As contract negotiations between Kirill Kaprizov and the Minnesota Wild continue, an interesting development is occurring.

One NHL insider hinted on Tuesday that it will be Kaprizov, and not Connor McDavid, that pushes the salary cap ceiling higher in the NHL this summer. 

Kaprizov’s camp has already turned down the richest contract in NHL history. Seravalli questioned why in a recent segment for Bleacher Report. He then noted,  “Who’s going to be that guy that steps up to push the envelope and move it forward for NHL players? It’s probably not going to be Connor McDavid, so it could be someone like [Kaprizov].”

After Kirill Kaprizov reportedly rejected an 8-year, $128 million extension with the Wild, contract discussions are at a standstill 👀

(w/ @frank_seravalli) pic.twitter.com/VRc7Fp6nz4

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) September 16, 2025

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The NHL’s rising salary cap is a leverage point for Kaprizov, who is also using comments from Wild owner Craig Leopold against the organization. Leopold was public in his saying that no team would or could pay Kaprizov more than the Wild. It appears the superstar is holding them to it.

Meanwhile, McDavid is taking his time with his extension, but no one believes this is about money for the captain of the Edmonton Oilers.

In fact, some believe McDavid will opt for a shorter-term deal, one that doesn't set a new record for the total overall value of an extension. Meanwhile, Kaprizov is rumored to be open to an eight-year extension, but he wants better than a record-setting deal. He wants something that maintains strong value as the cap increases exponentially.

Insiders like Seravalli are suggesting Kaprizov could emerge as the next player to push the financial boundaries set by the league's highest-paid players. 

McDavid will remain the game’s top player, but in Minnesota, the Wild are about to pay for how valued Kaprizov is in that market. He is trying to negotiate terms that reflect his elite performance, the league’s financial growth, and what he's worth in the Minnesota market. The standstill between the two sides is his trying to structure and maximize his value.

For McDavid, he's looking at winning and what it's going to take for the Oilers to be competitive. That means taking a little less. 

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When looking back at the past three prospects challenges for the Pittsburgh Penguins - all of which they have won - there is a common denominator.

And his name is Avery Hayes. 

Hayes, 22, continues to impress the organization after being signed to a two-year AHL contract prior to the 2023-24 season. Undrafted, the 5-foot-10, 175-pound right wing registered 23 goals and 42 points in 60 AHL games last season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS), which earned him a two-year entry-level contract with the Penguins this offseason.

And he's been the standout at the past three Prospects Challenges for the Penguins, which includes four goals in three games this time around. 

“I always believed in myself. I always had kind of that confidence about myself," Hayes told Penguins' team reporter Michelle Crechiolo. "But it’s just nice knowing I'm going to be here for a couple more years, hopefully longer."

And if Hayes keeps up what he's doing, his NHL future may not be too far away.

It will certainly be an uphill climb for Hayes to make the NHL roster out of training camp, as there will be a lot of young and veteran forwards competing for few spots on the roster. Forwards like Ville Koivunen, Tristan Broz, Filip Hallander, and Rutger McGroarty - currently on the shelf with an undisclosed injury - will also be vying for the same spots.

But - despite being a bit undersized - Hayes's all-around game makes him an intriguing player. He's good in all three zones, can play in all situations, and isn't afraid to drive the net. He's also a good forechecker.

Some - such as Jesse Marshall of Elite Prospects - have compared him to Penguins' top-six forward Bryan Rust, who has a similar skillset and work ethic, started as a fourth-liner at the NHL level, and worked his way up to the top line - and has now put together six straight seasons of 20 or more goals.

Jesse Marshall (@jmarshfof) on X@pensroadwarrior Agree, I’d even argue there are similarities in play style

Hayes is certainly a player to watch during training camp this season. Even if he doesn't crack the NHL roster initially, don't be surprised to see him skating with the Penguins sometime this season.

There are too many great teams in the NHL for all of them to exceed or match expectations.

Some squads just end up being shockingly disappointing to their fans.

