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Four NHL Coaches Who Could Be Job Hunting This Summer
NHL Calder Trophy Tracker: Flyers' Michkov, Sharks' Smith Lead Best Of The Rest
Berube’s Trust In Rielly And Holmberg Proved Costly In Leafs’ Loss To Nashville
Top NHL Prospects In Future Watch 2025: 76 To 100
NHL Rumor Roundup: Latest On The Canadiens And Penguins' Off-Season Plans
NHL Rumor Roundup: Which Players Could Become Offer-Sheet Targets?
NHL Rumor Roundup: What's Next For Hurricanes And Canucks In The Summer?
Could Matthews Eventually Surpass The Goal Records Of Ovechkin And Gretzky?
'Looks Like He Was A Goalie': Oilers' McDavid Reacts To Canadian PM Joining Practice
'Give Them The Puck!' — Buffalo Sabres Score Own Goal In Embarrassing Loss To Utah HC
'Just Go Play': Playoffs Are Where Maple Leafs' Scott Laughton Will Make His Mark
NHL Sour Rankings: 2025 Mock Draft For The Bottom 10 Teams
Ovechkin's Chances Of Breaking NHL Goals Record Against Crosby Are High
NHL Rumor Roundup: Edmonton Oilers Could Go Goalie Shopping This Summer
If The NHL Expands, So Should The Playoffs – Here's How
Top Five Oldest Players In The NHL
Maybe Mikko Was The Problem: With Rantanen Gone Hall Is Playing Like A No. 1 Overall Pick Again
What The...Duck: Anaheim Prospect Beckett Sennecke Could Soon Dazzle At NHL Level
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John Tavares' Strong Play Makes It Harder For Maple Leafs To Give A Pay Cut
Will The Jets Finally Flip The Script In The 2025 Post-Season?
Four NHL Coaches Who Could Be Job Hunting This Summer
The NHL’s coaching carousel is spinning faster than ever, with multiple teams changing coaches – including the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues – during the current regular season. But the way things are shaping up, there are going to be more changes we should expect to see once this season is over.
With that in mind, here are four coaches likely to part ways with their team this summer. In alphabetical order:
1. Andrew Brunette, Nashville Predators
The Predators have been one of the biggest disappointments this season, posting a 25-35-8 record that puts them in 14th place in the Western Conference. Consequently, the spotlight is squarely on Brunette, who has been on the job in Nashville since May of 2023. That may not sound like a long time for a coach to leave their mark, but if Preds GM Barry Trotz isn’t going to make material changes to his team’s roster, the thing he can change is his coach.
It’s certainly not solely Brunette’s fault that Nashville is where they are in the standings. However, the Predators may opt for a new voice behind the bench. And that would leave Brunette looking for work after this season concludes.
2. Lindy Ruff, Buffalo Sabres
Many eyebrows were raised when greybeard veteran Ruff was hired for his second tour of coaching duty in Buffalo last April. But the Sabres have been unable to improve in Ruff’s latest tenure, generating the Eastern Conference’s worst record at 27-35-6. The 65-year-old Ruff may see his tenure come to an end this coming off-season – especially if the Sabres dismiss GM Kevyn Adams at season’s end. A new GM will want their own coach in place, so Buffalo could be looking for a new bench boss very soon.
Ruff’s near-lifelong connection to the Sabres hasn’t translated into many wins this year, and in the zero-sum business of NHL coaching, that’s all that really matters. Buffalo has to chart a different course as soon as possible, and that’s why we believe Ruff will be sent packing in favor of a younger coach with a different vision for this constantly-changing Sabres roster.
3. Joe Sacco, Boston Bruins
The Bruins were accustomed to performing well in recent years, which is why their sub-par performance this season is such a downer for Boston fans. Jim Montgomery was fired in mid-November, and Sacco was inserted as an interim replacement for him. But that hasn’t done much good at all, and we don’t see Sacco staying on the job once this year comes to an end.
Who will replace Sacco? Well, we see another coach currently employed by another Eastern Conference team – Penguins bench boss Mike Sullivan, who we’ll discuss below – being the choice in Beantown as the Bruins attempt to retool on the fly. Hiring Sullivan for his second stint as Boston’s coach would give the Bs the structure and discipline they’re in dire need of. Sometimes a return to a familiar face makes sense for a team, and that’s where we think the Bruins will be at with Sullivan if and when he becomes a coaching free agent.
4. Mike Sullivan, Pittsburgh Penguins
Sullivan has been Pittsburgh’s coach since December 2015, and he’s led them to two Stanley Cup championships, giving him a lot of leeway in the nine years he’s been on the job with the Penguins. But every coach eventually reaches his "best before" date, and considering that Sullivan’s Pens have failed to make the playoffs for this season and the previous two seasons, the Penguins need a change behind the bench.
Only Tampa Bay’s Jon Cooper – another multi-time Cup winner – has more current tenure than Sullivan, and we expect Sullivan would quickly be picked up by another team once the Penguins let him go. But the Penguins need a different voice now, and it’s time for both Sullivan and the Pens to mutually agree to part ways. All good things eventually come to an end, and it’s high time for the Penguins to move on from Sullivan.
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NHL Calder Trophy Tracker: Flyers' Michkov, Sharks' Smith Lead Best Of The Rest
This year’s NHL rookie class is giving hockey fans a thrilling Calder Trophy race.
San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson and Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf solidified themselves as the likely finalists for the award, despite some very impressive seasons from other freshman NHLers. We ranked that trio last month, but the rest of the class deserves some attention this time.
Let’s take a look, in no particular order, at the rest of the rookie class for the 2024-25 NHL season.
Matvei Michkov, RW, Philadelphia Flyers
67 games, 20 goals, 27 assists, 47 points
Michkov is exactly what the Flyers hoped for. He’s been an offensive dynamo with improved two-way efforts despite some inconsistent moments throughout the year. The relationship with coach John Tortorella has been about as good as they could have hoped, with some tough love.
Michkov has shown some really impressive moments of relentless off-puck play to blend with his elite skill. Only Celebrini has scored more goals this season among the rookie crop, with 21.
Cutter Gauthier, LW, Anaheim Ducks
68 games, 13 goals, 21 assists, 34 points
Gauthier hit his stride in the second half of the season. He’s tied with Will Smith and Huston for the lead in rookie scoring since the 4 Nations Face-Off, with 12 points in 14 games.
Gauthier began to adapt to the pace of the NHL game, and he’s ascended the lineup for the Ducks as of late. The Philadelphia Flyers’ fifth-overall pick in 2022, whose trade request was granted last year, is a heavy shooter who could be a sneaky good breakout candidate for next season. He will likely reach a 40-point rookie campaign.
Will Smith, C, San Jose Sharks
60 games, 13 goals, 22 assists, 35 points
Smith has always been known for his dynamic playmaking, and it’s starting to show up in the NHL. He’s also tied for second among rookies in goals since the 4 Nations Face-Off, with five in 11 games.
While San Jose sits at the bottom of the standings, the vibes around the franchise are immaculate, thanks in part to their young stars, Smith and Celebrini.
There is still plenty of room to grow, and finding out if Smith will be a full-time center in the long term will be a work in progress, but his growth from October to today is promising.
Logan Stankoven, RW, Carolina Hurricanes
63 games, 10 goals, 21 assists, 31 points
Stankoven is one of the most energetic and high-motor rookies in the rookie class, and he was the key piece heading back to the Hurricanes in the Mikko Rantanen trade with the Dallas Stars.
With 29 points in 59 games in Dallas and two points in four contests since the trade, Stankoven needs some time to get used to his new surroundings. We may not see him be fully comfortable until next season, but his style of play should fit right in with the Hurricanes. Tenacious and skilled, Stankoven should be a key contributor in the middle-six for the Hurricanes into the playoffs.
Marco Kasper, C/LW, Detroit Red Wings
63 games, 13 goals, 14 assists, 27 points
The Red Wings have needed a player who can play up and down the lineup and help elevate those around him by being flexible from a stylistic standpoint.
Kasper has played on the left wing on the top line alongside Lucas Raymond and Dylan Larkin or down the middle with Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat. He’s played down the lineup in a defensive role and meaningful minutes on the penalty kill.
Kasper doesn’t have the eye-popping counting stats to get into the Calder conversation, but he’s been excellent overall.
Drew Helleson, D, Anaheim Ducks
42 games, four goals, six assists, 10 points
The fact that Helleson doesn’t put up points will always make him a secondary or tertiary part of the conversation among Anaheim’s young talent, but his steady defense should be appreciated.
Helleson plays a physical game and doesn’t try to do too much with the puck. He tracks play well in his own end and moves the puck to skilled teammates effectively. He’s found a way to be a positive influence on the ice with a bad team. He and Gauthier are tied for the team lead in goals-for percentage at 54.45 and 54.47, respectively, according to evolving-hockey.com.
Mackie Samoskevich, RW, Florida Panthers
59 games, 13 goals, 12 assists, 25 points
The Panthers are unsurprisingly one of the NHL’s best teams this season, but the back half of their season is full of injury troubles. Matthew Tkachuk hasn’t played since the 4 Nations Face-Off, and new acquisition Brad Marchand hasn’t suited up for the team, either.
That’s given Samoskevich the chance to move up the lineup, and the highly skilled right winger has looked fantastic. His puckhandling and energy have been a nice addition to the top six and top power-play unit. He’s been a dual-threat offensive presence that will likely end up down the lineup come playoff time, giving the Panthers the depth needed to win the Cup (again).
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Berube’s Trust In Rielly And Holmberg Proved Costly In Leafs’ Loss To Nashville
When your team is winning games in professional sports, problems you encounter can be swept under the rug. But when you fail, you open yourself up to fair criticism. And after their 5-2 defeat at the hands of the lowly Nashville Predators Saturday night, the Toronto Maple Leafs – and specifically, some of the choices made by Leafs coach Craig Berube – deserve to be questioned.
For one thing, Berube’s most-utilized player – Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly, who logged 24:28 of ice time – was far from in his best form. Now, we’re not as hard on Rielly as many have been this season, but against a Preds team that has struggled mightily on offense this season, Rielly was terrible with his defensive spacing and his play reads. And he didn’t make up for it with any offense at all, finishing the game with a minus-2 plus/minus rating.
Rielly’s usage might have been understandable if the Leafs were down a defenseman because of injury. However, that wasn’t the case – and Toronto defensemen who played a better all-around game than Rielly played significantly fewer minutes than him. Relative newcomer D-man Brandon Carlo played just 15:21, shutdown blueliner Chris Tanev played only 17:11, and shutdown defenseman Jake McCabe logged only 19:17. Giving any of those three more time on ice than Rielly should’ve been a no-brainer for Berube, but that wasn’t how things played out – and the results were hugely disappointing from a defensive standpoint for the Buds.
Another questionable decision by Berube is his ongoing choice to use forward Pontus Holmberg on the Leafs’ third line. Holmberg clearly has a fan in Berube, but we don’t see Holmberg as anything other than a fourth-line forward – and against the Predators, Holmberg was used as Toronto’s third-line left winger. Unsurprisingly, Holmberg had no impact on offense whatsoever – the sixth consecutive game he was held off the scoresheet, and the ninth time in his past ten games he failed to produce a point. And Holmberg’s season point total of six goals and 15 points in 58 games should make it perfectly clear that this is not a player who is any better than a fringe NHLer.
Holmberg’s lack of production might not be as much of a problem if Berube didn’t have a far better option for the third line in trade-deadline-acquisition Scott Laughton, who was on the ice for a team-low 9:52 Saturday. The Leafs spent a first-round draft pick and a decent prospect in Nikita Grebenkin to land Laughton, so why isn’t he getting the benefit of the doubt in favor of Holmberg? Make it make sense, Mr. Coach, and give Laughton more chances than you’ve been giving Holmberg.
Laughton's early days with the Leafs haven't been very impressive – he has zero points through eight games with the Leafs – but if and when his game starts clicking in Toronto, he could be a difference-maker in the playoffs compared to Holmberg.
For the most part, we like the job Berube has done this season. But he’s made some confusing choices of late, and his reliance on Rielly and Holmberg Saturday were not choices that we agree with at all.
As their games grow in importance, the Leafs are going to have increasingly difficult decisions to make. And make no mistake – each and every decision Berube makes is going to fall under a microscope, and the choices he makes could ultimately be the difference between his team winning or losing in the post-season. Berube will have to justify his rationale for questionable moves like the ones he made Saturday because if he can’t, fans and media are going to eat him alive.
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Top NHL Prospects In Future Watch 2025: 76 To 100
It’s not easy making the NHL. Nor should it be. Some make it as teenagers, but many prospects take three, four or even five years to break through to the NHL.
The Hockey News' Future Watch issue features the top 100 team-affiliated prospects in the game every year.
We asked a scout, director of player personnel or GM from each NHL team to provide their input on the top prospects in the game, using a five-to-10-year measuring stick. So, while it’s not surprising that the sure-fire prospects at the top of the list get there quicker, a lower-ranked prospect gets every bit equal opportunity. Jakob Pelletier, Seamus Casey and Alex Turcotte were all ranked in the 90s last year yet have made NHL contributions this season.
We start this project in mid-January after NHL teams have had post-WJC scouting meetings. At that point, we draw a line in the sand about who’s a prospect and who’s an NHLer. In some cases, those scenarios change. That’s why names such as Denton Mateychuk, Lian Bichsel, Liam Ohgren, Fedor Svechkov, Emil Andrae and Josh Doan are listed as prospects even though they’ve broken through as NHLers in the past month or two.
Other players, such as Isaiah George and Owen Pickering, looked to be established NHLers before surprisingly being demoted mid-project. That’s why they’re not listed among the top 100 prospects. - Brian Costello, editor
Let's begin with with the players ranked from 76th to 100th. Keep coming back to TheHockeyNews.com this week for more players on the list, or check out the entire top 100 prospects now with write-ups on each player by being subscribed to The Hockey News.
