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The Misery Is Over: Philadelphia Flyers Fire Tortorella With Nine Games Remaining
The misery is over. At least it is for John Tortorella.
Two days after losing 7-2 to the Toronto Maple Leafs — the second straight seven-goal loss during a losing streak that has stretched on for six games — the Philadelphia Flyers coach is done for the season. The Flyers have nine games remaining, but Tortorella won’t be coaching them.
Associate coach Brad Shaw takes over interim coaching duties. He coached 40 games for the New York Islanders in 2005-06, going 18-18-4, and he was an associate or assistant coach in St. Louis, Columbus and Vancouver before joining the Flyers in 2022-23.
“Today I made the very difficult decision to move on from John as our head coach,” said GM Daniel Briere. “John played a vital role in our rebuild. He set a standard of play and re-established what it means to be a Philadelphia Flyer. John’s passion on the bench was only equaled by his charitable work in our community. As we move into the next chapter of this rebuild, I felt this was the best for our team to move forward. I’d like to thank John for his tireless wok and commitment to the Flyers.”
Tortorella was hired in Philadelphia in 2022-23, taking over a rebuilding team that had already moved on from previous captain Claude Giroux. In his first season, the Flyers finished with the third-worst record in the Eastern Conference. But last season, he exceeded expectations — and temporarily flirted with a playoff spot — as the team missed out on a wild-card spot by just four points.
This year, however, he could not build on that success.
The Flyers, who have gone the past 14 games without a regulation win, have the worst winning percentage in the East. It doesn’t help that they were sellers at the trade deadline, having moved veterans Scott Laughton, Andrei Kuzmenko and Erik Johnson. But either way, it appears that even Tortorella was growing tired of all the losing.
“It’s my job to prepare this team in this type of situation. I haven’t done a good enough job in the past couple of games,” Tortorella said following the blowout loss to the Leafs on Tuesday. “When you’re in this type of situation where you’re losing all the time and there’s nothing at the end of the tunnel for you, there’s certainly going to be some frustration. But this falls on me.
“I’m not really interested in learning how to coach in this type of season with where we’re at right now, but I have to do a better job. So this falls on me.”
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Are The Boston Bruins Really This Awful?
Man, Jake DeBrusk must have been much better than we all thought. Ever since he's left the Boston Bruins, they've gone to the dogs.
Well, not really. When the calendar turned to 2025, the Bruins were in third place in the Atlantic Division, firmly in possession of a playoff spot. Since then, disaster. They've not only foundered, but they traded away franchise stalwarts Brad Marchand and Brandon Carlo for futures.
Yes, they have a ton of cap space this summer. But so do a lot of other teams. Yes, they have a decent core of players signed long-term, but that might just prompt them to continue chasing a contender status that just isn't there.
This is a team that looks destined to be in the mushy middle, which is kind of the worst place in the NHL, for a few years.
Today's video column has more.
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Top NHL Prospects In Future Watch 2025: 26 To 50
The Hockey News' Future Watch issue features the top 100 NHL-affiliated prospects in the sport, and there are some promising players between 26th and 50th on the list.
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.
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.
That’s why names such as Denton Mateychuk are listed as prospects even though they’ve broken through as NHLers in the past month or two.
Catch up on the players placed 51st to 75th and 76th to 100th. Or check out the entire top 100 prospects list now with write-ups on each player by being subscribed to The Hockey News.