Last season, the Nashville Predators, Vancouver Canucks, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers were just that, missing the playoffs when getting that far was initially a no-brainer.

It’s only natural for a handful of teams to fall short of their pre-season goals, whether that’s being a top team in the NHL, a playoff team or a bubble team.

Here are three NHL teams that could surprise everyone next season – in a bad way.

Los Angeles Kings

The Los Angeles Kings have been a respectable regular-season team, finishing in the top three of the Pacific Division for the last four campaigns. However, they can't get past the first round of the playoffs and the Edmonton Oilers.

This off-season was a great opportunity for the Kings and new GM Ken Holland to leapfrog the Oilers in terms of their roster.

However, there’s a strong belief that Los Angeles didn’t do that, adding D-men Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin, goaltender Anton Forsberg and right wingers Joel Armia and Corey Perry. The team already received a blow as Perry has been ruled out for six to eight weeks following knee surgery.

Add that loss to an aging Kings team, where their core players like captain Anze Kopitar, D-man Drew Doughty and starting goaltender Darcy Kuemper are 35 or older. Los Angeles has plenty of young players who could counter that, but it isn’t a sure thing to expect this team to improve drastically from last year.

Washington Capitals

The Washington Capitals blew expectations out of the water last season in Spencer Carbery’s second year as their coach. They led the Eastern Conference with 111 points, which were 20 points more than the season before.

Captain Alexander Ovechkin’s historic goals record chase not only highlighted their campaign by energized it.

Even Carbery said the chase gave his team “a boost and energy at times down the stretch.” With that, he believed his players made an extra effort to help push Ovechkin to the record, which, in the end, took a lot out of his players.

While the Capitals are still in a position to be a playoff contender with the likes of Ovechkin, Dylan Strome, goaltender Logan Thompson, rookie Ryan Leonard and many more crucial pieces of the roster, they likely won’t be the powerhouse they were last season.

BetMGM set the over/under for the Capitals' regular-season points total this season at 96.5. Their odds of getting more than that are at 1.91 (-110), while the odds for the under are at 1.83. (-120).

Florida Panthers

It could be considered a controversial take to say the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions won’t meet expectations next season. After all, they have the best odds of winning the Stanley Cup this season at 7.00 (+600) on BetMGM.

However, the Florida Panthers have reached the Stanley Cup final for three straight seasons. They won’t be able to recreate that success at some point.

The biggest concern for this impressive team would be its health. Florida has played more hockey than anyone else over the last three years, and the team hasn’t changed much aside from a couple of trade deadline acquisitions.

It’s already known that Matthew Tkachuk will be missing a chunk of this season with a torn adductor and sports hernia injury. It’s a significant loss to be without a star player and leader like Tkachuk, which could affect the start of the Panthers’ campaign.

The underperforming may not stop when the regular season is over, either. Ever since the Tampa Bay Lightning went to the Cup final for three straight years, they haven’t been able to get past the first round of the playoffs or clinch their division.

Could their Florida state counterparts face a similar situation next season?

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EAST MEADOW, NY --  Defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson is a fierce competitor whose physicality is something that New York Islanders fans are going to fall in love with. On the final day of rookie camp, the No. 18 overall pick showcased that physicality with an open-ice hit on 2025 fourth-round pick and No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 CHL Import Draft, Tomas Poletin. 

The hit -- Aitcheson definitely held up a bit -- sent Poletin to the ice.

After the skate, I caught up with Aitcheson to get his thoughts on being able to be more physical as camp has progressed, his excitement for NHL training camp to begin, and more in this Q & A:

---

Stefen Rosner: We saw some physical play today. I know I’ve asked you about hitting before, but how excited are you for main camp when you can really show that side of your game?

Kashawn Aitcheson: "Yeah, of course. It’s still camp, so you’re not trying to hurt anyone, but I’m definitely super excited to play in more real situations and games — with physicality, guys competing for jobs. This week was a lot of skill work: keeping your head up, making plays, always moving your feet. Main camp is when it gets real."

