The 2025-26 season is now just around the corner after a long, busy offseason for general manager Pat Verbeek and the Anaheim Ducks. There’s still one large order of business remaining on the table: the Mason McTavish contract extension.

From a (mostly) new coaching staff to four key additions, the Ducks organization received a significant facelift this summer as they attempt to take another step and put an end to their elongated rebuild.

The team's complexion is vastly different than the one that started last year’s training camp. Four pieces once considered part of the team’s future core at one point or another now call a different organization home, as does a player who was in Anaheim for just a short time but made a meaningful impression.

I had fun asking one question about each Ducks roster player ahead of the upcoming season, so I decided to do the same for those former key pieces who once called Anaheim home.

Questions Facing Each Anaheim Ducks Defenseman, Goalie Heading into the 2025-26 Season

Questions Facing Each Anaheim Ducks Forward Heading into the 2025-26 Season

Brian Dumoulin: Can he help Los Angeles topple Edmonton at long last?

Dumoulin only played 61 games in a Ducks sweater, but he had an immediate positive impact on the young dynamic defensemen on the Ducks' blueline, emphasizing good habits and communication skills. He signed a three-year contract with the Los Angeles Kings this summer to add veteran experience and added Stanley Cup pedigree to a team that’s lost in the first round to the Edmonton Oilers in each of the last four seasons. Whether he’s slated to play a bottom-pair role next to a fellow veteran like Cody Ceci or aid in the development of a talented offensive talent like Brandt Clarke, Dumoulin will have the opportunity to solidify the middle or bottom of the Kings' depth chart on the blueline.

Cam Fowler: Can he set a new career high in points?

Fowler was the first of this group to depart the Ducks, ending a 14-plus-year career with the organization in which he played just shy of 1000 games (991), when he was traded to the St. Louis Blues in Dec. 2024. He made an immediate impact and found instant chemistry with the Blues, notably alongside Colton Parayko, where the two now comprise the projected top pair in St. Louis. After the trade, Fowler scored 36 points (9-27=36) in 51 games for the Blues, the highest scoring rate (.71 points per game) in his career. He’ll have to fight for top power play time with Justin Faulk, but if Fowler gets the nod (and stays healthy), he has the chance to set a new career high for himself, which now stands at 48 points, set in the 2022-23 season.

John Gibson: Can he lead Detroit into he playoffs?

On day two of the 2025 NHL Draft, Gibson was traded from the team with the third-longest playoff drought (Anaheim, seven years) to the team with the second (Detroit, nine years). Gibson’s numbers bounced back in a big way in 2024-25, after a half-decade of mediocrity. Talent remains, but health is the question. It’s a gamble the Red Wings are willing to take, as they’ve been knocking on the door of the playoffs in the last two seasons. Cam Talbot, with whom Gibson will likely form a tandem, played well last season, but the goaltending position has been volatile for the Red Wings for the duration of their rebuild. Gibson and Talbot can hopefully raise the team’s floor and give the players in front of them needed security as they look to finally break through and play spring hockey.

Isac Lundestrom: How long can he stick in the NHL?

Lundestrom was given a relatively long leash in Anaheim, where he played 337 games over seven seasons, but never found a way to meaningfully impact games on the offensive side of the puck. This summer, he signed a two-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets. His skating, defensive prowess, and work ethic will always endear him to coaches, but his NHL role seems destined to that of a fourth-line center, a position in which he’ll have to fend off hungry, young players for the remainder of his career. He’ll also need to improve on his 45.9% clip in the faceoff circle, so coaches can trust him with defensive zone starts if he’s to be relied on as a matchup option in any way.

Trevor Zegras: Who is the real Trevor Zegras?

Zegras burst onto the scene in 2021-22, dazzling on a nightly basis, was the 2022 Calder Trophy runner-up, and notched back-to-back 60-plus point seasons. A lengthy contract negotiation amid a coaching change and a mandate to work on his 200-foot game led to a muted impact followed by significant injuries over the following two seasons. Verbeek and the Ducks made the decision to go in a different direction, sending him to the Philadelphia Flyers this summer. Whether he ultimately ends up on the wing or sticks at the center position, as is the initial intention of the Flyers, he’s a player who will hopefully be afforded the freedom to explore the reaches of his vast creativity, increasing the odds of returning to that scintillating talent we saw early in his career.