26. Berkly Catton, C, Seattle KrakenSpokane (WHL)
27. Denton Mateychuk, D, Columbus Blue JacketsCleveland (AHL)
Mateychuk impressed in a second consecutive pre-season, but the Blue Jackets’ defensive depth didn’t leave a spot open for him. He didn’t complain, instead going to Cleveland to begin his pro career and helping the Monsters get off to a great start by scoring at nearly a point-a-game pace. An injury opened the door for Mateychuk to make his NHL debut Dec. 23, and he hasn’t looked back. He’s already locked up a spot on the second D-pairing and second power-play unit. - Brian Hedger
28. Kevin Korchinski, D, Chicago BlackhawksRockford (AHL)
29. Daniil But, LW, Utah Hockey ClubYaroslavl (KHL)
30. Cayden Lindstrom, C, Columbus Blue JacketsMedicine Hat (WHL)
31. Nate Danielson, C, Detroit Red WingsGrand Rapids (AHL)
32. Tom Willander, D, Vancouver CanucksBoston University (HE)
A strong NCAA freshman season put Willander on a fast development track. His skating and puck movement are elite, and there are no missing links in his game. Willander is adept at breaking up plays at his own blueline and quickly pivoting to go on the attack. He plays without panic, and his poise has him looking like a high-end blueliner. “Very strong and mature kid with how he carries himself,” Canucks assistant GM Ryan Johnson said. “A lot to work with. Very coachable and real passion for the game.” - Ben Kuzma
33. Trevor Connelly, LW, Vegas Golden KnightsProvidence (HE)
34. Oliver Bonk, D, Philadelphia FlyersLondon (OHL)
35. Easton Cowan, RW, Toronto Maple LeafsLondon (OHL)
36. Tanner Molendyk, D, Nashville PredatorsMedicine Hat (WHL)
37. Jesper Wallstedt, G, Minnesota WildIowa (AHL)
38. Cole Eiserman, LW, New York IslandersBoston University (HE)
When the Isles chose Eiserman in 2024, it was their first time picking in Round 1 since 2019. He’s a gifted scorer and skater who plays with hunger around the net. Eiserman produced at a point-per-game pace at this year’s world juniors, and he’s continued that level of production in the NCAA. Armed with an accurate shot and strong passing ability, Eiserman was considered the best goal-scorer in last year’s draft class. “He fits the profile of a goal-scorer,” Islanders assistant GM Chris Lamoriello said. - Matt Caputo
39. Adam Jiricek, D, St. Louis BluesBrantford (OHL)
40. Bradly Nadeau, LW, Carolina HurricanesChicago (AHL)
41. Quentin Musty, LW, San Jose SharksSudbury (OHL)
42. Michael Hage, C, Montreal CanadiensMichigan (Big Ten)
43. Ivan Miroshnichenko, LW, Washington CapitalsHershey (AHL)
44. Tristan Luneau, D, Anaheim DucksSan Diego (AHL)
45. Brennan Othmann, LW, New York RangersHartford (AHL)
It wasn’t the start to his second AHL season Othmann had hoped for. After being sent to Hartford following Rangers training camp – where he had four points in six pre-season games – Othmann suffered an upper-body injury in his third AHL game, sidelining him for two months. He had to hit the reset button upon returning but got rolling in late January. Othmann brings toughness, a north-south style and a quick release. He’s striving to upgrade his skating and defense. - Steve Zipay
46. Trey Augustine, G, Detroit Red WingsMichigan State (Big Ten)
47. Liam Greentree, RW, Los Angeles KingsWindsor (OHL)
48. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, RW, Detroit Red WingsSkelleftea (Swe.)
49. David Edstrom, C, Nashville PredatorsFrolunda (Swe.)
50. Danila Yurov, RW, Minnesota WildMagnitogorsk (KHL)
This appeared in our 2025 Future Watch magazine 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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How Evander Kane And Trent Frederic Could Reshape The Oilers’ Lineup Come Playoff Time
When the Edmonton Oilers ice their 2024-25 playoff lineup, it could look much different than the roster looks right now. Both Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will soon be back in the lineup — both are nursing minor injuries, but Draisaitl returns Saturday versus the Calgary Flames — but newly acquired Trent Frederic will be hopefully ready before mid-April, and LTIR forward Evander Kane should be set for playoff action.
Edmonton's forward makeup will change with the addition of four key forwards. The team will have to make some difficult decisions, pulling ready-to-go forwards and potentially contributing pieces.
The Team Will Be Adding Toughness
Both Kane and Frederic will bring a more physical element to the team, but how effective either will be isn’t clear. For Frederic, he hasn’t played a single game with the Oilers since coming over from the Boston Bruins in a trade the Oilers made at the deadline. The assumption is that a healthy Frederic will pick up where he left off with the Bruins, but a new team and a new environment could bring new challenges, and it may take some time for Frederic to find chemistry with other Oilers forwards.
As for Kane, he’s missed the entire season. He’s a gifted scorer who brings an edge and he’s played well after long stints away before. Will it work out this time around?
If Frederic and Kane can find their games, and rather quickly, they will be important as the intensity and physicality of playoff games ramp up. The Oilers still rank last in the NHL for hits. They have just 1047 on the season, while the Florida Panthers – Edmonton’s Stanley Cup Final opponent from last season – have nearly double the Oilers' hit count (2083).
Who Comes Out of the Lineup?