76. Rutger McGroarty, RW, Pittsburgh PenguinsWilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL)
As a star player in the NCAA and a key performer for the U.S. at the 2024 WJC who was involved in a somewhat splashy trade before even turning pro, McGroarty has a higher profile than most prospects. Still, Pittsburgh is slow-rolling his development, and he’s been working on details in the AHL. The Penguins love his tools, hockey sense and character, and his scoring has picked up. Skating is not a strength. The big question is his ceiling. Does he end up a top-six forward or fringe guy? - Jonathan Bombulie
77. Brendan Brisson, C, New York RangersHartford (AHL)
78. Brad Lambert, C, Winnipeg JetsManitoba (AHL)
79. Emil Hemming, RW, Dallas StarsBarrie (OHL)
80. Nikita Chibrikov, RW, Winnipeg JetsManitoba (AHL)
81. Colby Barlow, LW, Winnipeg JetsOshawa (OHL)
Barlow’s pure goal-scoring ability, which starts with a heavy and accurate shot, leaps off the page. He’s backed it up with consecutive 40-goal seasons in the OHL, too, and the transferability of his offensive instincts was evident in his three-point cameo with the AHL’s Moose last season. The Jets like Barlow’s competitiveness and leadership qualities, which “pulls players into the fight,” said Roy. And the Jets were also encouraged by his work to improve his skating and conditioning. - Jared Clinton
82. Mikhail Gulyayev, D, Colorado AvalancheOmsk (KHL)
83. Linus Eriksson, C, Florida PanthersTimra (Swe.)
84. Stian Solberg, D, Anaheim DucksFarjestad (Swe.)
85. Ethan Gauthier, RW, Tampa Bay LightningDrummondville (QMJHL)
86. Luca Del Bel Belluz, C, Columbus Blue JacketsCleveland (AHL)
87. Ilya Nabokov, G, Colorado AvalancheMagnitogorsk (KHL)
88. Filip Bystedt, C, San Jose SharksSan Jose (AHL)
89. Sam O'Reilly, RW, Edmonton OilersLondon (OHL)
O’Reilly generated buzz heading into the draft after showcasing his mature two-way game during London’s OHL title run. When O’Reilly was still there at the end of Round 1, head scout Rick Pracey convinced Oilers brass to acquire pick No. 32 to snag the right-shot pivot. The former D-man draws rave reviews for his play away from the puck and hockey sense, and Oilers assistant GM Keith Gretzky said he can complement the team’s strong core of centers: “He’s not flashy, but he gets the job done.” - Carol Schram
90. Egor Zavragin, G, Philadelphia FlyersSt. Petersburg (KHL)
91. Anton Wahlberg, C, Buffalo SabresRochester (AHL)
92. Emil Pieniniemi, D, Pittsburgh PenguinsKingston (OHL)
93. Gavin Brindley, C, Columbus Blue JacketsCleveland (AHL)
94. Jani Nyman, LW, Seattle KrakenCoachella Valley (AHL)
95. Seamus Casey, D, New Jersey DevilsUtica (AHL)
If things work out, Casey could be the second coming of Brian Rafalski. When the Devils had injuries to Brett Pesce and Luke Hughes, Casey found himself on the opening-night roster and showed exceptionally well. After putting up outstanding numbers at the University of Michigan, he’s now learning to play a more complete game, though defending will always be challenging at his size. An injury that led to surgery on his hand was a minor setback, but he’s logging huge minutes in Utica when he’s healthy. - Ken Campbell
96. Mikhail Yegorov, G, New Jersey DevilsBoston University (HE)
97. Adam Kleber, D, Buffalo SabresMinnesota-Duluth (NCHC)
98. Marcus Gidlof, G, New York IslandersLeksand (Swe.)
99. Oscar Fisker Molgaard, C, Seattle KrakenHV71 (Swe.)
100. Andrew Cristall, LW, Washington CapitalsSpokane (WHL)
Cristall got a long look in training camp and tied for the lead in pre-season scoring for the Caps. And he’s kept it up back in the WHL as he clinched the league’s scoring title with 132 points. Cristall was dealt from Kelowna to Spokane in January, and he’s fit in seamlessly with Kraken pick Berkly Catton. Cristall brings skill, vision and an ability to find soft spots in the O-zone. An undersized winger, he has made a concerted effort to add strength. Mahoney says that’s helped his skating – an area he could still improve. - Ben Raby
This article appeared in our 2025 Future Watch issue. Our cover story focuses on Ducks prospect Beckett Sennecke, who is tearing it up with the OHL's Oshawa Generals this season. We also include features on other exceptional NHL prospects, including: Zayne Parekh, Porter Martone, Gavin McKenna and more. In addition, we look at the top-10 prospects in the pipeline for each of the 32 NHL clubs.
You can get it in print for free when you subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/Free today. All subscriptions include complete access to more than 76 years of articles at The Hockey News Archive.
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NHL Rumor Roundup: Latest On The Canadiens And Penguins' Off-Season Plans
While the Montreal Canadiens jockey for the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth, some pundits are looking ahead to GM Kent Hughes' off-season plans.
It's assumed Hughes will be in the market for a second-line center. He recently explained that he felt the trade deadline wasn't the best time to pursue that player, but he said he spoke with other GMs to “spitball” some names, including those involving players who didn't appear in the rumor mill before the trade deadline.
Sportsnet's Eric Engels reported Hughes tried to find a center to play with Patrik Laine and Alex Newhook but couldn't find a way to accomplish that objective at the trade deadline. He indicated he won't overpay for one in this summer's free-agent market, preferring to try again in the trade market.
Hughes has done reasonably well in previous off-season trades, adding Laine, Newhook, Kirby Dach, Mike Matheson, and Sean Monahan. His club possesses considerable trade capital, carrying nine picks in the first four rounds of this year's draft (including two first-rounders), a deep pool of prospects and plentiful cap space.
TVA Sports' Marc de Foy believes Hughes is right to be cautious in this summer's free-agent market, pointing out that UFA-eligible centers, such as Toronto's John Tavares, Dallas' Matt Duchene and Colorado's Brock Nelson, are in the mid-thirties. He also indicated Florida's Sam Bennett is 29, but his physical style of play leaves him susceptible to injuries. Chicago’s Ryan Donato is enjoying a career year with 51 points but never reached those heights before this season.
Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Penguins playoff hopes hang by a thread, sitting eight points out of the final Eastern wild-card spot.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now's Dan Kingerski was asked about the possibility of Penguins GM (and former Leafs GM) Kyle Dubas pursuing Mitch Marner if the 27-year-old right winger goes to market on July1.
Kingerski doesn't dismiss the idea, especially if Dubas flips some draft picks this summer for younger players and feels good about the club's direction. However, he acknowledged the rising salary cap would give more teams the cap space to bid for Marner.
Dubas could instead use his cap room to target a rival club's RFA with an offer sheet. He believes JJ Peterka of the Buffalo Sabres could be a prime option.
Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette thinks Dubas should try moving defenseman Erik Karlsson and goaltender Tristan Jarry this summer to free up salary-cap space.
Dubas reportedly spoke with several teams about Karlsson before the trade deadline. If he's willing to retain part of the 34-year-old defenseman's cap hit, he might find a taker this summer. The Penguins carry $10 million of his $11.5-million average annual value through 2026-27.
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NHL Rumor Roundup: Which Players Could Become Offer-Sheet Targets?
The St. Louis Blues' signing away Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg from the Edmonton Oilers with offer sheets was among the NHL's biggest surprises of last summer.
With the salary cap projected to rise from $88 million this season to $95.5 million for 2025-26, several teams with plentiful cap space could be emboldened to follow the Blues' example, targeting some of this summer's notable NHL RFAs.
Chris Johnston of The Athletic believes mid-tier or emerging talent are the most vulnerable since contending teams want to avoid overpaying those players, citing last summer's signings of Holloway and Broberg as examples.
The Oilers' limited salary-cap space was also their undoing. Having invested in re-signing Adam Henrique, Mattias Janmark and Corey Perry and adding Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner earlier in the summer, they had little room to match those offers for Holloway and Broberg, who now play key roles in the Blues' resurgence in the standings.
Johnston suggested Dallas Stars center Mavrik Bourque and Florida Panthers left winger Mackie Samoskevich as possible offer-sheet targets. They're promising young players in the final seasons of their entry-level contracts.
The Stars have a projected cap room of about $5.33 million for next season with pending UFA forwards Jamie Benn, Mikael Granlund and Matt Duchene to re-sign or replace. Meanwhile, the Panthers have $19 million but could prioritize re-signing UFA-eligible core players Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad.
Johnston cited colleague Peter Baugh suggesting left winger Will Cuylle and defenseman K'Andre Miller of the New York Rangers as offer-sheet options.
The Rangers have a projected cap space of $10.6 million. Cuylle is completing his entry-level deal while Miller is an RFA with arbitration rights.
Marco Rossi of the Minnesota Wild could be another. The 23-year-old center is also finishing an entry-level contract. His 54 points in 70 games this season should earn him a significant raise.
The Wild have a projected $21 million in cap space, but NHL.com's Dan Rosen believes they must maintain sufficient long-term cap room for superstar left winger Kirill Kaprizov's contract extension, which could take up $14 million of their cap room starting in 2026-27.
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NHL Rumor Roundup: What's Next For Hurricanes And Canucks In The Summer?
Carolina Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky took a big swing that didn't pan out with Mikko Rantanen. That doesn't mean he'll stop swinging.
Tulsky acquired Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche on Jan. 24. However, he wound up trading the 28-year-old right winger only six weeks later when Rantanen declined to sign a contract extension with the Hurricanes. Carolina shipped him to the Dallas Stars, who signed him to an eight-year contract extension.
However, the experience hasn't dampened Tulsky's willingness to pursue another big name in the trade or free-agent market. He recently told Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic that he intended to use the Hurricanes' cap space for next season to be aggressive in this summer's free-agent market.
PuckPedia indicates the Hurricanes have a projected salary-cap space of $36 million next season with eight players eligible to become UFAs. They include defensemen Brent Burns and Dmitry Orlov, left winger Taylor Hall and goaltender Frederik Andersen.
Tulsky told LeBrun he'd have around $20 million remaining if he re-signed everyone. That's plenty of room to make a big splash in this summer's free-agent pool.
During a subsequent report for TSN, LeBrun said he expected the Hurricanes would pursue Mitch Marner if the Toronto Maple Leafs right winger goes to market on July 1.
Marner is in the final season of a six-year contract with an average annual value of $10.9 million. The Hurricanes attempted to acquire the 27-year-old by offering Rantanen straight up to the Leafs before the trade deadline. However, Marner declined to waive his no-movement clause.
For his part, Marner remains tight-lipped about his future, putting his focus on the remainder of the season. Nevertheless, he will be the top target for clubs like the Hurricanes if available on July 1.
Turning to the Vancouver Canucks, Patrick Johnston of The Province replied to a reader's question about whether they'll pursue a top-six forward in free agency.
Johnston observed that Marner would be the best available player but isn't sure if he'll go to market. Winnipeg Jets left winger Nikolaj Ehlers could also be available, but Johnston questioned whether the Canucks need another small forward.
The Canucks have about $13.3 million of projected cap space for next season, with Brock Boeser and Pius Suter as their pending UFAs. Even if they let those two walk, they can't afford a big ticket free agent without shedding some salary first. They could have better luck boosting their roster in the trade market.
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Could Matthews Eventually Surpass The Goal Records Of Ovechkin And Gretzky?
By Ella Tsotsos, The Hockey News Intern
Alex Ovechkin’s chase of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record has captivated the hockey world, but could Auston Matthews one day emerge as the NHL’s greatest scorer? While Ovechkin continues his quest to surpass Gretzky – he's currently just seven goals away from beating Gretzky's career goals record – Matthews has quietly positioned himself as a future contender to rewrite the record books.
Matthews is one of the NHL’s premier goal-scorers, with a unique blend of skill and finishing ability. At 27 years old, he’s already scored nearly 400 goals and has the potential to average 50-60 goals annually for the next several years. If Matthews can maintain that pace, he could reach 600 goals by his early 30s, putting him within striking distance of Ovechkin and Gretzky. In 2023-24, Matthews scored 69 times to top Ovechkin’s 21st-century record of 65 goals in a season. To be sure, Matthews has a lot of work to do in order to one day pass Ovechkin, but it’s within the realm of possibility.
Matthews is scoring at a pace of 0.64 goals per game through nearly nine seasons. That’s about 52 goals per year if Matthews stays healthy and plays all 82 games – which, granted, is a bit of a leap of faith considering that the Maple Leafs sniper has averaged about 70 games per season over the course of his career. But, if Matthews can stay mostly healthy to avoid injuries and maintain his scoring pace, it is possible that he could surpass Ovechkin and Gretzky.
However, it's not all about Matthews’ pace. Ovechkin, despite being 39 and in his 20th NHL season, is still scoring at an impressive clip and his NHL career could stretch into his early 40s. He’ll likely have well over 900 goals before retiring from the NHL – and perhaps returning to the KHL to close out his career with Dynamo Moscow – making it even more difficult for Matthews to chase him down.
Obviously, age will be a factor for both players. As Matthews enters and progresses through his 30s, his goal output will likely dip, especially if injuries continue to impact his consistency. The fact that Matthews has had some injury issues, combined with Ovechkin’s resilience and his extended career, could tip the scale in Ovechkin’s favor.
In the end, it might not be a matter of Matthews surpassing Ovechkin but whether Matthews can stay healthy, maintain his high level of play and avoid the inevitable decline that comes with age. If he can navigate those obstacles, the door could remain open for Matthews to not only challenge Ovechkin but potentially eclipse both Ovechkin and Gretzky for the NHL’s ultimate goal-scoring crown.
For now, Ovechkin’s chase of Gretzky is the headline, but Matthews' potential to join or even surpass both of them keeps the next chapter of hockey history wide open.
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'Looks Like He Was A Goalie': Oilers' McDavid Reacts To Canadian PM Joining Practice
Canada's new prime minister practised with the Edmonton Oilers, the NHL team he continues to cheer on.
Mark Carney took the ice with the Oilers on Thursday ahead of the team's clash against the Winnipeg Jets, which rank second in the NHL.
Carney was sworn in as Canada's 24th prime minster on March 14. Since then, he spent the past week visiting leaders in France, the United Kingdom and Iqaluit before taking some shots on net on Thursday. The 60-year-old wore an Oilers jersey with his nameplate and the No. 24 on the back.
"Obviously nice to have him here," Oilers captain Connor McDavid said after practice. "He's an Oilers fan, lifelong Oilers fan, and Oilers fans are welcome here for sure, so definitely a unique thing."
Carney was born in Fort Smith, N.W.T., but grew up in Edmonton while Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier and Paul Coffey led the team to Stanley Cup championships.
He even mentioned the Oilers in his speech after winning the Liberal party leadership race to replace outgoing prime minister Justin Trudeau on March 9.
"Yes, we can argue about politics. We can argue about hockey. We can even be an Oilers fan in Ottawa," Carney said at the time. "This is a free country. But when it comes to Canada, we are all on the same side."
Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch appreciated Carney's support.
"I assume not too many former prime ministers have been Oiler fans, so it's nice to have one that cheers for the good team," he told reporters.
Carney chatted with players and coaches and even helped out with drills – although his skates hinted at his usual position on the ice.
"Looks like he was a goalie with those goalie skates," McDavid said.
Indeed he was, putting on the pads as a third-string goaltender for Harvard University's varsity squad in the mid-1980s. He didn't start in net for a game, but he did play part of a 10-2 win for the Crimson against Colgate, stopping all the shots he faced, according to the Harvard Crimson. He was even roommates with former Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli, who captained the team during Carney's senior year.