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Chris Kreider, Jacob Trouba Highlight Angels' Ducks Night

After just one training session on the ice at the Montreal Canadiens’ rookie camp, it’s safe to say that one player is head and shoulders above the other. As the hopefuls were put through their paces on Thursday at the CN Sports Complex, media and fans alike were keeping a keen eye on Ivan Demidov.

It might only have been drills, but the Russian was giving it his whole and using those magical hands of his whenever necessary. His skills didn’t go unnoticed by his fellow rookies and Florian Xhekaj, who often skated alongside him on the day, told the media that he “tried to give him the puck and create space out there”. It’s not because Xhekaj can’t score, he’s done it 24 times last season with the Laval Rocket, but Demidov’s presence and skills are just that impressive.

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So impressive in fact that defenseman Adam Engstrom couldn’t help but say that he’s just so much fun to watch out there, just doing such great stuff with the puck all the time.

As for goaltender Jacob Fowler, he described the 19-year-old phenom as “a special player who’s an even better person off the ice” before adding “his talent is some of the highest I’ve ever seen but it’s also the way he works with it”. No one will argue with the netminder when he says he’s only going to get better. He already has, since coming over from Russia, his skating as improved and he doesn’t have the same stance anymore; moving on the ice looks much more effortless nowadays than it did when he first joined the Canadiens last April.

While the main camp hasn’t even started, it’s hard to imagine how Martin St-Louis could deprive his first power play unit of such skill and creativity. Whatever happens, though, the Canadiens’ power play will be much better this season than it was last year. The arrivals of Demidov, Noah Dobson, and Zachary Bolduc will bring a significant influx of talent and provide the coach with so many more weapons to work with. While the offseason hasn't been kind to the Canadiens' penalty kill, it sure has been to its man-advantage. 

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The Columbus Blue Jackets have 31 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today, we look at the history of jersey #31. 

Let's take a look at today's edition, which is all about goalies. 

Ron Tugnutt - 2001-2002 - Drafted by Quebec in the 1986 NHL Draft. 

Tugnutt for President!! He played in 53 games for the Jackets in the first year of the franchise and went 22-25-5 with a .917 save %.

After two years with Columbus, he went on to play the final two years of his long career with the Dallas Stars and Utah Grizzlies of the AHL. 

He played 16 years and won 186 games in the NHL. After retiring, he went into coaching, where he would coach at various levels and leagues as a goaltending coach. 

Pascal Leclaire - 2004-2009 - Leclaire was drafted #8 overall in 2001 by Columbus.

He compiled a career record of 45-55-12 with Columbus and had a save % of .907%. The Jackets traded him to Ottawa on March 4, 2009, with he and a 2009 second-round pick went to Ottawa in exchange for Antoine Vermette. The pick the CBJ sent to Ottawa would wind up being Robin Lehner. Leclaire would retire on November 12, 2012. Leclaire was also in net for Columbus and gave up the first career goal to future Hall-of-Fame and all-time leading goal scorer Alex Ovechkin. 

David LeNeveu - 2011 - Drafted by Phoenix in the 2002 NHL Draft. 

LeNeveu played in one game for Columbus during the 2010-11 season. He played one period and gave up 2 goals on 12 shots. He never played another NHL game after his time in Columbus and finished his career in the KHL in 2014-15. 

He bounced around different leagues before retiring, playing in Russia, Poland, and Slovakia. He was also the goaltending coach, President, Part-Owner, and Governor of the Nanaimo Clippers of the BCHL from 2014 to 2017. 

Shawn Hunwick - 2012 - Undrafted out of Sterling Heights, Michigan. 

Hunwick famously made one appearance for Columbus, playing 3 minutes on April 7, 2012. He relieved Steve Mason in a 7-3 Jackets win. He never played another NHL game and finished his career in Germany in 2013 after just one year of professional hockey. Hunwick announced his retirement from professional hockey on August 26, 2013.

Curtis McElhinney - 2014 - Drafted by Calgary in 2002. 

McElhinney could have been listed as the player who wore #31 the best. He started 66 games for the Jackets and came in to relieve the starters another 19 times. His career record with Columbus was 26-33-8. He went on to win a pair of Stanley Cups for the Tampa Bay Lightning, backing up starter Andrei Vasilevskiy. He retired on September 25, 2021.

He was the Toronto Maple Leafs Dir. of Goaltending from 2023 to 2025. 

Anton Forsberg - 2015-2017 - Drafted by Columbus in 2011. 