Stefen Rosner: With training camp coming up against NHL players, how excited are you? You’re a first-round pick, and while you’ve said you’ll be going back to juniors, there’s still a lot you can prove and showcase.

Kashawn Aitcheson: "Yeah, obviously, I’m going back to juniors, but whenever you’re here, the goal is to try to make the team and push for that kind of spot. You want to learn from the players who are already there, ask questions to the staff, and just soak everything in."

Stefen Rosner: You’ve never been through an NHL training camp before, but you are going to learn a lot about the NHL game and realize that some things you can get away with in juniors won't fly at the NHL level. How do you plan to balance that, going back to juniors and not developing habits that may work there in order to develop your game for the NHL level, not necessarily for the OHL?

Kashawn Aitcheson: "I think it’s about doing a lot of video with coaches, talking with development staff, and making sure you’re always focusing on ways to improve for the NHL level. You can’t just assume you’ll make the team next year. You have to keep looking for things to get better at — that’s what keeps the bad habits away."

Stefen Rosner: Are you excited to go back to Barrie and talk with your teammates about your camp experience?

Kashawn Aitcheson: "Yeah, for sure. We’ve got quite a few guys from Barrie at camps around the NHL, so it’ll be good to talk to all the boys, see how they did, and maybe bring some of the stuff I learned here back with me."

Stefen Rosner: Are you someone who watches a lot of hockey? Do you plan to watch a ton of Isles hockey?

Kashawn Aitcheson: "Yeah, I try to watch as many games as I can. I’ll definitely be keeping tabs and watching 100%.

Injured Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen is making positive progress in his recovery from a season-ending injury, but a return to the ice is still at least one month away.

Ristolainen, 30, was announced to have undergone surgery to repair a ruptured triceps tendon on April 25, which came with a six-month recovery timeline.

This was his second such injury in as many seasons.

The Flyers expected the hulking Finnish defenseman to miss training camp, which appears to still be the case.

Ristolainen has been skating with Flyers teammates at the Flyers Training Center in Voorhees, N.J., but hasn't participated in any of the intrasquad scrimmages or on-ice activities of that nature.

Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) on XRasmus Ristolainen skating here in what looks like non-contact purple jersey. He’s recovering from surgery on ruptured triceps tendon. He had surgery on March 26 and the recovery is six months.

Flyers GM Danny Briere said Tuesday that he expects the veteran rearguard to re-join the team in an official capacity in a month or two.

"It's looking good on that front," Briere said of Ristolainen. "Risto is moving ahead. We knew all along that he wouldn't start the season, but everything's moving and looking good for him to meet up with the team in, hopefully, the first month and a half, two months of the season, at some point. So, on that front, it's trending in the right direction."

As for other injured players, Jett Luchanko is expected to be a full participant at training camp for the Flyers, which will kick off on Thursday.

Flyers' Patience with Goalies Paying Off More Than You ThinkDespite having the worst goaltending in the NHL last season, the Philadelphia Flyers are reaping the benefits of their patience with the goalie position so far.

Defenseman Oliver Bonk was meant to play in the rookie series games over the weekend but failed to do so; this was due to an upper-body injury for which Bonk had scans on Tuesday morning.

The 20-year-old was, however, on the ice participating in positional drills on Monday. Briere and Co. don't appear to be too concerned about Bonk, but we'll monitor that situation as it develops nonetheless.

Tyson Foerster has been scrimmaging with teammates and is just working on testing his strength and making up for lost training time, according to Briere.

Additionally, free agent defenseman Noah Juulsen appears to be fully recovered from a season-ending hernia.

Report: Flyers Rejected Big Maple Leafs Trade for Rasmus RistolainenAccording to a new report, the Philadelphia Flyers received a massive trade offer from the Toronto Maple Leafs for veteran defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen. GM Danny Briere and Co. didn't budge.

The former Vancouver Canucks defenseman has been playing in the scrimmages as well and should be ready to go as he reunites with his old head coach, Rick Tocchet, in Philadelphia with the Flyers.