Carney later became the backup goalie on the University of Oxford's men's hockey team. But despite his hockey experience, he wasn't a practice goalie for the Oilers on Thursday.
"I'm not sure the security detail would like that very much," McDavid said.
The Oilers host the Jets at 9 p.m. ET. As for Carney, he's expected to meet with Alberta premier Danielle Smith, according to the Canadian Press.
- Jonathan Tovell contributed to this report.
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'Give Them The Puck!' — Buffalo Sabres Score Own Goal In Embarrassing Loss To Utah HC
If you thought things could not get any worse for the Buffalo Sabres this year, take a look at what happened in Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Utah Hockey Club.
Down 3-2 in the final minutes of the third period, Buffalo had its goalie pulled and extra attacker on the ice when Utah took a delayed penalty. That should have given the Sabres a power play. Instead, it led to an embarrassing moment that pretty much summed up Buffalo's season.
With the official's hand in the air for the delayed penalty, all Buffalo had to do was allow a Utah player to touch the puck and get a whistle.
Tage Thompson, however, had a different idea.
"Give them the puck. Give them the puck. Give them the puck!" shouted Sabres TV analyst Rob Ray, who became increasingly annoyed as the the Sabres passed the puck around. "Give. Them. The. Puck."
Thompson did not give Utah the puck. Rather, he attempted to pass the puck back to the point.
"I mean, it was kind of a scrambly play, and I was just kind of filling a spot and I got the puck and wasn't really aware that there was a delayed call," said Thompson. "So had that been the case, then I probably would have just tried to attack and shoot it, make them touch it. But yeah, they're kind of sitting there, and thought I had a lane to (Rasmus Dahlin) to the top, and it just went through everybody."
Sadly, Thompson missed his target with his pass and the puck banked off the boards and travelled the length of the ice and towards the net.
"The Sabres throw it away and this is going to maybe go into the net?" added play-by-play commentator Dan Dunleavy. "Off the boards. Oh my goodness, it's in."
"Give them the puck," an angry Ray said again, in disgust.
Ray — and Buffalo fans — had every reason to be frustrated in how Buffalo handled the delayed penalty. After all, it was only two weeks when the Sabres were in a similar situation against the Tampa Bay Lightning, with the team passing the puck around and wasting valuable time rather than get the whistle.
“We’ve gone over this,” coach Lindy Ruff told reporters. “The Tampa game was the same. I don’t know if (Thompson) realized whether they were getting a penalty, but just chalk another one up.”
Utah scored once more as Buffalo had its two-game winning streak snapped. With 15 games remaining, the Sabres are in last place in the Eastern Conference standings — and 29th overall.
"Bad play by me and even worse result," said Thompson.
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'Just Go Play': Playoffs Are Where Maple Leafs' Scott Laughton Will Make His Mark
While some big trades at the NHL trade deadline had immediately positive results, the Toronto Maple Leafs acquiring Scott Laughton from the Philadelphia Flyers isn’t one of them.
Laughton has yet to produce a point in six games as a Leaf, and his role diminished on Wednesday as Max Domi improved his play. Leafs coach Craig Berube cut Laughton’s minutes on Wednesday night against Colorado. Laughton played just 11:13 – his lowest time-on-ice total since Dec. 8.
Laughton's current woes must be humbling as someone who averaged more than 15 minutes of ice time as a Flyer before being traded to the Leafs. But not every trade will be an immediate success, and what matters most is how Laughton handles the transition to a new club and what he does by the playoffs.
“I think he’s trying to probably play the game without making mistakes, and he’s overthinking things instead of just playing,” Berube said of Laughton. “Just play. Be aggressive, do your thing, and that will come around. I do believe that. He wants to do well. He’s just got to loosen up and go play. Use your ability. You’re a good player. You’ve played in the league a long time. Just go play. I think he’s holding back a little bit. Just too safe, almost.”
When you don’t have any offense to point to, and when the Leafs are only 3-3 since the trade deadline, it’s easy to grow frustrated.
Laughton’s under a huge microscope in Toronto, where every shift is hyper-analyzed, and Leafs fans constantly compare him to the best the Buds have had to offer.
But if Laughton can shut out the naysayers, he will work out of this funk and show everyone why Toronto GM Brad Treliving gave up a first-round pick and decent prospect in Nikita Grebenkin for his services.
The Maple Leafs don’t need Laughton to do all the heavy lifting. They have Auston Matthews and John Tavares doing that by centering the top two lines. He just has to settle in – either at center on the third line or on the wing – and read the game.
Toronto beat the Calgary Flames and the Avalanche to regain second place in the Atlantic Division. That will set up the Leafs for a better position in the playoffs, where Laughton’s game best suits the team.
Scoring isn’t his specialty, as his career highs are 18 goals and 43 points. He had 11 goals and 27 points in 60 games for the Flyers before the trade. But his two-way play, penalty-killing, physicality, flexibility between center and left wing and his hockey IQ are what the Leafs need in their bottom six. Since the trade deadline, he ranks second among Leafs forwards in blocked shots, with six, and he has 14 hits.
It’s a matter of time before Laughton fully acclimates to his home team.
“He’s from here, and he’s got a lot going on and people and everything else. You want to please, right,” Berube said. “You’ve got to forget about pleasing and play and do your thing. You’re a good player. That’s why you’re in the National Hockey League for a long time.”
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NHL Sour Rankings: 2025 Mock Draft For The Bottom 10 Teams
The NHL’s playoff picture is coming into focus, which means the bottom-end teams are solidifying their spots in the draft lottery – and the NHL sour rankings.
Whether these teams expected to be at the bottom or not, they must focus on the future. The work to improve will largely begin at the NHL draft, where they will look for prospects to help shape the next era of their franchise.
Let’s mock the top 10 for the 2025 NHL draft based on who could be available for each team and what direction they might go when they are on the clock.
We’re using a reverse order of the standings for the draft order. A key point to remember is that this is a mock draft, not a ranking. This is how the draft could go down, not the order of the best players in my view.
No. 1, San Jose Sharks: Matthew Schaefer, D
The San Jose Sharks have a solid foundation up front with Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith and William Eklund. Quentin Musty and Filip Bystedt are on the way as well.
Their back end has some solid prospects, highlighted by last year’s 11th-overall pick, Sam Dickinson, and the recently recalled Luca Cagnoni. But getting their future No. 1 defender would be a gift if they get to draft first overall for a second straight year. Schaefer has the skating and tools to be a do-it-all defender on both ends of the ice.
No. 2, Chicago Blackhawks: Michael Misa, C
Connor Bedard is the franchise center, but adding Michael Misa would give the Chicago Blackhawks one of the most impressive one-two punches down the middle.
Misa is the most well-rounded forward in the draft. He has an impressive dual-threat offensive upside, a wicked sense of scoring goals in various ways and an excellent vision of play development on the ice. Misa can also insulate Bedard.
No. 3, Nashville Predators: James Hagens, C
The Nashville Predators weren’t supposed to be this bad, but landing Hagens would be a wonderful way to cap off their season that’s had nothing but disappointment. Hagens would be arguably the most dynamic center the team has ever had. His skill and playmaking would give the Predators a player who can manipulate and dictate play offensively in a way they haven’t had enough of over the years. Hagens is a center who could be the pillar the Preds build around moving forward.
No. 4, Buffalo Sabres: Caleb Desnoyers, C
The first moderate surprise is Desnoyers going to the Buffalo Sabres, which are still looking to find their way out of the basement. The Sabres just traded Dylan Cozens, and while they got Josh Norris back in the deal, they will look to build out their depth up front. Desnoyers could fit as a center in the middle six or play on the wing, but his strength is playing a complementary role. That trait could help the Sabres in a big way as they try to find their way.
No. 5, Seattle Kraken: Porter Martone, RW
The Seattle Kraken have been excellent at drafting the highest-end talent regardless of size. This year, they get the chance to add the best player available and some of the size the team lacks in its young talent. Martone has the kind of functional physicality that thrives in the NHL and an incredible knack for making plays through contact. He also has a very good shot and could complement a player, such as Matty Beniers or Shane Wright, moving forward.
No. 6, Philadelphia Flyers: Roger McQueen, C
The Philadelphia Flyers find themselves back in the top 10 of the draft, but there are plenty of reasons to be hopeful with the prospects on the way, such as Denver Barkey and Oliver Bonk, as well as the arrival of Matvei Michkov this season.
Last year, the Flyers took Jett Luchanko in what was considered a conservative and safe pick. That gives them the room to take a risk this year with McQueen. Despite missing most of the year with a back injury, McQueen’s combination of size, skill and scoring ability is a bet some NHL team will make early. The hulking center could be a big swing if McQueen can stay healthy and avoid long-term injury concerns.
No. 7, Pittsburgh Penguins: Victor Eklund, LW
Like his brother a few years back, Victor Eklund goes seventh overall. The Pittsburgh Penguins’ management group is focused on adding skill and… skill. Eklund brings a ton of that and tenacity to make him an instantly effective player in the NHL who can play up and down the lineup. Eklund would be a great addition to a Pittsburgh prospect pool that has grown over the last couple of years, likely asserting himself as the top prospect instantly.
No. 8, Anaheim Ducks: Kashawn Aitcheson, D
The Anaheim Ducks have added a ton of talent up front, and they have some really intriguing young defensemen who can move the puck on the back end. They love their big, bone-crushing defenders as well. Adding Aitcheson would give them a young blueliner who can act as a foil for the puck-moving guys, such as Pavel Mintyukov or Olen Zellweger. Aitcheson is the kind of player the Ducks love with that throwback to rough-and-tumble hockey.
No. 9, Boston Bruins: Jackson Smith, D
The Boston Bruins aren’t used to drafting this high in the draft, but they will look to add a key piece to the next era of Bruins hockey. While they could certainly use some scoring punch up front, the Bruins pipeline lacks everything. Adding Jackson Smith could be a big deal because he has all of the tools to be a very good two-way blueliner. Coming in and eventually learning under Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm would be a perfect situation for the team and player.
No. 10, Detroit Red Wings: Anton Frondell, C
This isn’t just because the Detroit Red Wings love drafting Swedes or that they seem to love their solid, steady centers. Frondell going to the Wings is the perfect spot because it’s a high-end prospect who has dealt with injuries, and it’s a team that has a couple of really solid young centers in Nate Danielson and Marco Kasper but lacks the higher-end prospect Frondell could be.
If Kasper or Danielson end up on the wing because Frondell comes in and takes the No. 2 center spot behind Dylan Larkin, that’s the perfect scenario. Frondell has the steady game that Detroit loves and the offensive upside they need.
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Ovechkin's Chances Of Breaking NHL Goals Record Against Crosby Are High
Alex Ovechkin is nearly the NHL’s top goal-scorer ever – and the likelihood he cements that status against Sidney Crosby continues to grow.
Ovechkin is seven goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record. He scored again on Thursday night against the Philadelphia Flyers. After that, Washington has 13 games left in the regular season.
The big question is when he will break the record and who he will score against.
Ovechkin’s best odds to score his 895th goal is in the last four games of the season, according to Canada Sports Betting (CSB).
The Capitals play against the Columbus Blue Jackets twice, as well as the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins in those final four outings ahead of the post-season.
CSB says Ovechkin has a 71-percent chance of snapping the record in the final game of the season against his longtime rival, Crosby and the Penguins. In all fairness, there is something poetic about resetting the all-time goal record with two of the best players of the last generation sharing the ice.
On a broader scale, Ovechkin will have to go through some elite goaltenders to build up his tally before the end of the regular season. The Winnipeg Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck, Florida Panthers' Sergei Bobrovsky and Islanders’ Ilya Sorokin are some of the goaltenders he may face along the way.
Ovechkin’s scored on Bobrovsky 16 times in his career and 12 times on Vasilevskiy. Only Marc-Andre Fleury’s allowed more goals to Ovechkin among active netminders, with 28.
In 53 games this season with Washington, Ovechkin has 35 goals and 57 points. He’s tied for fifth in the NHL in goals with Buffalo Sabres right winger Tage Thompson and Boston Bruins right winger David Pastrnak.
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Top Five Oldest Players In The NHL
By Neil Misola, The Hockey News Intern
The oldest NHL player ever was ‘Mr. Hockey' himself, Gordie Howe. He was 52 years old when he played his last NHL game with the Hartford Whalers in 1980. Today's generation of older NHL players are nowhere near that age, but as the 2024-25 season continues to unfold, the NHL’s old guard is showing their worth.
Here are the five oldest players in the NHL this season:
1. Marc-Andre Fleury, 40
The Minnesota Wild goaltender has had a long and storied career. He has played in the NHL for 21 seasons and has suited up for four NHL teams. Having turned 40 in November, he’s the oldest active player in the league. Fleury is also one of the most decorated players with three Stanley Cup wins during his time with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Among his individual accomplishments, he’s the second-winningest goaltender of all time, with 573 career victories and counting. Last year, he declared that the 2024-25 season would be his last. Fans should watch his games while they still can.
2. Ryan Suter, 40
Suter, who turned 40 in January, played his first seven NHL seasons for the Nashville Predators, then spent nine years with Minnesota before three campaigns with the Dallas Stars, and now he’s with the St. Louis Blues. He’s also represented the United States in many international tournaments over the past two-plus decades and has won three gold medals in the process. His penchant for international play runs in the family, as his father, Bob Suter, was a member of the U.S. ‘Miracle on Ice’ team at the 1980 Olympics.
3. Brent Burns, 40
In most sports, it can be said that defense is key, and that certainly holds true in the game of hockey. A timely defensive play can mean the difference between victory and defeat. That’s why Burns has been so effective throughout his career. While he started his NHL tenure as a right winger, he soon moved back to the blueline and has played as a defenseman for the vast majority of his time in the big leagues. It’s a role for which he is well suited, with his 6-foot-5, 228-pound frame and smooth mobility. Burns, who turned 40 on March 9, may be past his athletic prime, but his skill and experience make him invaluable.
4. Corey Perry, 39
Nicknamed ‘The Worm’ for his grimy approach to the game, Perry – a one-time 50-goal scorer and Hart Trophy recipient – remains as intense as ever. Perry, who turns 40 in May, won a Stanley Cup with Anaheim in 2007 and has also been to the Cup final four times – with four different teams – since 2020. He’s the first player to reach the Cup final with five separate teams.
5. Alex Ovechkin, 39
The man known as ‘The Great 8’ is 39 years old (he turns 40 in September). Incredibly, he has been playing elite hockey for nearly 25 years, making his debut with Dynamo Moscow of the Russian Super League way back in 2001. On the verge of becoming the NHL’s all-time leading goal-scorer, Ovechkin has amassed a great deal of personal achievements as a player. Among his accomplishments, he’s won the Stanley Cup, a Calder Trophy, three Hart Trophies and has been the NHL’s leading goal-scorer nine times.
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Maybe Mikko Was The Problem: With Rantanen Gone Hall Is Playing Like A No. 1 Overall Pick Again
Maybe Mikko was the problem after all.