With Frederic and Kane both being top-nine guys and McDavid and Draisaitl clearly in the top six, there will be some line juggling. In some cases, the top-nine will likely drop down, with some bottom-line forwards needing to come out.
Max Jones is likely the first candidate to come out. He was added with Frederic in the trade with the Bruins and wasn’t likely to be a regular. Injuries and some solid play have allowed Jones to play some decent minutes, but he’s arguably a less-skilled forechecker, so his minutes can and will be replaced by one of Frederic or Kane.
Kasperi Kapanen is another player who could be the odd man out. Picked up earlier this season via waivers, he has added speed to the Oilers' lineup. But with just five goals and 11 points in 47 games, he’s not scoring enough to be an effective goal producer, and he doesn’t hit enough or kill penalties. There isn’t a specific element he brings that couldn’t be upgraded with any one of the four players currently out of the lineup.
Jeff Skinner Has Changed the Narrative
Just a few weeks ago, Jeff Skinner would have been the obvious choice to come out of the lineup based on how often he was made a healthy scratch. However, without Edmonton’s two top stars, Skinner’s minutes have shot up, and he’s stepping up with perfect timing. In his last four games, Skinner has averaged 17:03 minutes on the ice. In those four games, he’s got three goals, two of which were scored in the Oilers' 4-3 overtime loss to the Jets on March 20.
Not only is he showing that he should remain in the lineup, but keeping him in the top six (top nine at a minimum) is an obvious choice.
Oilers Forward Core Could Go From Questionable to a Strength
One of the knocks on the Oilers this season was how big a swing they took in the summer with the signings of Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson. The chemistry wasn’t there early and both players looked like a miss. They’ve since picked up their play, as have other forwards who were struggling early.
If those players pick up their production levels and Kane and Frederic can impact games, the Oilers' forward group looks strong.
Depending on whether Frederic plays center or wing, McDavid, Hyman, and Nugent-Hopkins could make up the first line. Draisaitl, Skinner, and Arvidsson could be line two. And Frederic could center Kane and Connor Brown, while Henrique could be the pivot for Corey Perry and Mattias Janmark.
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Alex Ovechkin Vs. Wayne Gretzky: The Tale Of The Tape In NHL Record Chase
Part of what makes Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goal-scoring record so compelling is that the two players are polar opposites in some ways yet stunningly similar in others.
Gretzky played 1,487 career NHL games, finishing with 894 goals. After being held off the scoresheet in Minnesota on Thursday, Ovechkin has played 1,482. He’s at 889.
As far as the differences go — besides hailing from opposite sides of the world, Ovechkin is a mountain of a man at 6-foot-3 and 238 pounds, a big hitter as well as a powerful shooter.
Gretzky’s biggest asset was his brain. Slippery and cerebral, he checked in at six-feet and 185 pounds, often with an enforcer like Dave Semenko or Marty McSorley on his wing to help create open ice for him.
While Gretzky’s goal-scoring record has stood up for more than a quarter-century, scoring was really just a sideline for The Great One.
His true calling card was his setup ability. Gretzky’s 1,963 career assists are more than 50 percent higher than second-place Ron Francis (1,249) and nearly double the NHL’s active leader, Sidney Crosby (1,058), who’s currently 10th all-time.
Here's more on the distinct paths that Ovechkin and Gretzky have taken up the NHL’s goal-scoring mountain.
Gretzky: Younger
After starting in the WHA as a 17-year-old, Gretzky was 18 years and eight months old when he made his NHL debut with the Edmonton Oilers on Oct. 10, 1979.
He wrapped up on April 14, 1999, at 38 years and nearly three months.
As for Ovechkin, his Sept. 17 birthday made him one of the oldest players in his 2004 draft class. He was born two days too late to qualify for the famed class of 2003.
Then, the 2004-05 full-season lockout eliminated any opportunity for Ovechkin to play in the NHL as a 19-year-old. He was 20 years and two weeks old when he finally made his NHL debut on Oct. 5, 2005 — almost two full years older than Sidney Crosby, who played his first game on the same day.
Ovechkin started this season at age 39 and is showing no sign of slowing down. His 36 goals rank him fourth in the NHL in 2024-25.
Ovechkin: Quicker
Ovechkin introduced himself in his very first game, scoring twice in the Capitals’ 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. By the 15-game mark, he was already up to 12 goals and had five two-goal games. He finished his rookie season with 52 goals and won the Calder Trophy.
