - 1A

Will Murphy - 1A

Detroit Red Wings Unveil New Centennial JerseysThe Detroit Red Wings revealed special third jerseys on Monday to celebrate their Centennial season. 

Lombardi, Buium Set to Crack Main Roster? 

The most notable name for Detroit to come out of the showcase is Lombardi after playing a key role in three of the Red Wings' five goals on Sunday, it was hard to miss the 22-year-old forward. After playing in 116 games in the AHL with the Griffins and posting a near point-per-game average last season with 40 points in 44 games, it was expected that Lombardi would be contending for a spot with the Red Wings at training camp. 

AMMO!

2-0, #REDWINGS! pic.twitter.com/Wh8oVRfBJo

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 14, 2025

His performance in the showcase only reminded management that they have a player who is too good for junior competition and will likely be a top player in the AHL once again. We could see an approach with Lombardi similar to Red Wings winger Elmer Soderblom last season, who played 38 games with the Griffins as well as 26 games up with the Red Wings. 

Buium on the other hand, may have an opportunity to carve out a meaningful role. The Red Wings struggled on backend last season with a bottom 12 defense in the league. They got some help in the crease when trading for former all-star goaltender John Gibson but more adds on the blueline are needed. They took a lottery ticket on former first round pick Jacob Benard-Docker but besides the former Senator, the Red Wings didn't make any meaningful adds with their unit and could lead to opportunities for AHL defenseman like Buium. 

AND BUIUM!

4-0, #REDWINGS! pic.twitter.com/PyCgWePsdM

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 14, 2025

Last season, the San Diego native posted a 25 points in 67 games with Griffins assistant coach Brian Lashoff telling the Hockey News that he regularly relied on Buium and routinely gave him bigger minutes than most.  If he can show that his game translates to the NHL after spending the offseason training with his brother Zeev, who made a significant leap to the NHL with the Minnesota Wild last season and even earned power play time, Buium might be able to establish himself as a regular in Detroit sooner than expected. 

Exclusive: Red Wings Prospect Shai Buium Eyes NHL Roster Spot: “Make It a Hard Decision”Red Wings prospect Shai Buium reflects on his journey from NCAA champion to AHL standout in exclusive interview with The Hockey News.

Sandin-Pellikka Needs More Time For Defense

One of the key focuses for fans and coaches entering the Prospect Showcase was looking out for Sandin-Pellikka's defense. It has been a widely-discussed topic as fans are worried that his offensive talent is top-tier but his defensive game needs improvement. In the second game of the Showcase, this was more evident. Sandin-Pellikka was given chances to shut down incoming fastbreak chances like on the Stars first goal.

Nifty move by Jaxon Fuder 👇@DallasStars | @Rebelshockey#TexasHockeypic.twitter.com/0GOYcAnzI1

— Victory+ (@victoryplustv) September 14, 2025

After a teammate turned the puck over in the Detroit zone, Sandin-Pellikka attempted to cut off the attacking forward. However, the opponent made a quick move, pulling the puck back and slipping past him before burying a low shot past the goaltender. Given the situation, with limited space to cut inside, the smarter play would have been a stick check, as the forward's only option was to cut across and go high, which he did. 

Sandin-Pellikka failed to anticipate the move, couldn’t match the Stars forward’s shift in direction, and it resulted in enough space for a clean scoring chance in the high slot. It's a small play and the turnover wasn't his fault that he was put in that situation but an NHL defenseman would've gotten off a better stick check in that situation to mitigate the chances of a clean shot getting off. 

Positioning and situational awareness is something he can continue to develop in the AHL this upcoming season. The last thing management will want is to call him up too early where his defensive skills aren't up to standard and he turns into a Shayne Gostisbehere-type defender in a bottom pairing role. 