How else to explain the transformation that has occurred with Taylor Hall — and the Carolina Hurricanes, in general — since Mikko Rantanen was sent packing at the trade deadline.
Hall, who is on his sixth team in six years, was initially viewed as sort of an afterthought in the three-player trade that brought him and Rantanen to Carolina on January 24. It wasn’t necessarily that the Hurricanes didn't want him. It was more that the Hurricanes needed a spot to park half of Rantanen's salary and agreed to take on Hall, who is a pending UFA, in order to facilitate the trade.
For agreeing to retain 50% of Rantanen's salary, Chicago also earned a third-round pick. Some had suggested even that was too high a return for a veteran winger who seemed way past his prime.
In his first 12 games with the Hurricanes, the 33-year-old didn’t exactly dispel that notion.
Hall, who had just nine goals and 24 points in 46 games with the Blackhawks, managed just a goal and two assists in first 12 games with the Hurricanes. Rantanen, who had two goals and six points in 13 games, was not much better.
Unhappy with Carolina and making it clear he had no intentions of re-signing in the summer, Rantanen was moved to Dallas on the day of the trade deadline. Since then, something has clicked with Hall, who has exploded with six goals and nine points in eight games.
In a 5-2 win against the Anaheim Ducks on March 23, Hall scored a hat trick. A couple of nights later, he was rewarded with a season-high 19 minutes and 18 seconds of ice time. He made the most of it, by blazing by a couple of defenders and scoring his third power play goal since joining the Hurricanes in a 3-1 loss to the Nashville Predators.
In the process, the Hurricanes have won nine of their past 11 games — and are 6-2-0 since the trade deadline.
When asked what Hall has brought to the team, Sebastian Aho was succinct in his scouting report: “Speed.”
Indeed, Hall is looking more and more like the guy who won the Hart Trophy as league MVP with New Jersey in 2017-18. At the very least, he is reminding everyone why he was once a No. 1 overall pick with the Oilers.
“Yeah, I'm getting there,” Hall told reporters. “It's nice to see goals go in. That always help kind of reinforce that you're doing some things well. I mean, on the ice for a goal against at the end of the game, would have kept the game closer, so there's always stuff to fix, but as far as creating chances and feeling like I have a have a good grasp on where the puck's going and things like that, I think it's coming along.”
With Hall leading the way, Carolina appears to have found the sniper they had been hoping Rantanen would have become. If it continues in the playoffs, maybe the Hurricanes will reward Hall with a contract extension.
Who knows, maybe Rantanen — and not Hall — will be viewed as the afterthought in the blockbuster trade.
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What The...Duck: Anaheim Prospect Beckett Sennecke Could Soon Dazzle At NHL Level
By Ken Campbell, Features Writer
The hockey gods said there’d be
days like these, so it’s not as though the young man was terribly
surprised or upset. At an Oshawa Generals’ home game in the dog days of
the season, those same hockey gods took a break from the season-long
heater that Beckett Sennecke was on to deliver him the game’s version of
a week-old egg salad sandwich.
Not only was his team taken to the
woodshed by the tune of 6-1 to a far inferior OHL squad, but Sennecke
had one of those days where absolutely nothing went right. In the first
period, he was sprung for a breakaway, only to bobble the puck before
almost going face-first into the end boards. He completely whiffed on
two one-timers on the power play and had another shot hit the inside of
the post. He thought it was in. The officials respectfully disagreed. He
led all players with six shots on goal that night, and all he had to
show for it was a minus-two. “You get those games,” Sennecke said. “You
get games where everything goes in and the ones where nothing goes in.”
As
far as bumps in the road, there haven’t been too many of them of late
for Sennecke. But there have been some craters, to be sure. An injury
suffered in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference final forced him to miss
the OHL championship, where his teammates fell to the London Knights in
four. And, of course, he was one of the highest-profile cuts of Canada’s
team for the 2025 world juniors. More on that later.
And there
have been some great moments, probably the best of which came at the
Sphere in Las Vegas when the Anaheim Ducks shocked both Sennecke and the
hockey world by taking him third overall in the 2024 NHL draft. What
followed was one of the most authentic and genuine reactions a kid has
ever had to being drafted. Upon the selection, made by Ducks legend
Scott Niedermayer, Sennecke turned to his parents and said, “Oh my God.
Oh my God,” then came up with, “What the f---?” before hugging his
father. It was the moment of the draft, and the Ducks really
leaned into it, producing T-shirts with Sennecke’s bewildered look and a
caption underneath that read, “What the…” followed by the Ducks logo.
“My mom and people in my family bought a few of them,” Sennecke said.
“It was good fun. It was a great moment that will stick with me for the
rest of my life.”
Sennecke’s reaction to being taken third overall turned into a viral sensation and landed him on a team T-shirt.
Many
hockey people had the same reaction – and asked the same question –
when Sennecke was cut from Canada’s WJC team in December. It was
interesting because, in the case of Sennecke and WHL scoring leader
Andrew Cristall in particular, the second-guessing began the moment the
cuts were announced and only intensified as Canada struggled to create
offense in the tournament before losing in the quarterfinal. In
retrospect, Sennecke brings exactly what the team lacked: a bigger guy
who goes hard to the net and has a dangerous shot. In the four games
prior to the selection camp, Sennecke had 14 points, and in the 13 games
after being cut, he racked up 24 points. The fact the OHL named
Sennecke as its player of the month for December represented a nice
little bit of lemon juice on the wound to the Canadian hockey psyche. It
brought up a lot of criticism of how Canada does things for this event,
but the reality was that Sennecke didn’t do enough during camp to sway
the team’s brain trust. And Canada has won a ton of gold medals using
the same formula in the past. “I told him when it happened, ‘Listen,
Michael Jordan got cut, and you’re not the first guy ever to get cut,
even if you felt you deserved to make the team,’” said Ducks GM Pat
Verbeek. “And it’s a lesson. You can never take your foot off the gas,
and there’s no resting on your laurels.”
"You can never take your foot off the gas, and there's no resting on your laurels."
Unless
he makes the Ducks as a full-time NHLer next season, which is unlikely,
Sennecke will have an opportunity to make the 2026 WJC team as a
front-line player. And, this season, he’ll also have the chance to be a
part of another long playoff run with the Generals, who were near the
top of the OHL’s Eastern Conference. For his part, Sennecke doesn’t
dwell too much on the cut from the Canadian team, reasoning that it gave
him a chance to go back to the Gens early and continue his fine season.
Certainly, his play after the cut gave no reason to believe he was in
the doldrums. Next year, Sennecke could follow the path carved by Oshawa
teammate and Colorado Avalanche prospect Calum Ritchie, who spent seven
games in the NHL before being sent back to junior and playing for the
Canadian team.
As Sennecke emerges from Oshawa’s dressing room
with matted hair and wearing a hoodie, it’s impossible not to notice how
slight he is. Verbeek said Sennecke has grown an inch since being
drafted, which would make him 6-foot-4, but he’s still carrying only
about 195 pounds. There is a lot to like there – “Some of it I don’t
think he even realizes it yet,” said Verbeek – in addition to his size.
His long body and stick are a magnet for loose pucks, and he’s an elite
playmaker and finisher in the offensive zone. But much of Sennecke’s
development over the next few years will come off the ice. “I’m not much
of a fortune teller, but the biggest thing is just getting stronger,”
Sennecke said. “I have a workout plan in-season and in the off-season,
(the Ducks) are obviously going to crack down on me, and their biggest
focus is on me getting stronger. I even noticed in camp, guys were so
much faster and stronger, and you have to be able to win puck battles
against those guys.”
Sennecke
has vaulted himself into the public zeitgeist, but before being chosen,
he wasn’t even the most famous person in his family. His mother, former
Canadian national volleyball team member Candice Olson, is one of North
America’s top interior designers and was the star of Divine Design and Candice Tells All,
two long-running series that aired on networks that hockey fans
generally don’t watch. That, however, doesn’t mean her son is in touch
with his textures and colors and matching drapes. For Sennecke,
chartreuse could have been a defenseman named Rick who played for the
Canadiens in the 1970s. “My room is a mess most of the time,” he said.
“She always comes in and starts losing her mind. She’s big into
lighting, and she always likes it so dim. And I’m like, ‘Mom, I can’t
see my food in front of me. Can we turn the lights up a little?’”
"I'm not a fortune teller, but the biggest thing is just getting stronger."
If
things go the way both he and the Ducks are hoping, the future will be
bright enough that Beckett Sennecke won’t have to worry about turning up
the lights.
This article
appeared in our 2025 Future Watch issue. Our cover story focuses on
Ducks prospect Beckett Sennecke, who is tearing it up with the OHL's
Oshawa Generals this season. We also include features on other
exceptional NHL prospects, including: Zayne Parekh, Porter Martone,
Gavin McKenna and more. In addition, we
look at the top 10 prospects in the pipeline for each of the 32 NHL
clubs.
You can get it in print for free when you subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/Free today. All subscriptions include complete access to more than 76 years of articles at The Hockey News Archive.
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John Tavares' Strong Play Makes It Harder For Maple Leafs To Give A Pay Cut
The Toronto Maple Leafs had a big night to continue a bigger season from star center John Tavares Thursday night in Manhattan.
Tavares posted two goals and three points in the Leafs’ 4-3 victory over the New York Rangers, pushing Toronto to a three-game win streak and second place in the Atlantic Division. That brings Tavares up to 29 goals and 60 points in 62 games.
His strong season is evidence the pending UFA will make it harder for the Maple Leafs to ask to take a pay cut.
The 34-year-old has been a model of consistency, averaging nearly a point per game in his 16-season career. He recorded at least a point per game in five seasons, between 0.81 and 0.99 points per game in 10 other seasons, and 0.66 in his rookie campaign. He’s about as dependable as it gets, and although he won’t win any Art Ross Trophies as the NHL’s top point producer, Tavares can always be counted on to put up an above-average amount of offense.
The Maple Leafs have needed that consistency this season, as there have been some months when the squad struggled to produce an above-average amount of scoring. In November and January, they were in the lower half of the NHL in goals-for per game, but Tavares had a combined 14 points in 19 games during that time. The team still ranks ninth overall in goals-for per game across the season.
However, Tavares’ success will make it significantly more difficult to get his signature on a contract extension.
Even with the notable rise in the salary cap ceiling starting next season, the Leafs must figure out a way to bring back superstar UFA right winger Mitch Marner and RFA left winger Matthew Knies, both of whom are younger than Tavares and likely more of a long-term priority.
Marner will get a major raise on his current salary of $10.9 million. Knies will also get far more than his current cap hit of $925,000. Given that the Leafs already have about $68 million in committed salaries for next season – and a cap ceiling of $95.5 million – that will leave about $27.5 million to re-sign Marner, Knies and Tavares and fill out their roster.
For argument’s sake, let’s say Marner agrees to an extension that would pay him $13 million per season. Then, let’s say Knies signs a long-term deal that would bump up his salary to between $7 million and $8 million – for reference, Sportsnet’s Jason Bukala projected about $7.5 million annually if he re-signs for around five years, but AFP Analytics projected a cap hit of between $4 million and $6.6 million. That would leave only $6 million to $7.5 million to give to Tavares – a sizable pay cut from his current $11-million cap hit.
If Tavares’ impact waned this season, a big pay cut would be understandable. But that’s not the case. Asking him to take a pay cut of almost $5 million is not a reward for Tavares’ play. And even if Tavares did accept that kind of pay cut, Toronto still should give new contracts to at least UFA center Steven Lorentz and RFA left winger Nick Robertson. So, something’s got to give on the Leafs’ cap front.
Tavares admirably gave up the Leafs’ captaincy this season. But asking him to surrender many millions of dollars is another story altogether. It’s hard to envision he will happily give a huge hometown discount to the Leafs if it’s one of his final contracts. But there seems to be no other choice. Tavares could be the main victim of the cap crunch unless he tries to take less next season and more once the salary cap increases even more.
Every goal and point Tavares puts up this year will be manna from heaven for Toronto, but it could finalize a ticket out of town for him. It’s going to be a delicate salary cap balance for Leafs GM Brad Treliving, but there’s a very real possibility Tavares could be in the final season of playing for his beloved Maple Leafs.
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Will The Jets Finally Flip The Script In The 2025 Post-Season?
The Winnipeg Jets have been one of the most impressive NHL teams in the 2024-25 regular season. Currently, they’re the Western Conference’s best team – and the second-best team in the league – with a record of 48-18-4. But there’s a nagging element to the Jets – and that’s their sub-par Stanley Cup playoff performances in recent memory. Since 2018-19, Winnipeg has won exactly one playoff round, and they have yet to win a single second-round series game in that span.
It should be clear, then, that there are skeptics with legitimate cause for concern that the Jets will be able to change that in the upcoming playoffs. Winnipeg is probably going to get a showdown against the second and final wild-card team in Round One, but they haven’t been perfect against any of their likely first-round opponents.
For instance: the Jets are 2-1-0 against St. Louis this season, with one of their two wins coming in a shootout. Winnipeg is 1-1-0 against the Vancouver Canucks this year, 2-1-0 against the Calgary Flames and Winnipeg is 2-1-0 against Utah. Clearly, the Jets have been a mortal group, and that could spell doom for them in the opening round.
But here’s the bigger problem with Winnipeg’s playoff aspirations this spring – in the second round, they’re almost certainly going to be pitted against the mighty Dallas Stars or Colorado Avalanche. The Jets are 2-1-0 against Dallas this season, and they’re 3-1-0 against the Avalanche – although one of those wins against the Avs was a 1-0 shutout on Nov. 7, and another win against Colorado came in a 3-2 overtime win.
But forget about the Jets’ regular-season record against Central Division teams. Instead, just bear in mind the fact that both Dallas and Colorado have made major roster improvements since their early-season games against Winnipeg. If the playoff series against the Stars or Avalanche began right now, do you think the Jets would be a heavy favorite to win it? Or any kind of favorite, for that matter? No, we’re betting Winnipeg would be an underdog against Dallas or Colorado. And that’s because their performance in the post-season with their same core of talent simply hasn’t been up to snuff.
This isn’t to say the Jets absolutely aren’t going to shake off the demons of the past and figure out a way to go on a deep playoff run. Winnipeg GM Kevin Cheveldayoff doubled down on his roster last summer, and at this year’s NHL trade deadline, he added only a bottom-six forward in Brandon Tanev and a third-pairing defenseman in Luke Schenn. And we agreed with Cheveldayoff’s minor tinkering; the Jets have been so dominant that they didn’t need drastic changes to the lineup.
Still, that nagging element is going to be there with Winnipeg until they show they’re a different group than the disappointing team that was flushed out with ease in recent years. Remember, in the past two post-seasons, the Jets couldn’t even put up an admirable fight in the first round, winning just one game against Vegas two years ago, and winning only a single game last year against Colorado. Winnipeg’s defeats were quick and painful, and we’re still unsure whether anything is going to be different in that regard this time around.