Gretzky’s reputation preceded him thanks to his 110-point year in the WHA, but he didn’t log his first NHL goal until his third game — a 4-4 tie against the Vancouver Canucks on Oct. 14, 1979.
His first multi-goal night came against the New York Islanders in his 10th game, and at Game 15, he was sitting at six goals. But Gretzky picked up steam as the year went on, finishing with 51 goals in 78 games and tying Marcel Dionne of the Los Angeles Kings for the league lead in points. Because he had already played a pro season, Gretzky was ruled to be ineligible for the Calder Trophy.
Gretzky: Streakier
In his third NHL season in 1981-82, Gretzky set the single-season record with 92 goals in 80 games. That record still stands, and the closest challenger was – Gretzky again, with 87 goals in 1983-84. Then comes Brett Hull at 86.
Gretzky’s goal-scoring slowed significantly in the later part of his career. He won five goal-scoring titles, all during his time with the Edmonton Oilers in the 1980s, and scored at least 40 goals in each of his first 12 seasons.
After that, the closest he came was 38 goals in 1993-94. That’s the year he passed Gordie Howe with his record-setting 802nd goal. He played five more seasons before hanging up his skates at No. 894.
Ovechkin: Steadier
Ovechkin also peaked in his third season, with 65 goals – tied for 24th all-time. While he didn’t match Gretzky’s dizzying heights early in his career, he has only dipped below 30 goals once – and that was the 56-game 2020-21 season, his 16th year.
All told, Ovechkin has 19 seasons with at least 30 goals, 13 with more than 40 goals, and nine goal-scoring titles. Both players have had five 50-goal seasons, but Gretzky cracked 60 goals five times, while Ovechkin only did it once.
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Tortorella Gone, But Many Flyers Problems Remain
John Tortorella has a lot of redeeming qualities, including
the fact he develops a culture with his hard-driving, old-school style.
But he was the wrong fit for the Philadelphia Flyers, who
dismissed the 66-year-old coach Thursday toward the end of another
disappointing season.
The Flyers are still a bad team, but maybe the players will
develop quicker without the fear of being benched if they make a mistake. That
was a Tortorella trademark, and it didn’t seem to sit well with the players or
management.
A young, rebuilding team like the Flyers needs someone who
can nurture players, get the most out of their potential.
That wasn’t a strength – or the MO – of the no-nonsense
Tortorella.
In three years under Tortorella, the Flyers went 97-107-33
and missed the playoffs each year. The team overachieved for most of last
season, then collapsed near the end, losing eight straight and blowing a
playoff spot.
Despite the addition of wunderkind Matvei Michkov, the team
has regressed greatly this season. The Flyers are 28-36-9, have lost 11 of
their last 12 and have the NHL’s fourth-worst winning percentage.
The Flyers will miss the playoffs for a fifth straight
season, matching the worst span in franchise history.
Biggest Issue
Worse, the younger players – other than Michkov and Noah
Cates – didn’t develop.
Former first-round picks Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost
were traded because of their struggles.
Promising defensemen Cam York, who made
a gaffe in Tuesday’s 7-2 loss in Toronto and was subsequently benched the rest
of the game, and Jamie Drysdale have been extremely inconsistent.
Right winger Owen
Tippett, a team cornerstone at 26, has taken a step backward. The goalies and
the defense have been abysmal. Ditto the overall offense.
Tortorella sounded like he had packed in the season after
Tuesday’s shellacking in Toronto.
“I’m not really interested in learning how to coach in this
type of season,” he told reporters.
Maybe he meant he just hates coaching when there is nothing
at stake, which is understandable. But it came across as a man who was fed up
and had thrown in the towel on the season. Not a good look for the team’s leader.
Two days later, he was fired and replaced by interim coach
Brad Shaw.
Yes, Tortorella won a Cup in Tampa Bay ages ago, but his teams have not been in the post-season in six of the last 10
years. Including time in Vancouver and Columbus, he has gotten past Round 1
once in the last 10 years. Those aren't great results.
Dismal Times
Flyers GM Danny Briere said all the obligatory things
after Tortorella was dismissed. He called it a “very difficult decision,”
saying Tortorella played a “vital role” in the rebuild and “set the standard of
play and re-established what it means to be a Philadelphia Flyer.”