Juulsen should be the first man up on defense, pending the results of training camp, with Ristolainen still not particularly close to a return.

The Los Angeles Kings are hoping they can make a deep playoff run next season, and while they made some questionable moves this summer, there are still some moves they can make to fill out their lineup and create a championship-caliber team heading into the postseason.

The Nashville Predators are on a different path right now. They made some moves last summer that made fans think they could be serious contenders, but it was a catastrophic failure, and they missed the playoffs. 

Veteran Kings Defender Expects Spot on 2026 Canadian Olympic Team

If they continue down that path next season and become sellers closer to the 2026 Trade Deadline, the Kings should target two of their forwards.

Steven Stamkos

Steven Stamkos signed a four-year contract with the Predators last summer, after the Tampa Bay Lightning shockingly chose to let him walk to free agency. The 35-year-old played well in his first season with the Predators, scoring 27 goals and adding 26 assists for 53 points through 82 games, but it was a steep decline from what fans had expected of him.

With an $8,000,000 cap hit, the Kings would have to move money out to bring Stamkos in, but his natural scoring ability and playoff experience make him an enticing target. He could step into a top-six role with the Kings right away, but it will depend entirely on what the Predators would ask for in return.

Jonathan Marchessault

Jonathan Marchessault signed a five-year contract with the Predators last summer, and in his first season with the team, he scored 21 goals and added 35 assists for 56 points through 78 games. Throughout his career, he has scored 251 goals and added 292 assists for 543 points through 716 games. 

He is a solid two-way forward with plenty of playoff experience and could be a solid addition to the Kings' lineup. He has a $5,500,000 cap hit, and just like Stamkos, the Kings would have to move money out to bring him in. 

Both players have an incredible amount of playoff experience that could elevate the Kings' lineup when the postseason rolls around. They would have to part with some future assets in prospects and draft picks, on top of the money they have to move out, but it would be worth it to add veterans like these two to push their roster closer to a Stanley Cup victory.

Stay tuned in with your Los Angeles Kings here at The Hockey News, as the 2025-26 season inches closer.

It is not an exaggeration to say that the passing of Eddie Giacomin has very deeply affected Rangers' fans throughout the universe. Here are some reactions:

GEORGE GRIMM: Author of "Guardians Of The Goal" as well as "We Did Everything But Win."

"Ed Giacomin was my first Ranger hero. I have so many memories of him that I wouldn’t know where to begin.

"My most vivid memory of Eddie was during the 'Keep the Mask' playoff gem against Toronto in April 1971.

"It was a chippy game and in the third period there were two flights at the Maple Leafs end of the ice and Eddie got involved in both of them, each time skating up the length of the ice like the Lone Ranger, tossing off his gloves and stick on his way.

"And of course there was the night when the entire Garden as well as his former teammates showed their love and respect for the skinny, Italian goaltender who was suddenly wearing  a Red Wings uniform.

"Eddie was special for a lot of reasons. He was tough, he was a fighter and was considered one of the best goalies in the NHL for much of his career.  He shared a Vezina Trophy with Gilles Villemure and was inducted into the Hall of Fame. 

"He never won a Stanley Cup but set many team records that have since been broken. But he inspired a generation of Ranger fans, with his drive and determination. Ed Giacomin will never be forgotten."

POSTSCRIPT: In "Guardians Of The Goal," Giacomin candidly explained his Hall of Fame nomination as no one but Eddie could:

"I firmly believe that because of what the New York fans did for me that night (Rangers vs. Detroit) I made the Hall of Fame. You have to have records, but most inducted have been Stanley Cup-winners, I wasn't.

"I had something rare. I was so popular because of the New York fans. I said it then and I'll say it now, the New York fans who I enjoyed playing for so much, put me in the Hall of Fame."

Requiem For A Goaltender: Eddie GiacominEddie Giacomin was the lion of the Rangers. He was ferocious against the foe while being fantastic for his fans.

JESSE RUBENSTEIN, SUPER SCOUT: "Eddie Giacomin was my first sports hero. I first met him when he was goalie for the (AHL) Providence Reds and followed him when he became a Ranger.