Being an excellent regular-season team has its benefits. The Jets are going to have home-ice advantage as long as they’re alive in the Western Conference playoffs. And Winnipeg’s 25–5-4 home record will be something to draw on as the Jets try to get at least as far as the Western Conference final. Nevertheless, Winnipeg could once again falter early on in this year’s playoffs. And if they do, Cheveldayoff will no longer have any reason to keep coming back with the same core year after year. And massive changes will be in order if they let down their fans yet again.
It’s the Western Conference final or bust for this Jets team. They’re either going to make people forget about their sub-par past or underscore it as they fizzle out and the biggest fears of their fan base and management become reality.
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Fantasy Hockey Roundtable Community
Four NHL Coaches Who Could Be Job Hunting This Summer
The NHL’s coaching carousel is spinning faster than ever, with multiple teams changing coaches – including the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues – during the current regular season. But the way things are shaping up, there are going to be more changes we should expect to see once this season is over.
With that in mind, here are four coaches likely to part ways with their team this summer. In alphabetical order:
1. Andrew Brunette, Nashville Predators
The Predators have been one of the biggest disappointments this season, posting a 25-35-8 record that puts them in 14th place in the Western Conference. Consequently, the spotlight is squarely on Brunette, who has been on the job in Nashville since May of 2023. That may not sound like a long time for a coach to leave their mark, but if Preds GM Barry Trotz isn’t going to make material changes to his team’s roster, the thing he can change is his coach.
It’s certainly not solely Brunette’s fault that Nashville is where they are in the standings. However, the Predators may opt for a new voice behind the bench. And that would leave Brunette looking for work after this season concludes.
2. Lindy Ruff, Buffalo Sabres
Many eyebrows were raised when greybeard veteran Ruff was hired for his second tour of coaching duty in Buffalo last April. But the Sabres have been unable to improve in Ruff’s latest tenure, generating the Eastern Conference’s worst record at 27-35-6. The 65-year-old Ruff may see his tenure come to an end this coming off-season – especially if the Sabres dismiss GM Kevyn Adams at season’s end. A new GM will want their own coach in place, so Buffalo could be looking for a new bench boss very soon.
Ruff’s near-lifelong connection to the Sabres hasn’t translated into many wins this year, and in the zero-sum business of NHL coaching, that’s all that really matters. Buffalo has to chart a different course as soon as possible, and that’s why we believe Ruff will be sent packing in favor of a younger coach with a different vision for this constantly-changing Sabres roster.
3. Joe Sacco, Boston Bruins
The Bruins were accustomed to performing well in recent years, which is why their sub-par performance this season is such a downer for Boston fans. Jim Montgomery was fired in mid-November, and Sacco was inserted as an interim replacement for him. But that hasn’t done much good at all, and we don’t see Sacco staying on the job once this year comes to an end.
Who will replace Sacco? Well, we see another coach currently employed by another Eastern Conference team – Penguins bench boss Mike Sullivan, who we’ll discuss below – being the choice in Beantown as the Bruins attempt to retool on the fly. Hiring Sullivan for his second stint as Boston’s coach would give the Bs the structure and discipline they’re in dire need of. Sometimes a return to a familiar face makes sense for a team, and that’s where we think the Bruins will be at with Sullivan if and when he becomes a coaching free agent.
4. Mike Sullivan, Pittsburgh Penguins
Sullivan has been Pittsburgh’s coach since December 2015, and he’s led them to two Stanley Cup championships, giving him a lot of leeway in the nine years he’s been on the job with the Penguins. But every coach eventually reaches his "best before" date, and considering that Sullivan’s Pens have failed to make the playoffs for this season and the previous two seasons, the Penguins need a change behind the bench.
Only Tampa Bay’s Jon Cooper – another multi-time Cup winner – has more current tenure than Sullivan, and we expect Sullivan would quickly be picked up by another team once the Penguins let him go. But the Penguins need a different voice now, and it’s time for both Sullivan and the Pens to mutually agree to part ways. All good things eventually come to an end, and it’s high time for the Penguins to move on from Sullivan.
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NHL Calder Trophy Tracker: Flyers' Michkov, Sharks' Smith Lead Best Of The Rest
This year’s NHL rookie class is giving hockey fans a thrilling Calder Trophy race.
San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson and Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf solidified themselves as the likely finalists for the award, despite some very impressive seasons from other freshman NHLers. We ranked that trio last month, but the rest of the class deserves some attention this time.
Let’s take a look, in no particular order, at the rest of the rookie class for the 2024-25 NHL season.
Matvei Michkov, RW, Philadelphia Flyers
67 games, 20 goals, 27 assists, 47 points
Michkov is exactly what the Flyers hoped for. He’s been an offensive dynamo with improved two-way efforts despite some inconsistent moments throughout the year. The relationship with coach John Tortorella has been about as good as they could have hoped, with some tough love.
Michkov has shown some really impressive moments of relentless off-puck play to blend with his elite skill. Only Celebrini has scored more goals this season among the rookie crop, with 21.
Cutter Gauthier, LW, Anaheim Ducks
68 games, 13 goals, 21 assists, 34 points
Gauthier hit his stride in the second half of the season. He’s tied with Will Smith and Huston for the lead in rookie scoring since the 4 Nations Face-Off, with 12 points in 14 games.
Gauthier began to adapt to the pace of the NHL game, and he’s ascended the lineup for the Ducks as of late. The Philadelphia Flyers’ fifth-overall pick in 2022, whose trade request was granted last year, is a heavy shooter who could be a sneaky good breakout candidate for next season. He will likely reach a 40-point rookie campaign.
Will Smith, C, San Jose Sharks
60 games, 13 goals, 22 assists, 35 points
Smith has always been known for his dynamic playmaking, and it’s starting to show up in the NHL. He’s also tied for second among rookies in goals since the 4 Nations Face-Off, with five in 11 games.
While San Jose sits at the bottom of the standings, the vibes around the franchise are immaculate, thanks in part to their young stars, Smith and Celebrini.
There is still plenty of room to grow, and finding out if Smith will be a full-time center in the long term will be a work in progress, but his growth from October to today is promising.
Logan Stankoven, RW, Carolina Hurricanes
63 games, 10 goals, 21 assists, 31 points
Stankoven is one of the most energetic and high-motor rookies in the rookie class, and he was the key piece heading back to the Hurricanes in the Mikko Rantanen trade with the Dallas Stars.
With 29 points in 59 games in Dallas and two points in four contests since the trade, Stankoven needs some time to get used to his new surroundings. We may not see him be fully comfortable until next season, but his style of play should fit right in with the Hurricanes. Tenacious and skilled, Stankoven should be a key contributor in the middle-six for the Hurricanes into the playoffs.
Marco Kasper, C/LW, Detroit Red Wings
63 games, 13 goals, 14 assists, 27 points
The Red Wings have needed a player who can play up and down the lineup and help elevate those around him by being flexible from a stylistic standpoint.
Kasper has played on the left wing on the top line alongside Lucas Raymond and Dylan Larkin or down the middle with Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat. He’s played down the lineup in a defensive role and meaningful minutes on the penalty kill.
Kasper doesn’t have the eye-popping counting stats to get into the Calder conversation, but he’s been excellent overall.
Drew Helleson, D, Anaheim Ducks
42 games, four goals, six assists, 10 points
The fact that Helleson doesn’t put up points will always make him a secondary or tertiary part of the conversation among Anaheim’s young talent, but his steady defense should be appreciated.
Helleson plays a physical game and doesn’t try to do too much with the puck. He tracks play well in his own end and moves the puck to skilled teammates effectively. He’s found a way to be a positive influence on the ice with a bad team. He and Gauthier are tied for the team lead in goals-for percentage at 54.45 and 54.47, respectively, according to evolving-hockey.com.
Mackie Samoskevich, RW, Florida Panthers
59 games, 13 goals, 12 assists, 25 points
The Panthers are unsurprisingly one of the NHL’s best teams this season, but the back half of their season is full of injury troubles. Matthew Tkachuk hasn’t played since the 4 Nations Face-Off, and new acquisition Brad Marchand hasn’t suited up for the team, either.
That’s given Samoskevich the chance to move up the lineup, and the highly skilled right winger has looked fantastic. His puckhandling and energy have been a nice addition to the top six and top power-play unit. He’s been a dual-threat offensive presence that will likely end up down the lineup come playoff time, giving the Panthers the depth needed to win the Cup (again).
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Berube’s Trust In Rielly And Holmberg Proved Costly In Leafs’ Loss To Nashville
When your team is winning games in professional sports, problems you encounter can be swept under the rug. But when you fail, you open yourself up to fair criticism. And after their 5-2 defeat at the hands of the lowly Nashville Predators Saturday night, the Toronto Maple Leafs – and specifically, some of the choices made by Leafs coach Craig Berube – deserve to be questioned.
For one thing, Berube’s most-utilized player – Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly, who logged 24:28 of ice time – was far from in his best form. Now, we’re not as hard on Rielly as many have been this season, but against a Preds team that has struggled mightily on offense this season, Rielly was terrible with his defensive spacing and his play reads. And he didn’t make up for it with any offense at all, finishing the game with a minus-2 plus/minus rating.
Rielly’s usage might have been understandable if the Leafs were down a defenseman because of injury. However, that wasn’t the case – and Toronto defensemen who played a better all-around game than Rielly played significantly fewer minutes than him. Relative newcomer D-man Brandon Carlo played just 15:21, shutdown blueliner Chris Tanev played only 17:11, and shutdown defenseman Jake McCabe logged only 19:17. Giving any of those three more time on ice than Rielly should’ve been a no-brainer for Berube, but that wasn’t how things played out – and the results were hugely disappointing from a defensive standpoint for the Buds.
Another questionable decision by Berube is his ongoing choice to use forward Pontus Holmberg on the Leafs’ third line. Holmberg clearly has a fan in Berube, but we don’t see Holmberg as anything other than a fourth-line forward – and against the Predators, Holmberg was used as Toronto’s third-line left winger. Unsurprisingly, Holmberg had no impact on offense whatsoever – the sixth consecutive game he was held off the scoresheet, and the ninth time in his past ten games he failed to produce a point. And Holmberg’s season point total of six goals and 15 points in 58 games should make it perfectly clear that this is not a player who is any better than a fringe NHLer.
Holmberg’s lack of production might not be as much of a problem if Berube didn’t have a far better option for the third line in trade-deadline-acquisition Scott Laughton, who was on the ice for a team-low 9:52 Saturday. The Leafs spent a first-round draft pick and a decent prospect in Nikita Grebenkin to land Laughton, so why isn’t he getting the benefit of the doubt in favor of Holmberg? Make it make sense, Mr. Coach, and give Laughton more chances than you’ve been giving Holmberg.
Laughton's early days with the Leafs haven't been very impressive – he has zero points through eight games with the Leafs – but if and when his game starts clicking in Toronto, he could be a difference-maker in the playoffs compared to Holmberg.
For the most part, we like the job Berube has done this season. But he’s made some confusing choices of late, and his reliance on Rielly and Holmberg Saturday were not choices that we agree with at all.
As their games grow in importance, the Leafs are going to have increasingly difficult decisions to make. And make no mistake – each and every decision Berube makes is going to fall under a microscope, and the choices he makes could ultimately be the difference between his team winning or losing in the post-season. Berube will have to justify his rationale for questionable moves like the ones he made Saturday because if he can’t, fans and media are going to eat him alive.
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Top NHL Prospects In Future Watch 2025: 76 To 100
It’s not easy making the NHL. Nor should it be. Some make it as teenagers, but many prospects take three, four or even five years to break through to the NHL.
The Hockey News' Future Watch issue features the top 100 team-affiliated prospects in the game every year.
We asked a scout, director of player personnel or GM from each NHL team to provide their input on the top prospects in the game, using a five-to-10-year measuring stick. So, while it’s not surprising that the sure-fire prospects at the top of the list get there quicker, a lower-ranked prospect gets every bit equal opportunity. Jakob Pelletier, Seamus Casey and Alex Turcotte were all ranked in the 90s last year yet have made NHL contributions this season.
We start this project in mid-January after NHL teams have had post-WJC scouting meetings. At that point, we draw a line in the sand about who’s a prospect and who’s an NHLer. In some cases, those scenarios change. That’s why names such as Denton Mateychuk, Lian Bichsel, Liam Ohgren, Fedor Svechkov, Emil Andrae and Josh Doan are listed as prospects even though they’ve broken through as NHLers in the past month or two.
Other players, such as Isaiah George and Owen Pickering, looked to be established NHLers before surprisingly being demoted mid-project. That’s why they’re not listed among the top 100 prospects. - Brian Costello, editor
Let's begin with with the players ranked from 76th to 100th. Keep coming back to TheHockeyNews.com this week for more players on the list, or check out the entire top 100 prospects now with write-ups on each player by being subscribed to The Hockey News.