From here, it means missing the playoffs, not having a true
No. 1 or No. 2 center, watching too many young players regress and again
searching for the dependable goalie.
Other than that, the Flyers resemble the franchise’s 1973-74
and 1974-75 Stanley Cup champs.
That’s not a slap at the current team. They try hard. They
rarely get outworked. But they just don’t have the talent to compete.
Now the attention is focused on Briere, who needs to be
active in the trade and free-agent markets, and do well in the draft. He has
seven picks in the first two rounds in June. With the way some of those
previous top choices have panned out (with other GMs in charge), maybe it’s
time to deal some of those picks for established players?
Tortorella is gone, but the other problems – a lack of
talent at key positions, failure to develop promising prospects – haven't gone
away.
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Brad Marchand Gunning For First Cup In 14 Years – No Wonder He's With The Panthers
Brad Marchand is on the verge of making his debut with the Florida Panthers.
He practised again on Thursday and could suit up as soon as Friday against the Utah Hockey Club, according to The Hockey News’ David Dwork.
Marchand has an eight-team no-trade clause, but the reason the Boston Bruins traded their captain to the Panthers was clear – he wanted to go to Florida because of its status as a front-runner for the Stanley Cup.
Despite Marchand’s experience winning a Cup with the Bruins, when you look back at his career, you see how long ago it was when he won it all and why winning another Cup is so important.
Boston’s last Cup win came in 2010-11, Marchand’s first full NHL season. During that playoff run, the Atlanta Thrashers relocated to Winnipeg. Boston drafted Dougie Hamilton after that, and superstars Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews were still years away from joining the league.
Marchand and the Bruins did make the Cup final again in 2012-13 and 2018-19, but since then, the team hasn’t gotten out of the second round.
You can see, then, why Marchand wanted to play for a proven playoff threat like the Panthers if the Bruins wanted to trade him. He’s 36 years old right now, and like all players his age, his opportunities to win another Cup could be few and far between. Winning another Cup wasn’t going to happen with the subpar Bruins this year, and he likely has more appreciation of how much work goes into winning it all.
Marchand is a proven winner and needle-mover in the post-season, producing 82 assists and 138 points in 157 career playoff games. He had 10 points in 11 games last post-season. But you never know what fate the hockey gods will hand you. He needed to strike while the iron is hot.
Marchand could make a case for being a Hockey Hall of Famer. Winning another Cup – or two – would significantly improve his odds of being a Hall of Famer rather than being in the Hall of Very Good.
If this season ends with Marchand hoisting the Cup, you’d forgive him for either chasing the money this summer, returning to Boston or maybe going to play with Sidney Crosby in Pittsburgh. If he doesn’t win, Cup front-runners should try to sign him in free agency.
As an accomplished veteran, Marchand has earned the right to call his own shot at this point in his career. So you can’t fault him for looking for a proven road to another Cup final appearance. Marchand is in it to win it, and that’s why he’s chosen the path he’s now on.
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Five NHL Defensemen Having Breakout Seasons
The development path for an NHL defensemen can be quite long, having to add multiple elements to their game. For some, the transition happens almost seamlessly, like Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes or Miro Heiskanen, but for others, a season or two before it all clicks in is expected. Recently, defensemen like Thomas Harley, Brock Faber and Rasmus Sandin have taken advantage of developing in other leagues before becoming impact players in the NHL.
It’s quite rare for a defenseman to burst onto the scene and dominate, but these five defensemen are doing just that.
Jackson LaCombe, Anaheim Ducks
LaCombe was the 39th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and would spend four years at the University of Minnesota. The decision to stay for all four years proved to be a wise one, as it allowed him to mature and refine his game before joining the Ducks organization, who were in a massive rebuild.
His rookie season saw him average 19:23 of ice time, scoring two goals and 17 points. His sophomore campaign has seen him reach new heights, and it likely could get even better. The 24-year-old has scored 13 goals and 41 points, ranking in the top 10 in goals among NHL defensemen.
The Ducks are among the youngest teams in the NHL, and it’s partially why LaCombe has recorded just 28 assists. As the young Duck forwards get older and gain more experience, they’ll be able to turn LaCombe’s playmaking into goals. The Ducks are building a star-studded defensive core, headline by LaCombe, Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger.