"I could not believe it when the Rangers put him on waivers. I never have nor will I ever forgive the Rangers for how they treated Eddie. Rest in Peace, Eddie. This one is going to hurt for a while."

AL GREENBERG, PANTHERS BEAT MAN FOR FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: "This one truly hurts – like Rod Gilbert, Andy Bathgate and Gump Worsley before him." (See Dave Stubbs on Eddie G over at NHL.com)

Former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk has found a new home. 

He signed a professional tryout with the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday after hitting the free-agent market on July 1. He will spend training camp with the Blackhawks and try to make the opening-night roster in October. 

our 2025 Training Camp roster is here‼️

📰 ➡︎ https://t.co/uCuQigvH18pic.twitter.com/V4nWZrDBpf

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) September 16, 2025

Grzelcyk spent the entire 2024-25 season with the Penguins after signing a one-year deal with them last offseason. He got a lot of top-four minutes at 5v5 and got to quarterback the top power play unit for a good chunk of the year. 

Points-wise, he had the best season of his career, finishing with 40. 39 of those points were assists.

The Penguins opted to replace him once free agency started and signed Parker Wotherspoon, Alexander Alexeyev, and Caleb Jones. Wotherspoon will certainly get a lot of playing time at the NHL level, while Alexeyev and Jones will try to make the team out of training camp. 

Penguins training camp will officially get underway on Thursday, September 18.

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The NHL's recent CBA changes could lead to a longer AHL pre-season, following the NHL cutting down on exhibition games. 

The NHL is implementing some significant changes for the upcoming season, including a shorter pre-season and an extended regular season by two additional games. The goal behind this adjustment is to wrap up the season earlier while also boosting revenue, regular season games generate far more income than pre-season exhibitions.

However, not everyone is on board. General Managers across the league have been reportedly concerned, as the shortened pre-season means less time to assess their rosters and make critical decisions before opening night. While the NHL’s schedule is being trimmed, the AHL could move in the opposite direction.

Jets Prospect Showcase Takeaways: Zhilkin, DiVincentiis Within Reach Of NHL JumpWinnipeg prospects Dominic DiVincentiis, Danny Zhilkin lead pack as most notable names entering Jets training camp following impressive performances at Prospect Showcase. 

It’s been six years since the Manitoba Moose, the AHL affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets, have played in any pre-season games, and they won’t be participating again this year. They’re one of ten AHL teams skipping pre-season action, alongside clubs like Abbotsford (VAN), Calgary (CGY), Charlotte (FLA), Cleveland (CBJ), Colorado (COL), Grand Rapids (DET), Iowa (MIN), Rochester (BUF), and Texas (DAL).

With NHL teams now facing tighter timelines to evaluate young talent, expanding the AHL pre-season could become a viable alternative. More AHL exhibition games would give prospects a better shot at standing out, while also offering fans a chance to see the future of the franchise in action.

To reduce costs, teams like the Moose wouldn’t need to play in their usual arenas. Instead, games could be hosted at local community rinks, turning them into outreach opportunities. These events could include fan engagement activities, contests for Jets jerseys or game tickets, and meet-and-greets with players, all while helping to grow the team’s presence in the community.

This would be especially beneficial for the Moose, who ranked in the bottom five for average attendance during the 2023–24 AHL season. By getting creative with how pre-season games are packaged and promoted, such as doubleheaders with Jets pre-season games or hosting games during Jets Fan Fest, they could boost visibility and bring more fans through the doors.

Ultimately, if the Jets' front office feels the shorter NHL pre-season limits their ability to evaluate talent, ramping up the AHL's pre-season could be a strategic and community-friendly solution. It’s a chance to better assess prospects, generate excitement around the Moose, and strengthen ties with fans, all while staying cost-effective.

Former Portage Terrier Orca Wiesblatt Dead at 25On Sunday morning, professional hockey player Orca Wiesblatt passed away following a motor vehicle collision in Nanaimo, British Columbia.