76. Rutger McGroarty, RW, Pittsburgh PenguinsWilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL)
As a star player in the NCAA and a key performer for the U.S. at the 2024 WJC who was involved in a somewhat splashy trade before even turning pro, McGroarty has a higher profile than most prospects. Still, Pittsburgh is slow-rolling his development, and he’s been working on details in the AHL. The Penguins love his tools, hockey sense and character, and his scoring has picked up. Skating is not a strength. The big question is his ceiling. Does he end up a top-six forward or fringe guy? - Jonathan Bombulie
77. Brendan Brisson, C, New York RangersHartford (AHL)
78. Brad Lambert, C, Winnipeg JetsManitoba (AHL)
79. Emil Hemming, RW, Dallas StarsBarrie (OHL)
80. Nikita Chibrikov, RW, Winnipeg JetsManitoba (AHL)
81. Colby Barlow, LW, Winnipeg JetsOshawa (OHL)
Barlow’s pure goal-scoring ability, which starts with a heavy and accurate shot, leaps off the page. He’s backed it up with consecutive 40-goal seasons in the OHL, too, and the transferability of his offensive instincts was evident in his three-point cameo with the AHL’s Moose last season. The Jets like Barlow’s competitiveness and leadership qualities, which “pulls players into the fight,” said Roy. And the Jets were also encouraged by his work to improve his skating and conditioning. - Jared Clinton
82. Mikhail Gulyayev, D, Colorado AvalancheOmsk (KHL)
83. Linus Eriksson, C, Florida PanthersTimra (Swe.)
84. Stian Solberg, D, Anaheim DucksFarjestad (Swe.)
85. Ethan Gauthier, RW, Tampa Bay LightningDrummondville (QMJHL)
86. Luca Del Bel Belluz, C, Columbus Blue JacketsCleveland (AHL)
87. Ilya Nabokov, G, Colorado AvalancheMagnitogorsk (KHL)
88. Filip Bystedt, C, San Jose SharksSan Jose (AHL)
89. Sam O'Reilly, RW, Edmonton OilersLondon (OHL)
O’Reilly generated buzz heading into the draft after showcasing his mature two-way game during London’s OHL title run. When O’Reilly was still there at the end of Round 1, head scout Rick Pracey convinced Oilers brass to acquire pick No. 32 to snag the right-shot pivot. The former D-man draws rave reviews for his play away from the puck and hockey sense, and Oilers assistant GM Keith Gretzky said he can complement the team’s strong core of centers: “He’s not flashy, but he gets the job done.” - Carol Schram
90. Egor Zavragin, G, Philadelphia FlyersSt. Petersburg (KHL)
91. Anton Wahlberg, C, Buffalo SabresRochester (AHL)
92. Emil Pieniniemi, D, Pittsburgh PenguinsKingston (OHL)
93. Gavin Brindley, C, Columbus Blue JacketsCleveland (AHL)
94. Jani Nyman, LW, Seattle KrakenCoachella Valley (AHL)
95. Seamus Casey, D, New Jersey DevilsUtica (AHL)
If things work out, Casey could be the second coming of Brian Rafalski. When the Devils had injuries to Brett Pesce and Luke Hughes, Casey found himself on the opening-night roster and showed exceptionally well. After putting up outstanding numbers at the University of Michigan, he’s now learning to play a more complete game, though defending will always be challenging at his size. An injury that led to surgery on his hand was a minor setback, but he’s logging huge minutes in Utica when he’s healthy. - Ken Campbell
96. Mikhail Yegorov, G, New Jersey DevilsBoston University (HE)
97. Adam Kleber, D, Buffalo SabresMinnesota-Duluth (NCHC)
98. Marcus Gidlof, G, New York IslandersLeksand (Swe.)
99. Oscar Fisker Molgaard, C, Seattle KrakenHV71 (Swe.)
100. Andrew Cristall, LW, Washington CapitalsSpokane (WHL)
Cristall got a long look in training camp and tied for the lead in pre-season scoring for the Caps. And he’s kept it up back in the WHL as he clinched the league’s scoring title with 132 points. Cristall was dealt from Kelowna to Spokane in January, and he’s fit in seamlessly with Kraken pick Berkly Catton. Cristall brings skill, vision and an ability to find soft spots in the O-zone. An undersized winger, he has made a concerted effort to add strength. Mahoney says that’s helped his skating – an area he could still improve. - Ben Raby
This article appeared in our 2025 Future Watch issue. Our cover story focuses on Ducks prospect Beckett Sennecke, who is tearing it up with the OHL's Oshawa Generals this season. We also include features on other exceptional NHL prospects, including: Zayne Parekh, Porter Martone, Gavin McKenna and more. In addition, we look at the top-10 prospects in the pipeline for each of the 32 NHL clubs.
You can get it in print for free when you subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/Free today. All subscriptions include complete access to more than 76 years of articles at The Hockey News Archive.
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NHL Rumor Roundup: Latest On The Canadiens And Penguins' Off-Season Plans
While the Montreal Canadiens jockey for the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth, some pundits are looking ahead to GM Kent Hughes' off-season plans.
It's assumed Hughes will be in the market for a second-line center. He recently explained that he felt the trade deadline wasn't the best time to pursue that player, but he said he spoke with other GMs to “spitball” some names, including those involving players who didn't appear in the rumor mill before the trade deadline.
Sportsnet's Eric Engels reported Hughes tried to find a center to play with Patrik Laine and Alex Newhook but couldn't find a way to accomplish that objective at the trade deadline. He indicated he won't overpay for one in this summer's free-agent market, preferring to try again in the trade market.
Hughes has done reasonably well in previous off-season trades, adding Laine, Newhook, Kirby Dach, Mike Matheson, and Sean Monahan. His club possesses considerable trade capital, carrying nine picks in the first four rounds of this year's draft (including two first-rounders), a deep pool of prospects and plentiful cap space.
TVA Sports' Marc de Foy believes Hughes is right to be cautious in this summer's free-agent market, pointing out that UFA-eligible centers, such as Toronto's John Tavares, Dallas' Matt Duchene and Colorado's Brock Nelson, are in the mid-thirties. He also indicated Florida's Sam Bennett is 29, but his physical style of play leaves him susceptible to injuries. Chicago’s Ryan Donato is enjoying a career year with 51 points but never reached those heights before this season.
Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Penguins playoff hopes hang by a thread, sitting eight points out of the final Eastern wild-card spot.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now's Dan Kingerski was asked about the possibility of Penguins GM (and former Leafs GM) Kyle Dubas pursuing Mitch Marner if the 27-year-old right winger goes to market on July1.
Kingerski doesn't dismiss the idea, especially if Dubas flips some draft picks this summer for younger players and feels good about the club's direction. However, he acknowledged the rising salary cap would give more teams the cap space to bid for Marner.
Dubas could instead use his cap room to target a rival club's RFA with an offer sheet. He believes JJ Peterka of the Buffalo Sabres could be a prime option.
Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette thinks Dubas should try moving defenseman Erik Karlsson and goaltender Tristan Jarry this summer to free up salary-cap space.
Dubas reportedly spoke with several teams about Karlsson before the trade deadline. If he's willing to retain part of the 34-year-old defenseman's cap hit, he might find a taker this summer. The Penguins carry $10 million of his $11.5-million average annual value through 2026-27.
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NHL Rumor Roundup: Which Players Could Become Offer-Sheet Targets?
The St. Louis Blues' signing away Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg from the Edmonton Oilers with offer sheets was among the NHL's biggest surprises of last summer.
With the salary cap projected to rise from $88 million this season to $95.5 million for 2025-26, several teams with plentiful cap space could be emboldened to follow the Blues' example, targeting some of this summer's notable NHL RFAs.
Chris Johnston of The Athletic believes mid-tier or emerging talent are the most vulnerable since contending teams want to avoid overpaying those players, citing last summer's signings of Holloway and Broberg as examples.
The Oilers' limited salary-cap space was also their undoing. Having invested in re-signing Adam Henrique, Mattias Janmark and Corey Perry and adding Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner earlier in the summer, they had little room to match those offers for Holloway and Broberg, who now play key roles in the Blues' resurgence in the standings.
Johnston suggested Dallas Stars center Mavrik Bourque and Florida Panthers left winger Mackie Samoskevich as possible offer-sheet targets. They're promising young players in the final seasons of their entry-level contracts.
The Stars have a projected cap room of about $5.33 million for next season with pending UFA forwards Jamie Benn, Mikael Granlund and Matt Duchene to re-sign or replace. Meanwhile, the Panthers have $19 million but could prioritize re-signing UFA-eligible core players Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad.
Johnston cited colleague Peter Baugh suggesting left winger Will Cuylle and defenseman K'Andre Miller of the New York Rangers as offer-sheet options.
The Rangers have a projected cap space of $10.6 million. Cuylle is completing his entry-level deal while Miller is an RFA with arbitration rights.
Marco Rossi of the Minnesota Wild could be another. The 23-year-old center is also finishing an entry-level contract. His 54 points in 70 games this season should earn him a significant raise.
The Wild have a projected $21 million in cap space, but NHL.com's Dan Rosen believes they must maintain sufficient long-term cap room for superstar left winger Kirill Kaprizov's contract extension, which could take up $14 million of their cap room starting in 2026-27.
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NHL Rumor Roundup: What's Next For Hurricanes And Canucks In The Summer?
Carolina Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky took a big swing that didn't pan out with Mikko Rantanen. That doesn't mean he'll stop swinging.
Tulsky acquired Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche on Jan. 24. However, he wound up trading the 28-year-old right winger only six weeks later when Rantanen declined to sign a contract extension with the Hurricanes. Carolina shipped him to the Dallas Stars, who signed him to an eight-year contract extension.
However, the experience hasn't dampened Tulsky's willingness to pursue another big name in the trade or free-agent market. He recently told Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic that he intended to use the Hurricanes' cap space for next season to be aggressive in this summer's free-agent market.
PuckPedia indicates the Hurricanes have a projected salary-cap space of $36 million next season with eight players eligible to become UFAs. They include defensemen Brent Burns and Dmitry Orlov, left winger Taylor Hall and goaltender Frederik Andersen.
Tulsky told LeBrun he'd have around $20 million remaining if he re-signed everyone. That's plenty of room to make a big splash in this summer's free-agent pool.
During a subsequent report for TSN, LeBrun said he expected the Hurricanes would pursue Mitch Marner if the Toronto Maple Leafs right winger goes to market on July 1.
Marner is in the final season of a six-year contract with an average annual value of $10.9 million. The Hurricanes attempted to acquire the 27-year-old by offering Rantanen straight up to the Leafs before the trade deadline. However, Marner declined to waive his no-movement clause.
For his part, Marner remains tight-lipped about his future, putting his focus on the remainder of the season. Nevertheless, he will be the top target for clubs like the Hurricanes if available on July 1.
Turning to the Vancouver Canucks, Patrick Johnston of The Province replied to a reader's question about whether they'll pursue a top-six forward in free agency.
Johnston observed that Marner would be the best available player but isn't sure if he'll go to market. Winnipeg Jets left winger Nikolaj Ehlers could also be available, but Johnston questioned whether the Canucks need another small forward.
The Canucks have about $13.3 million of projected cap space for next season, with Brock Boeser and Pius Suter as their pending UFAs. Even if they let those two walk, they can't afford a big ticket free agent without shedding some salary first. They could have better luck boosting their roster in the trade market.
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Could Matthews Eventually Surpass The Goal Records Of Ovechkin And Gretzky?
By Ella Tsotsos, The Hockey News Intern
Alex Ovechkin’s chase of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record has captivated the hockey world, but could Auston Matthews one day emerge as the NHL’s greatest scorer? While Ovechkin continues his quest to surpass Gretzky – he's currently just seven goals away from beating Gretzky's career goals record – Matthews has quietly positioned himself as a future contender to rewrite the record books.
Matthews is one of the NHL’s premier goal-scorers, with a unique blend of skill and finishing ability. At 27 years old, he’s already scored nearly 400 goals and has the potential to average 50-60 goals annually for the next several years. If Matthews can maintain that pace, he could reach 600 goals by his early 30s, putting him within striking distance of Ovechkin and Gretzky. In 2023-24, Matthews scored 69 times to top Ovechkin’s 21st-century record of 65 goals in a season. To be sure, Matthews has a lot of work to do in order to one day pass Ovechkin, but it’s within the realm of possibility.
Matthews is scoring at a pace of 0.64 goals per game through nearly nine seasons. That’s about 52 goals per year if Matthews stays healthy and plays all 82 games – which, granted, is a bit of a leap of faith considering that the Maple Leafs sniper has averaged about 70 games per season over the course of his career. But, if Matthews can stay mostly healthy to avoid injuries and maintain his scoring pace, it is possible that he could surpass Ovechkin and Gretzky.
However, it's not all about Matthews’ pace. Ovechkin, despite being 39 and in his 20th NHL season, is still scoring at an impressive clip and his NHL career could stretch into his early 40s. He’ll likely have well over 900 goals before retiring from the NHL – and perhaps returning to the KHL to close out his career with Dynamo Moscow – making it even more difficult for Matthews to chase him down.
Obviously, age will be a factor for both players. As Matthews enters and progresses through his 30s, his goal output will likely dip, especially if injuries continue to impact his consistency. The fact that Matthews has had some injury issues, combined with Ovechkin’s resilience and his extended career, could tip the scale in Ovechkin’s favor.
In the end, it might not be a matter of Matthews surpassing Ovechkin but whether Matthews can stay healthy, maintain his high level of play and avoid the inevitable decline that comes with age. If he can navigate those obstacles, the door could remain open for Matthews to not only challenge Ovechkin but potentially eclipse both Ovechkin and Gretzky for the NHL’s ultimate goal-scoring crown.
For now, Ovechkin’s chase of Gretzky is the headline, but Matthews' potential to join or even surpass both of them keeps the next chapter of hockey history wide open.
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'Looks Like He Was A Goalie': Oilers' McDavid Reacts To Canadian PM Joining Practice
Canada's new prime minister practised with the Edmonton Oilers, the NHL team he continues to cheer on.
Mark Carney took the ice with the Oilers on Thursday ahead of the team's clash against the Winnipeg Jets, which rank second in the NHL.
Carney was sworn in as Canada's 24th prime minster on March 14. Since then, he spent the past week visiting leaders in France, the United Kingdom and Iqaluit before taking some shots on net on Thursday. The 60-year-old wore an Oilers jersey with his nameplate and the No. 24 on the back.
"Obviously nice to have him here," Oilers captain Connor McDavid said after practice. "He's an Oilers fan, lifelong Oilers fan, and Oilers fans are welcome here for sure, so definitely a unique thing."
Carney was born in Fort Smith, N.W.T., but grew up in Edmonton while Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier and Paul Coffey led the team to Stanley Cup championships.
He even mentioned the Oilers in his speech after winning the Liberal party leadership race to replace outgoing prime minister Justin Trudeau on March 9.
"Yes, we can argue about politics. We can argue about hockey. We can even be an Oilers fan in Ottawa," Carney said at the time. "This is a free country. But when it comes to Canada, we are all on the same side."
Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch appreciated Carney's support.
"I assume not too many former prime ministers have been Oiler fans, so it's nice to have one that cheers for the good team," he told reporters.
Carney chatted with players and coaches and even helped out with drills – although his skates hinted at his usual position on the ice.
"Looks like he was a goalie with those goalie skates," McDavid said.
Indeed he was, putting on the pads as a third-string goaltender for Harvard University's varsity squad in the mid-1980s. He didn't start in net for a game, but he did play part of a 10-2 win for the Crimson against Colgate, stopping all the shots he faced, according to the Harvard Crimson. He was even roommates with former Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli, who captained the team during Carney's senior year.
Carney later became the backup goalie on the University of Oxford's men's hockey team. But despite his hockey experience, he wasn't a practice goalie for the Oilers on Thursday.
"I'm not sure the security detail would like that very much," McDavid said.
The Oilers host the Jets at 9 p.m. ET. As for Carney, he's expected to meet with Alberta premier Danielle Smith, according to the Canadian Press.
- Jonathan Tovell contributed to this report.
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'Give Them The Puck!' — Buffalo Sabres Score Own Goal In Embarrassing Loss To Utah HC
If you thought things could not get any worse for the Buffalo Sabres this year, take a look at what happened in Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Utah Hockey Club.
Down 3-2 in the final minutes of the third period, Buffalo had its goalie pulled and extra attacker on the ice when Utah took a delayed penalty. That should have given the Sabres a power play. Instead, it led to an embarrassing moment that pretty much summed up Buffalo's season.
With the official's hand in the air for the delayed penalty, all Buffalo had to do was allow a Utah player to touch the puck and get a whistle.
Tage Thompson, however, had a different idea.