Jake Sanderson, Ottawa Senators
Sanderson’s route to the NHL was quicker than LaCombe’s, spending just two seasons at the University of North Dakota. The fifth overall pick would make his NHL debut in the 2022-23 season, scoring four goals and 32 points in 77 games. Although the offensive numbers were quite impressive for a 20-year-old rookie defenseman, Sanderson had a plethora of issues in his own end.
His sophomore season saw improvements both offensively and defensively, earning an eight-year, $64.4-million contract extension per Puckpedia. While many argued that the contract was handed out too soon, Sanderson has put those critics to rest, scoring seven goals and 48 points in 70 games, averaging 24:23 of ice time and earning a nod to Team USA’s 4 Nations Face-Off roster, where he scored a goal in the final.
Thomas Chabot had been the Senators' No. 1 defenseman for quite some time but the play of Sanderson has changed things. The turning of the leaf began in the 2023-24 season and it’s come into full effect this season. The next step for Sanderson’s development is to be more aggressive and seek out his shot, but with the tools Sanderson has at his disposal, there’s no reason why he can’t be a double-digit scorer each year.
Alex Vlasic, Chicago Blackhawks
Vlasic followed a similar route to LaCombe, playing three years at Boston University. He never had his offensive breakout during his NCAA days, and it’s likely why he was never selected to play for Team USA’s world junior team. Despite that, the 43rd overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft was a defensive stalwart, using his 6-foot-6 frame to his advantage.
The 23-year-old spent the 2022-23 season playing with the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL, where he tapped into his offensive game for the first time. He replicated that production in his first full season, earning himself a six-year, $27.6-million contract extension, and now, in the 2024-25 campaign, he's flourishing.
His four goals and 28 points, coupled with his defensive game, have allowed him to average 23:27 minutes of ice time on a Blackhawks blue line that will soon feature Artyom Levshunov, Kevin Korchinski, Ethan Del Mastro and Sam Rinzel. Korchinski and Levshunov will likely be the offensive contributors on the backend, but if Vlasic can add more offense to his game without sacrificing his defensive game, the Blackhawks will be a difficult team to play against.
Simon Edvinsson, Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings have been incredibly patient with Edvinsson, first allowing him to develop in the SHL before keeping him in the AHL for an additional two seasons. Heading into his first full campaign, Edvinsson had 25 games of NHL experience and has now revolutionized the Red Wings’ blueline.
Moritz Seider’s following seasons after winning the Calder Trophy were underwhelming. Playing alongside Ben Chiarot, the pair struggled greatly in the consistency department. Although the pair have still spent most of the season together, Seider’s best results are when he plays with Edvinsson. Seider’s expected goals percentage with Chiarot is 41.96 percent, and with Edvinsson, it’s 48.57 percent.
Edvinsson is a tremendous skater and offensive player for a 22-year-old listed at 6-foot-6, and as his ice time grows, the offensive numbers are sure to follow.
Dante Fabbro, Columbus Blue Jackets
Fabbro is the oldest player out of the five – already 26 years old – but since he was claimed off of waivers by the Blue Jackets, he’s revived his career. During his tenure with the Nashville Predators, Fabbro never averaged over 20 minutes of ice time, and in 52 games with the Blue Jackets, Fabbro is averaging nearly 22.
He’s set a career-high in goals, recording six goals and 20 points, proving to be the perfect partner for Zach Werenski, a Norris Trophy candidate this season.
Gustav Forsling was a surprise breakout candidate for the Florida Panthers, and Fabbro looks to be following the same trajectory as an astute defender with good feet and puck-moving ability.
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NHL Rumor Roundup: What Should The Flyers Do After Firing Tortorella?
The Philadelphia Flyers fired John Tortorella on Thursday, replacing him with Brad Shaw on an interim basis.
Tortorella, 66, had a year remaining on his contract. Following a 7-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday, he expressed frustration over the Flyers' recent decline in the standings, sounding like he wasn't keen to continue coaching a rebuilding team.
Under Tortorella, the Flyers exceeded expectations since last season. They narrowly missed the post-season last year despite management's hesitant rebuilding approach and the lack of experienced goalie depth following Carter Hart's mid-season departure.
They were still in the chase this season. However, trading away Scott Laughton, Joel Farabee, Morgan Frost and Erik Johnson gutted their roster depth, which was further weakened by a recent injury to blueliner Rasmus Ristolainen. They wound up tumbling down the standings and out of contention.
Finding a suitable replacement will be management's off-season priority.