He played for the Columbus organization for three seasons but would only get 9 starts. In those 9 starts from 2014 to 2017, his record was 1-8. Where he really showed his worth was during the 2015-16 season while he was playing for the Cleveland Monsters. He had a record of 23-10-6 and also went 9-0 in the Calder Cup Playoffs. He and former CBJ goalie Joonas Korpisalo guided the team to a Calder Cup Championship.

On 23 June 2017, he and Brandon Saad were a part of a package to the Chicago Blackhawks that brought Artemi Panarin to Columbus. After five years in Ottawa, he signed a free agent deal with the LA Kings for two years.  

Michael Hutchinson - 2023 - Drafted by the Boston Bruins in the 2008 NHL Draft. 

Hutchinson started 10 games for Columbus after coming over from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Blue Jackets legend Jonathan Quick in March of 2023. He went 2-6-3 and made 6 relief appearances as well. 

He left to play in Finland for the 24-25 season but hasn't been signed anywhere for 25-26. 

With 31 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena, the anticipation for the season is in full swing. Take a look at the schedule of events below.

Blue Jackets Participate in 2025 Prospects Challenge in Buffalo

The Blue Jackets will take part in the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo from Thursday, Sept. 11, to Sunday, Sept. 14. They’ll play three games and have one day off.

The schedule looks like this:

Thursday, Sept. 11 - 7 p.m. vs. New Jersey Devils

Friday, Sept. 12 - No Game Scheduled

Saturday, Sept. 13 - 7 p.m. at Buffalo Sabres

Sunday, Sept. 14 - 3:30 p.m. at Pittsburgh Penguins

This will be the second year Columbus has participated in the Prospects Challenge. Before that, they played in the NHL Prospect Tournament in Traverse City. As for the roster, it won’t be released until closer to the tournament.

Let us know what you think below.

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EAST MEADOW, NY -- New York Islanders prospect Calum Ritchie knows how big the loss of Brock Nelson was for the club. Being the big return piece in the Nelson deal with the Colorado Avalanche isn't something the 20-year-old takes lightly. 

“Brock’s a legend here,” Ritchie said on the first day of Islanders rookie camp on Thursday. “To be traded for him, it’s obviously big shoes to fill. I’m going to work my hardest every day to try to fill that.”

Now, the Islanders aren't looking at Ritchie as a Nelson comparable, nor should he have the pressure ahead of his first season on Long Island that he has to be a guy that comes close to 30 goals to make the trade seem worthwhile. 

The two players share some commonalities, particularly in their transition abilities through the neutral zone and over the blue line, but Ritchie is more of a playmaker.

He recorded 55 assists with 15 goals for 70 points in 47 OHL regular-season games before 16 assists with nine goals for 25 points in 21 OHL playoff games. 

“My two-way game, my passing improved last season,” Ritchie said. “I think I’ve always been considered a playmaker. I felt like I was moving the puck really well last season, thinking the game smarter. I’m really confident in my abilities right now, and my defensive game has improved a lot, too. So I’m happy with where I am.”

Ritchie, who seemed like the most NHL-ready player at development camp in terms of his physical makeup, has bulked up quite a bit since last year's training camp with Colorado. 

He entered camp in the Mile High City weighing 185 pounds. He enters Islanders camp at 200. 

“My goal is obviously to play in the NHL,” Ritchie said. “So I’m going to work my hardest and try to achieve that.”

He'll be working hard alongside an abundance of Islanders prospects. As one of the many new guys at development camp following the 2025 NHL Draft, Ritchie said that he was able to stay in touch with a lot of those guys.

"I've gotten close with Schaefer, Aitchison, Romano, Maggio, George -- all those guys," Ritchie said. "So, it's been really good. Everyone is a great guy here. It's actually an unreal group, a great time, and I'm just looking forward to the rest of camp."

Outside of Isaiah George -- can't forget about Tristan Lennox's one period --  Ritchie is the only other prospect at rookie camp who has played in an NHL game before.

Ritchie did make the Avalanche out of training camp last season, playing in seven games before being loaned back to juniors after recording a goal, which just so happened to come against the Islanders. 

"Having that experience last year was really good for me, and I thought I learned a lot," Ritchie said. "I'm a lot better of a player now than I was then. So, yeah, and I think it helps me a lot to have that experience."

While Ritchie may be able to fill Nelson's role as the No. 2 center, the Islanders' decision to move Mathew Barzal from Bo Horvat's wing to center will likely clog the center ice for the young centerman. 

Ritchie is open to playing the wing, and general manager Mathieu Darche said that if he plays well enough, he'll make a spot for him. 