"Give them the puck. Give them the puck. Give them the puck!" shouted Sabres TV analyst Rob Ray, who became increasingly annoyed as the the Sabres passed the puck around. "Give. Them. The. Puck."
Thompson did not give Utah the puck. Rather, he attempted to pass the puck back to the point.
"I mean, it was kind of a scrambly play, and I was just kind of filling a spot and I got the puck and wasn't really aware that there was a delayed call," said Thompson. "So had that been the case, then I probably would have just tried to attack and shoot it, make them touch it. But yeah, they're kind of sitting there, and thought I had a lane to (Rasmus Dahlin) to the top, and it just went through everybody."
Sadly, Thompson missed his target with his pass and the puck banked off the boards and travelled the length of the ice and towards the net.
"The Sabres throw it away and this is going to maybe go into the net?" added play-by-play commentator Dan Dunleavy. "Off the boards. Oh my goodness, it's in."
"Give them the puck," an angry Ray said again, in disgust.
Ray — and Buffalo fans — had every reason to be frustrated in how Buffalo handled the delayed penalty. After all, it was only two weeks when the Sabres were in a similar situation against the Tampa Bay Lightning, with the team passing the puck around and wasting valuable time rather than get the whistle.
“We’ve gone over this,” coach Lindy Ruff told reporters. “The Tampa game was the same. I don’t know if (Thompson) realized whether they were getting a penalty, but just chalk another one up.”
Utah scored once more as Buffalo had its two-game winning streak snapped. With 15 games remaining, the Sabres are in last place in the Eastern Conference standings — and 29th overall.
"Bad play by me and even worse result," said Thompson.
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'Just Go Play': Playoffs Are Where Maple Leafs' Scott Laughton Will Make His Mark
While some big trades at the NHL trade deadline had immediately positive results, the Toronto Maple Leafs acquiring Scott Laughton from the Philadelphia Flyers isn’t one of them.
Laughton has yet to produce a point in six games as a Leaf, and his role diminished on Wednesday as Max Domi improved his play. Leafs coach Craig Berube cut Laughton’s minutes on Wednesday night against Colorado. Laughton played just 11:13 – his lowest time-on-ice total since Dec. 8.
Laughton's current woes must be humbling as someone who averaged more than 15 minutes of ice time as a Flyer before being traded to the Leafs. But not every trade will be an immediate success, and what matters most is how Laughton handles the transition to a new club and what he does by the playoffs.
“I think he’s trying to probably play the game without making mistakes, and he’s overthinking things instead of just playing,” Berube said of Laughton. “Just play. Be aggressive, do your thing, and that will come around. I do believe that. He wants to do well. He’s just got to loosen up and go play. Use your ability. You’re a good player. You’ve played in the league a long time. Just go play. I think he’s holding back a little bit. Just too safe, almost.”
When you don’t have any offense to point to, and when the Leafs are only 3-3 since the trade deadline, it’s easy to grow frustrated.
Laughton’s under a huge microscope in Toronto, where every shift is hyper-analyzed, and Leafs fans constantly compare him to the best the Buds have had to offer.
But if Laughton can shut out the naysayers, he will work out of this funk and show everyone why Toronto GM Brad Treliving gave up a first-round pick and decent prospect in Nikita Grebenkin for his services.
The Maple Leafs don’t need Laughton to do all the heavy lifting. They have Auston Matthews and John Tavares doing that by centering the top two lines. He just has to settle in – either at center on the third line or on the wing – and read the game.
Toronto beat the Calgary Flames and the Avalanche to regain second place in the Atlantic Division. That will set up the Leafs for a better position in the playoffs, where Laughton’s game best suits the team.
Scoring isn’t his specialty, as his career highs are 18 goals and 43 points. He had 11 goals and 27 points in 60 games for the Flyers before the trade. But his two-way play, penalty-killing, physicality, flexibility between center and left wing and his hockey IQ are what the Leafs need in their bottom six. Since the trade deadline, he ranks second among Leafs forwards in blocked shots, with six, and he has 14 hits.
It’s a matter of time before Laughton fully acclimates to his home team.
“He’s from here, and he’s got a lot going on and people and everything else. You want to please, right,” Berube said. “You’ve got to forget about pleasing and play and do your thing. You’re a good player. That’s why you’re in the National Hockey League for a long time.”
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NHL Sour Rankings: 2025 Mock Draft For The Bottom 10 Teams
The NHL’s playoff picture is coming into focus, which means the bottom-end teams are solidifying their spots in the draft lottery – and the NHL sour rankings.
Whether these teams expected to be at the bottom or not, they must focus on the future. The work to improve will largely begin at the NHL draft, where they will look for prospects to help shape the next era of their franchise.
Let’s mock the top 10 for the 2025 NHL draft based on who could be available for each team and what direction they might go when they are on the clock.
We’re using a reverse order of the standings for the draft order. A key point to remember is that this is a mock draft, not a ranking. This is how the draft could go down, not the order of the best players in my view.
No. 1, San Jose Sharks: Matthew Schaefer, D
The San Jose Sharks have a solid foundation up front with Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith and William Eklund. Quentin Musty and Filip Bystedt are on the way as well.
Their back end has some solid prospects, highlighted by last year’s 11th-overall pick, Sam Dickinson, and the recently recalled Luca Cagnoni. But getting their future No. 1 defender would be a gift if they get to draft first overall for a second straight year. Schaefer has the skating and tools to be a do-it-all defender on both ends of the ice.
No. 2, Chicago Blackhawks: Michael Misa, C
Connor Bedard is the franchise center, but adding Michael Misa would give the Chicago Blackhawks one of the most impressive one-two punches down the middle.
Misa is the most well-rounded forward in the draft. He has an impressive dual-threat offensive upside, a wicked sense of scoring goals in various ways and an excellent vision of play development on the ice. Misa can also insulate Bedard.
No. 3, Nashville Predators: James Hagens, C
The Nashville Predators weren’t supposed to be this bad, but landing Hagens would be a wonderful way to cap off their season that’s had nothing but disappointment. Hagens would be arguably the most dynamic center the team has ever had. His skill and playmaking would give the Predators a player who can manipulate and dictate play offensively in a way they haven’t had enough of over the years. Hagens is a center who could be the pillar the Preds build around moving forward.
No. 4, Buffalo Sabres: Caleb Desnoyers, C
The first moderate surprise is Desnoyers going to the Buffalo Sabres, which are still looking to find their way out of the basement. The Sabres just traded Dylan Cozens, and while they got Josh Norris back in the deal, they will look to build out their depth up front. Desnoyers could fit as a center in the middle six or play on the wing, but his strength is playing a complementary role. That trait could help the Sabres in a big way as they try to find their way.
No. 5, Seattle Kraken: Porter Martone, RW
The Seattle Kraken have been excellent at drafting the highest-end talent regardless of size. This year, they get the chance to add the best player available and some of the size the team lacks in its young talent. Martone has the kind of functional physicality that thrives in the NHL and an incredible knack for making plays through contact. He also has a very good shot and could complement a player, such as Matty Beniers or Shane Wright, moving forward.
No. 6, Philadelphia Flyers: Roger McQueen, C
The Philadelphia Flyers find themselves back in the top 10 of the draft, but there are plenty of reasons to be hopeful with the prospects on the way, such as Denver Barkey and Oliver Bonk, as well as the arrival of Matvei Michkov this season.
Last year, the Flyers took Jett Luchanko in what was considered a conservative and safe pick. That gives them the room to take a risk this year with McQueen. Despite missing most of the year with a back injury, McQueen’s combination of size, skill and scoring ability is a bet some NHL team will make early. The hulking center could be a big swing if McQueen can stay healthy and avoid long-term injury concerns.
No. 7, Pittsburgh Penguins: Victor Eklund, LW
Like his brother a few years back, Victor Eklund goes seventh overall. The Pittsburgh Penguins’ management group is focused on adding skill and… skill. Eklund brings a ton of that and tenacity to make him an instantly effective player in the NHL who can play up and down the lineup. Eklund would be a great addition to a Pittsburgh prospect pool that has grown over the last couple of years, likely asserting himself as the top prospect instantly.
No. 8, Anaheim Ducks: Kashawn Aitcheson, D
The Anaheim Ducks have added a ton of talent up front, and they have some really intriguing young defensemen who can move the puck on the back end. They love their big, bone-crushing defenders as well. Adding Aitcheson would give them a young blueliner who can act as a foil for the puck-moving guys, such as Pavel Mintyukov or Olen Zellweger. Aitcheson is the kind of player the Ducks love with that throwback to rough-and-tumble hockey.
No. 9, Boston Bruins: Jackson Smith, D
The Boston Bruins aren’t used to drafting this high in the draft, but they will look to add a key piece to the next era of Bruins hockey. While they could certainly use some scoring punch up front, the Bruins pipeline lacks everything. Adding Jackson Smith could be a big deal because he has all of the tools to be a very good two-way blueliner. Coming in and eventually learning under Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm would be a perfect situation for the team and player.
No. 10, Detroit Red Wings: Anton Frondell, C
This isn’t just because the Detroit Red Wings love drafting Swedes or that they seem to love their solid, steady centers. Frondell going to the Wings is the perfect spot because it’s a high-end prospect who has dealt with injuries, and it’s a team that has a couple of really solid young centers in Nate Danielson and Marco Kasper but lacks the higher-end prospect Frondell could be.
If Kasper or Danielson end up on the wing because Frondell comes in and takes the No. 2 center spot behind Dylan Larkin, that’s the perfect scenario. Frondell has the steady game that Detroit loves and the offensive upside they need.
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Ovechkin's Chances Of Breaking NHL Goals Record Against Crosby Are High
Alex Ovechkin is nearly the NHL’s top goal-scorer ever – and the likelihood he cements that status against Sidney Crosby continues to grow.
Ovechkin is seven goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record. He scored again on Thursday night against the Philadelphia Flyers. After that, Washington has 13 games left in the regular season.
The big question is when he will break the record and who he will score against.
Ovechkin’s best odds to score his 895th goal is in the last four games of the season, according to Canada Sports Betting (CSB).
The Capitals play against the Columbus Blue Jackets twice, as well as the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins in those final four outings ahead of the post-season.
CSB says Ovechkin has a 71-percent chance of snapping the record in the final game of the season against his longtime rival, Crosby and the Penguins. In all fairness, there is something poetic about resetting the all-time goal record with two of the best players of the last generation sharing the ice.
On a broader scale, Ovechkin will have to go through some elite goaltenders to build up his tally before the end of the regular season. The Winnipeg Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck, Florida Panthers' Sergei Bobrovsky and Islanders’ Ilya Sorokin are some of the goaltenders he may face along the way.
Ovechkin’s scored on Bobrovsky 16 times in his career and 12 times on Vasilevskiy. Only Marc-Andre Fleury’s allowed more goals to Ovechkin among active netminders, with 28.
In 53 games this season with Washington, Ovechkin has 35 goals and 57 points. He’s tied for fifth in the NHL in goals with Buffalo Sabres right winger Tage Thompson and Boston Bruins right winger David Pastrnak.
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Top Five Oldest Players In The NHL
By Neil Misola, The Hockey News Intern
The oldest NHL player ever was ‘Mr. Hockey' himself, Gordie Howe. He was 52 years old when he played his last NHL game with the Hartford Whalers in 1980. Today's generation of older NHL players are nowhere near that age, but as the 2024-25 season continues to unfold, the NHL’s old guard is showing their worth.
Here are the five oldest players in the NHL this season:
1. Marc-Andre Fleury, 40
The Minnesota Wild goaltender has had a long and storied career. He has played in the NHL for 21 seasons and has suited up for four NHL teams. Having turned 40 in November, he’s the oldest active player in the league. Fleury is also one of the most decorated players with three Stanley Cup wins during his time with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Among his individual accomplishments, he’s the second-winningest goaltender of all time, with 573 career victories and counting. Last year, he declared that the 2024-25 season would be his last. Fans should watch his games while they still can.
2. Ryan Suter, 40
Suter, who turned 40 in January, played his first seven NHL seasons for the Nashville Predators, then spent nine years with Minnesota before three campaigns with the Dallas Stars, and now he’s with the St. Louis Blues. He’s also represented the United States in many international tournaments over the past two-plus decades and has won three gold medals in the process. His penchant for international play runs in the family, as his father, Bob Suter, was a member of the U.S. ‘Miracle on Ice’ team at the 1980 Olympics.
3. Brent Burns, 40
In most sports, it can be said that defense is key, and that certainly holds true in the game of hockey. A timely defensive play can mean the difference between victory and defeat. That’s why Burns has been so effective throughout his career. While he started his NHL tenure as a right winger, he soon moved back to the blueline and has played as a defenseman for the vast majority of his time in the big leagues. It’s a role for which he is well suited, with his 6-foot-5, 228-pound frame and smooth mobility. Burns, who turned 40 on March 9, may be past his athletic prime, but his skill and experience make him invaluable.
4. Corey Perry, 39
Nicknamed ‘The Worm’ for his grimy approach to the game, Perry – a one-time 50-goal scorer and Hart Trophy recipient – remains as intense as ever. Perry, who turns 40 in May, won a Stanley Cup with Anaheim in 2007 and has also been to the Cup final four times – with four different teams – since 2020. He’s the first player to reach the Cup final with five separate teams.
5. Alex Ovechkin, 39
The man known as ‘The Great 8’ is 39 years old (he turns 40 in September). Incredibly, he has been playing elite hockey for nearly 25 years, making his debut with Dynamo Moscow of the Russian Super League way back in 2001. On the verge of becoming the NHL’s all-time leading goal-scorer, Ovechkin has amassed a great deal of personal achievements as a player. Among his accomplishments, he’s won the Stanley Cup, a Calder Trophy, three Hart Trophies and has been the NHL’s leading goal-scorer nine times.
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Maybe Mikko Was The Problem: With Rantanen Gone Hall Is Playing Like A No. 1 Overall Pick Again
Maybe Mikko was the problem after all.
How else to explain the transformation that has occurred with Taylor Hall — and the Carolina Hurricanes, in general — since Mikko Rantanen was sent packing at the trade deadline.
Hall, who is on his sixth team in six years, was initially viewed as sort of an afterthought in the three-player trade that brought him and Rantanen to Carolina on January 24. It wasn’t necessarily that the Hurricanes didn't want him. It was more that the Hurricanes needed a spot to park half of Rantanen's salary and agreed to take on Hall, who is a pending UFA, in order to facilitate the trade.
For agreeing to retain 50% of Rantanen's salary, Chicago also earned a third-round pick. Some had suggested even that was too high a return for a veteran winger who seemed way past his prime.
In his first 12 games with the Hurricanes, the 33-year-old didn’t exactly dispel that notion.
Hall, who had just nine goals and 24 points in 46 games with the Blackhawks, managed just a goal and two assists in first 12 games with the Hurricanes. Rantanen, who had two goals and six points in 13 games, was not much better.