Danielson's Big Minutes in Multiple Roles

The team relied on Danielson in multiple roles as a top-line center, penalty killer, and power play contributor who consistently won key faceoffs. Despite being on for two goals against, Danielson made a strong impact throughout the game and responded by scoring one of his own with his quick release was on full display with a top-shelf goal in the second game of the Showcase. 

Danielson puts us up 4-2! pic.twitter.com/eLP40FlWa6

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 15, 2025

His ability to contribute in all situations, including the penalty kill, improves his chances of making the roster. That versatility could allow him to slot in alongside another former ninth overall pick in Michael Rasmussen. Proving he can be effective in an all-around role only strengthens his case to earn a spot on the Red Wings.

Exclusive: Red Wings Top Prospect Nate Danielson Focused on Cracking NHL RosterRed Wings top prospect Nate Danielson explains main goal is to make main roster in exclusive interview with The Hockey News. 

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The upcoming 2025-26 season could see a handful of talented defensemen transition to full-time NHL roles. 

Some of these blueliners are simply growing, maturing and improving all the way to NHL consideration. Others may benefit from a change of scenery, opening themselves up to an opportunity that might not have been possible in another organization.

Here are three AHL D-men to break into the NHL for this coming season.

Logan Mailloux, St. Louis Blues

Following a solid campaign with the Laval Rocket last year in the Montreal Canadiens organization, Logan Mailloux was traded to the St. Louis Blues, and there’s no sign of him suiting up for the Springfield Thunderbirds.

All signs point to Mailloux playing in his first full NHL season after the Blues acquired the 22-year-old for Zack Bolduc on July 1.

The right-handed D-man has played two full AHL seasons since he was drafted by the Canadiens in 2021, with a handful of NHL games mixed in. Last season, he made 63 appearances for the Rocket, scoring 12 goals and 33 points. The season before that, he registered 14 goals and 47 points in 72 games.

His NHL experience is light, with a total of nine games and five points to his name. But his experience in The Show should be a lot higher at this time next year.

Luca Cagnoni, San Jose Barracuda

Despite being a fourth-round pick by the San Jose Sharks in the 2023 draft, Luca Cagnoni has been a pleasant surprise for the organization thus far. As a rookie in the AHL with the San Jose Barracuda last year, Cagnoni scored 16 goals and 52 points in 64 outings. He finished tied for third in scoring among all AHL defensemen.

The 5-foot-9 blueliner may have a small frame, but he has proven to be a dynamic player who has a notable offensive impact at different levels. He played six games with the Sharks last year, recording two assists. But it was in junior when he might’ve turned some heads.

Following his draft year, Cagnoni had an offensive explosion in his final season with the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks. He led all CHL defensemen in scoring for that 2023-24 season, recording 18 goals and 72 assists for 90 points. 

If Cagnoni can keep up that scoring pace, he could earn consistent NHL time with the Sharks at some point next season.

Blue Jackets’ Jet Greaves To Challenge For Starting Gig: AHL Goaltenders To Make The ShowThe goaltender is arguably the most important position in hockey. It is believed that without a great goalie between the pipes, a team has little chance of winning silverware, let alone hoisting the Stanley Cup.

Tristan Luneau, San Diego Gulls

The final defenseman on this list is Tristan Luneau of the San Diego Gulls and Anaheim Ducks. After a handful of games between the AHL and NHL in 2023-24, Luneau played a full season with the Gulls last year.

In 59 games, Luneau scored nine goals and 43 assists for 52 points, equalling Cagnoni’s total for the third most by a D-man in the AHL, also as a rookie. 

Luneau’s chances to crack the Ducks roster are a little tougher than the rest of the defensemen on this list. Anaheim has an abundance of young blueliners, including Pavel Mintyukov, Jackson LaCombe, Olen Zellweger and Drew Helleson.

However, it’s not impossible for Luneau, as the 21-year-old played a total of 13 NHL games across the last two seasons. Only time will tell if he can rise Anaheim’s depth chart and become a full-time NHLer.

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