Could we see Ritchie actually win the No. 2 spot, moving Barzal back to Horvat's wing, where he's shown an ability to perform at a high level?

What about on Jean-Gabriel Pageau's wing?```

The options are there. Now it's about Ritchie to prove that he doesn't need any AHL seasoning and that he's ready to produce, long term, at the NHL level. 

The Philadelphia Flyers may appear set at the goalie position at the NHL level this year, but anything can happen, and the book isn't closed on prospect Aleksei Kolosov yet.

Lamentable performances in net over the last few seasons, including from Kolosov himself, have largely doomed the Flyers to their lack of success.

An offseason addition of Dan Vladar is expected to help stabilize incumbent starter Sam Ersson and give the Flyers a reliable duo, but Ersson, too, is guilty of struggling. He's also been bedeviled by injuries, which can anecdotally be attributed to his increased workload.

Knowing that, Flyers GM Danny Briere already warned that he expects Kolosov and Russian counterpart Ivan Fedotov to be ready when called upon.

In a press conference Wednesday, Flyers president Keith Jones echoed that sentiment, advising that the book is not closed on either Fedotov or the enigmatic Kolosov.

"We had hoped their ability to adjust would occur quicker than it did. I wouldn't write off either guy, Fedotov or Kolosov," Jones said. "Kolosov is obviously younger and is an extremely athletic goaltender. And, if he can put all the pieces together in the future, he could turn into a very good goaltender."

The question, for some Flyers fans, will be about Kolosov's commitment to patience and playing his role.

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The 23-year-old Belarusian ultimately arrived, albeit late, to training camp last year, and made his NHL debut as early as Oct. 27.

Despite that, though, Kolosov's hot start flamed out, and he was sent to the AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

There were many occasions last season where the Flyers' former third-round pick sat in the press box as the third goalie in the NHL, which did his development no favors.

"He'll be here, and we're excited about that, too. He has an opportunity, just like everybody else, to come in and show what he has," Jones added. "Developmentally, we would prefer that last year he spent a little more time in the American Hockey League. It just was not in the cards. I wouldn't do it differently, but I'm excited about the depth that we have."

Jones was also sure to note that the Flyers are "happy" to have Vladar, and that Kolosov and Fedotov will have to prove they have the chops to cut it at the NHL level. For real this time.

Flyers: Where Is Egor Zavragin?Top Philadelphia Flyers goalie prospect Egor Zavragin has yet to play for his KHL club, SKA St. Petersburg, in the early goings of the 2025-26 season.

Fortunately for both, and especially the youngster Kolosov, the Flyers seem intent on giving their homegrown guys one last opportunity to carve out an NHL path.

The Florida Panthers were back on the ice in Fort Lauderdale this week.

A group of the team’s best and brightest prospects gathered in South Florida ahead of the 2025 Prospect Showcase taking place in Wesley Chapel, just outside of Tampa.

It runs from Friday to Monday, with the Panthers facing prospects from the Tampa Bay Lightning, Nashville Predators and Carolina Hurricanes in a round-robin.

Florida’s roster consists of 25 players, broken down to 15 forwards, seven defensemen and three goaltenders.

Coaching the Panthers prospects once again this year is Florida’s AHL head coach, Geordie Kinnear.

“The Rookie Tournament is a great opportunity for these guys to keep getting evaluated, but also an opportunity to get better, to get a little taste of playing competitive hockey against your peers,” Kinnear said.

On Thursday, the Panthers’ prospects gathered at the Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale for some practice and meetings before heading north to the Tampa area.

You can check out footage from Thursday’s practice in the video below:

Forward Gracyn Sawchyn, who Florida selected in the second round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, is gearing up for his first professional season after signing his entry level contract earlier this year.

“I’m a lot closer to the guys now, so it’s good to be around everybody again,” said Sawchyn.

He’s playing in his third, and ultimately last, prospect tournament.

“Every year has been a little bit different,” he said. “I think the biggest thing for me is just trying to play a mature game. Do that this weekend, and hopefully carry that on to training camp with the big guys.”

Florida’s three-game schedule kicks off on Friday afternoon against the prospects from Carolina.

Here is the Panthers schedule:

Friday, Sept. 12 at 2:00 p.m. vs. Carolina

Saturday, Sept. 13 at 5:00 p.m. vs. Tampa Bay

Monday, Sept. 15 at 12:00 p.m. vs. Nashville

All games are open to the public and free to attend, and the Panthers previously said all games would be streamed online as well.

Florida’s full 25-man roster can be seen below:

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