Unhappy with Carolina and making it clear he had no intentions of re-signing in the summer, Rantanen was moved to Dallas on the day of the trade deadline. Since then, something has clicked with Hall, who has exploded with six goals and nine points in eight games.
In a 5-2 win against the Anaheim Ducks on March 23, Hall scored a hat trick. A couple of nights later, he was rewarded with a season-high 19 minutes and 18 seconds of ice time. He made the most of it, by blazing by a couple of defenders and scoring his third power play goal since joining the Hurricanes in a 3-1 loss to the Nashville Predators.
In the process, the Hurricanes have won nine of their past 11 games — and are 6-2-0 since the trade deadline.
When asked what Hall has brought to the team, Sebastian Aho was succinct in his scouting report: “Speed.”
Indeed, Hall is looking more and more like the guy who won the Hart Trophy as league MVP with New Jersey in 2017-18. At the very least, he is reminding everyone why he was once a No. 1 overall pick with the Oilers.
“Yeah, I'm getting there,” Hall told reporters. “It's nice to see goals go in. That always help kind of reinforce that you're doing some things well. I mean, on the ice for a goal against at the end of the game, would have kept the game closer, so there's always stuff to fix, but as far as creating chances and feeling like I have a have a good grasp on where the puck's going and things like that, I think it's coming along.”
With Hall leading the way, Carolina appears to have found the sniper they had been hoping Rantanen would have become. If it continues in the playoffs, maybe the Hurricanes will reward Hall with a contract extension.
Who knows, maybe Rantanen — and not Hall — will be viewed as the afterthought in the blockbuster trade.
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What The...Duck: Anaheim Prospect Beckett Sennecke Could Soon Dazzle At NHL Level
By Ken Campbell, Features Writer
The hockey gods said there’d be
days like these, so it’s not as though the young man was terribly
surprised or upset. At an Oshawa Generals’ home game in the dog days of
the season, those same hockey gods took a break from the season-long
heater that Beckett Sennecke was on to deliver him the game’s version of
a week-old egg salad sandwich.
Not only was his team taken to the
woodshed by the tune of 6-1 to a far inferior OHL squad, but Sennecke
had one of those days where absolutely nothing went right. In the first
period, he was sprung for a breakaway, only to bobble the puck before
almost going face-first into the end boards. He completely whiffed on
two one-timers on the power play and had another shot hit the inside of
the post. He thought it was in. The officials respectfully disagreed. He
led all players with six shots on goal that night, and all he had to
show for it was a minus-two. “You get those games,” Sennecke said. “You
get games where everything goes in and the ones where nothing goes in.”
As
far as bumps in the road, there haven’t been too many of them of late
for Sennecke. But there have been some craters, to be sure. An injury
suffered in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference final forced him to miss
the OHL championship, where his teammates fell to the London Knights in
four. And, of course, he was one of the highest-profile cuts of Canada’s
team for the 2025 world juniors. More on that later.
And there
have been some great moments, probably the best of which came at the
Sphere in Las Vegas when the Anaheim Ducks shocked both Sennecke and the
hockey world by taking him third overall in the 2024 NHL draft. What
followed was one of the most authentic and genuine reactions a kid has
ever had to being drafted. Upon the selection, made by Ducks legend
Scott Niedermayer, Sennecke turned to his parents and said, “Oh my God.
Oh my God,” then came up with, “What the f---?” before hugging his
father. It was the moment of the draft, and the Ducks really
leaned into it, producing T-shirts with Sennecke’s bewildered look and a
caption underneath that read, “What the…” followed by the Ducks logo.
“My mom and people in my family bought a few of them,” Sennecke said.
“It was good fun. It was a great moment that will stick with me for the
rest of my life.”
Sennecke’s reaction to being taken third overall turned into a viral sensation and landed him on a team T-shirt.
Many
hockey people had the same reaction – and asked the same question –
when Sennecke was cut from Canada’s WJC team in December. It was
interesting because, in the case of Sennecke and WHL scoring leader
Andrew Cristall in particular, the second-guessing began the moment the
cuts were announced and only intensified as Canada struggled to create
offense in the tournament before losing in the quarterfinal. In
retrospect, Sennecke brings exactly what the team lacked: a bigger guy
who goes hard to the net and has a dangerous shot. In the four games
prior to the selection camp, Sennecke had 14 points, and in the 13 games
after being cut, he racked up 24 points. The fact the OHL named
Sennecke as its player of the month for December represented a nice
little bit of lemon juice on the wound to the Canadian hockey psyche. It
brought up a lot of criticism of how Canada does things for this event,
but the reality was that Sennecke didn’t do enough during camp to sway
the team’s brain trust. And Canada has won a ton of gold medals using
the same formula in the past. “I told him when it happened, ‘Listen,
Michael Jordan got cut, and you’re not the first guy ever to get cut,
even if you felt you deserved to make the team,’” said Ducks GM Pat
Verbeek. “And it’s a lesson. You can never take your foot off the gas,
and there’s no resting on your laurels.”
"You can never take your foot off the gas, and there's no resting on your laurels."
Unless
he makes the Ducks as a full-time NHLer next season, which is unlikely,
Sennecke will have an opportunity to make the 2026 WJC team as a
front-line player. And, this season, he’ll also have the chance to be a
part of another long playoff run with the Generals, who were near the
top of the OHL’s Eastern Conference. For his part, Sennecke doesn’t
dwell too much on the cut from the Canadian team, reasoning that it gave
him a chance to go back to the Gens early and continue his fine season.
Certainly, his play after the cut gave no reason to believe he was in
the doldrums. Next year, Sennecke could follow the path carved by Oshawa
teammate and Colorado Avalanche prospect Calum Ritchie, who spent seven
games in the NHL before being sent back to junior and playing for the
Canadian team.
As Sennecke emerges from Oshawa’s dressing room
with matted hair and wearing a hoodie, it’s impossible not to notice how
slight he is. Verbeek said Sennecke has grown an inch since being
drafted, which would make him 6-foot-4, but he’s still carrying only
about 195 pounds. There is a lot to like there – “Some of it I don’t
think he even realizes it yet,” said Verbeek – in addition to his size.
His long body and stick are a magnet for loose pucks, and he’s an elite
playmaker and finisher in the offensive zone. But much of Sennecke’s
development over the next few years will come off the ice. “I’m not much
of a fortune teller, but the biggest thing is just getting stronger,”
Sennecke said. “I have a workout plan in-season and in the off-season,
(the Ducks) are obviously going to crack down on me, and their biggest
focus is on me getting stronger. I even noticed in camp, guys were so
much faster and stronger, and you have to be able to win puck battles
against those guys.”
Sennecke
has vaulted himself into the public zeitgeist, but before being chosen,
he wasn’t even the most famous person in his family. His mother, former
Canadian national volleyball team member Candice Olson, is one of North
America’s top interior designers and was the star of Divine Design and Candice Tells All,
two long-running series that aired on networks that hockey fans
generally don’t watch. That, however, doesn’t mean her son is in touch
with his textures and colors and matching drapes. For Sennecke,
chartreuse could have been a defenseman named Rick who played for the
Canadiens in the 1970s. “My room is a mess most of the time,” he said.
“She always comes in and starts losing her mind. She’s big into
lighting, and she always likes it so dim. And I’m like, ‘Mom, I can’t
see my food in front of me. Can we turn the lights up a little?’”
"I'm not a fortune teller, but the biggest thing is just getting stronger."
If
things go the way both he and the Ducks are hoping, the future will be
bright enough that Beckett Sennecke won’t have to worry about turning up
the lights.
This article
appeared in our 2025 Future Watch issue. Our cover story focuses on
Ducks prospect Beckett Sennecke, who is tearing it up with the OHL's
Oshawa Generals this season. We also include features on other
exceptional NHL prospects, including: Zayne Parekh, Porter Martone,
Gavin McKenna and more. In addition, we
look at the top 10 prospects in the pipeline for each of the 32 NHL
clubs.
You can get it in print for free when you subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/Free today. All subscriptions include complete access to more than 76 years of articles at The Hockey News Archive.
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John Tavares' Strong Play Makes It Harder For Maple Leafs To Give A Pay Cut
The Toronto Maple Leafs had a big night to continue a bigger season from star center John Tavares Thursday night in Manhattan.
Tavares posted two goals and three points in the Leafs’ 4-3 victory over the New York Rangers, pushing Toronto to a three-game win streak and second place in the Atlantic Division. That brings Tavares up to 29 goals and 60 points in 62 games.
His strong season is evidence the pending UFA will make it harder for the Maple Leafs to ask to take a pay cut.
The 34-year-old has been a model of consistency, averaging nearly a point per game in his 16-season career. He recorded at least a point per game in five seasons, between 0.81 and 0.99 points per game in 10 other seasons, and 0.66 in his rookie campaign. He’s about as dependable as it gets, and although he won’t win any Art Ross Trophies as the NHL’s top point producer, Tavares can always be counted on to put up an above-average amount of offense.
The Maple Leafs have needed that consistency this season, as there have been some months when the squad struggled to produce an above-average amount of scoring. In November and January, they were in the lower half of the NHL in goals-for per game, but Tavares had a combined 14 points in 19 games during that time. The team still ranks ninth overall in goals-for per game across the season.
However, Tavares’ success will make it significantly more difficult to get his signature on a contract extension.
Even with the notable rise in the salary cap ceiling starting next season, the Leafs must figure out a way to bring back superstar UFA right winger Mitch Marner and RFA left winger Matthew Knies, both of whom are younger than Tavares and likely more of a long-term priority.
Marner will get a major raise on his current salary of $10.9 million. Knies will also get far more than his current cap hit of $925,000. Given that the Leafs already have about $68 million in committed salaries for next season – and a cap ceiling of $95.5 million – that will leave about $27.5 million to re-sign Marner, Knies and Tavares and fill out their roster.
For argument’s sake, let’s say Marner agrees to an extension that would pay him $13 million per season. Then, let’s say Knies signs a long-term deal that would bump up his salary to between $7 million and $8 million – for reference, Sportsnet’s Jason Bukala projected about $7.5 million annually if he re-signs for around five years, but AFP Analytics projected a cap hit of between $4 million and $6.6 million. That would leave only $6 million to $7.5 million to give to Tavares – a sizable pay cut from his current $11-million cap hit.
If Tavares’ impact waned this season, a big pay cut would be understandable. But that’s not the case. Asking him to take a pay cut of almost $5 million is not a reward for Tavares’ play. And even if Tavares did accept that kind of pay cut, Toronto still should give new contracts to at least UFA center Steven Lorentz and RFA left winger Nick Robertson. So, something’s got to give on the Leafs’ cap front.
Tavares admirably gave up the Leafs’ captaincy this season. But asking him to surrender many millions of dollars is another story altogether. It’s hard to envision he will happily give a huge hometown discount to the Leafs if it’s one of his final contracts. But there seems to be no other choice. Tavares could be the main victim of the cap crunch unless he tries to take less next season and more once the salary cap increases even more.
Every goal and point Tavares puts up this year will be manna from heaven for Toronto, but it could finalize a ticket out of town for him. It’s going to be a delicate salary cap balance for Leafs GM Brad Treliving, but there’s a very real possibility Tavares could be in the final season of playing for his beloved Maple Leafs.
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Will The Jets Finally Flip The Script In The 2025 Post-Season?
The Winnipeg Jets have been one of the most impressive NHL teams in the 2024-25 regular season. Currently, they’re the Western Conference’s best team – and the second-best team in the league – with a record of 48-18-4. But there’s a nagging element to the Jets – and that’s their sub-par Stanley Cup playoff performances in recent memory. Since 2018-19, Winnipeg has won exactly one playoff round, and they have yet to win a single second-round series game in that span.
It should be clear, then, that there are skeptics with legitimate cause for concern that the Jets will be able to change that in the upcoming playoffs. Winnipeg is probably going to get a showdown against the second and final wild-card team in Round One, but they haven’t been perfect against any of their likely first-round opponents.
For instance: the Jets are 2-1-0 against St. Louis this season, with one of their two wins coming in a shootout. Winnipeg is 1-1-0 against the Vancouver Canucks this year, 2-1-0 against the Calgary Flames and Winnipeg is 2-1-0 against Utah. Clearly, the Jets have been a mortal group, and that could spell doom for them in the opening round.
But here’s the bigger problem with Winnipeg’s playoff aspirations this spring – in the second round, they’re almost certainly going to be pitted against the mighty Dallas Stars or Colorado Avalanche. The Jets are 2-1-0 against Dallas this season, and they’re 3-1-0 against the Avalanche – although one of those wins against the Avs was a 1-0 shutout on Nov. 7, and another win against Colorado came in a 3-2 overtime win.
But forget about the Jets’ regular-season record against Central Division teams. Instead, just bear in mind the fact that both Dallas and Colorado have made major roster improvements since their early-season games against Winnipeg. If the playoff series against the Stars or Avalanche began right now, do you think the Jets would be a heavy favorite to win it? Or any kind of favorite, for that matter? No, we’re betting Winnipeg would be an underdog against Dallas or Colorado. And that’s because their performance in the post-season with their same core of talent simply hasn’t been up to snuff.
This isn’t to say the Jets absolutely aren’t going to shake off the demons of the past and figure out a way to go on a deep playoff run. Winnipeg GM Kevin Cheveldayoff doubled down on his roster last summer, and at this year’s NHL trade deadline, he added only a bottom-six forward in Brandon Tanev and a third-pairing defenseman in Luke Schenn. And we agreed with Cheveldayoff’s minor tinkering; the Jets have been so dominant that they didn’t need drastic changes to the lineup.
Still, that nagging element is going to be there with Winnipeg until they show they’re a different group than the disappointing team that was flushed out with ease in recent years. Remember, in the past two post-seasons, the Jets couldn’t even put up an admirable fight in the first round, winning just one game against Vegas two years ago, and winning only a single game last year against Colorado. Winnipeg’s defeats were quick and painful, and we’re still unsure whether anything is going to be different in that regard this time around.
Being an excellent regular-season team has its benefits. The Jets are going to have home-ice advantage as long as they’re alive in the Western Conference playoffs. And Winnipeg’s 25–5-4 home record will be something to draw on as the Jets try to get at least as far as the Western Conference final. Nevertheless, Winnipeg could once again falter early on in this year’s playoffs. And if they do, Cheveldayoff will no longer have any reason to keep coming back with the same core year after year. And massive changes will be in order if they let down their fans yet again.
It’s the Western Conference final or bust for this Jets team. They’re either going to make people forget about their sub-par past or underscore it as they fizzle out and the biggest fears of their fan base and management become reality.
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About Fantasy Hockey RoundtableHockey fantasy news, video, analysis and community on The Hockey News
For full fantasy coverage go to https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/fantasy/GraemeOct 12, 2023
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