The Hockey News’ Adam Proteau and Jonathan Bailey suggested David Carle of the University of Colorado as a candidate. Before Tortorella’s firing, Philly Hockey Now's William James suggested the same. Ben Kuzma of The Vancouver Province wondered if Canucks coach Rick Tocchet might land behind the Flyers' bench.
TSN's Pierre LeBrun mentioned Carle and Tocchet, pointing out that the latter is the only current NHL coach on an expiring contract, though it comes with a club option for next season. He wondered if Joel Quenneville might be part of the Flyers' search.
LeBrun also cited interim coaches Joe Sacco in Boston and Anders Sorensen in Chicago. He mused about Peter Laviolette's future if the New York Rangers miss the playoffs. The Hockey News’ Sam Carchidi and Proteau also wondered about AHL Lehigh Valley coach Ian Laperriere as an option.
Before his firing, Tortorella felt the Flyers had to improve their goaltending after this season. He indicated Hart's departure last season left the position in turmoil, relying on inexperienced goaltenders Sam Ersson, Ivan Fedotov and Aleksei Kolosov. As a result, the Flyers have one of the league's worst goals against per game (3.45).
Kevin Kurz of The Athletic believes Fedotov's future with the Flyers is in doubt. He has a year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $3.275 million, a 5-13-3 record, a 3.21 goals-against average and a .877 save percentage.
The Flyers will find the market is thin this summer for free-agent goaltenders with starter experience. The notables include the oft-injured Fredrik Andersen of the Carolina Hurricanes, Jake Allen of the New Jersey Devils, and Vitek Vanecek of the Florida Panthers.
John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks is the only noteworthy goalie in the trade market. He carries an average annual value of $6.4 million through 2026-27 and a 10-team no-trade clause. The 31-year-old Gibson might not be keen to swap a rebuilding team in Anaheim for one in Philadelphia.
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NHL Rumor Roundup: Blackhawks Buyout Speculation, Sharks Goalie Targets
The Chicago Blackhawks face another summer trying to add experienced depth to accelerate their rebuilding process.
Hawks GM Kyle Davidson has a projected cap space of $31.9 million for next season with 19 roster players under contract. The Athletic's Mark Lazerus wondered if Davidson might attempt to free up more space by buying out left winger Tyler Bertuzzi and defenseman TJ Brodie.
Bertuzzi, 30, has three years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $5.5 million. The 34-year-old Brodie has a year remaining at $3.75 million.
The Blackhawks have the cap room to absorb the buyout hit of both players, but they could keep Bertuzzi. He's got 20 goals and 41 points with the Blackhawks this season, which is comparable to what he scored with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2023-24.
Brodie, on the other hand, is the more likely buyout candidate. He struggled this season, becoming a healthy scratch since March 3.
Lazerus also believes there's a good chance the Blackhawks will re-sign Ryan Donato. The versatile 28-year-old is enjoying a career-best performance with 25 goals and 55 points in 70 games. He can also play at left wing or center.
Scott Powers reported Donato has had a three-year contract offer on the table from the Blackhawks since the trade deadline worth $4 million per season. He's currently averaging $2 million per season on a two-year deal. Talks don't appear to be ongoing, but Powers suggests that could change between now and the start of free agency on July 1.
Meanwhile, we can add the San Jose Sharks to the list of teams likely to be in the market for a goaltender this summer.
Curtis Pashelka of The Mercury News observed the rebuilding Sharks need an upgrade between the pipes and to improve their defensive play. Their goals against per game is a league-worst 3.64, while their save percentage (.890) is the third-worst.
Pashelka noted that Yaroslav Askarov is the only Sharks goalie under contract for next season. Alexandar Georgiev is slated to become a UFA, while rookie Georgi Romanov is an RFA with arbitration rights.
Askarov could take over the starter's job next season, but the young netminder would benefit from having an experienced backup to help him shoulder the load. Jake Allen of the New Jersey Devils, Dan Vladar of the Calgary Flames and David Rittich of the Los Angeles Kings could be available when free agency begins on July 1.
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Top 25 NHL Prospects In Future Watch 2025
Some players make the NHL as teenagers, but many prospects take three, four or even five years to break through.
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.
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. - Brian Costello, editor
Catch up on the players ranked 26th to 50th, 51st to 75th and 76th to 100th. And check out write-ups on each player by being subscribed to The Hockey News.
Here are the top 25.
1. Ivan Demidov, RW, Montreal CanadiensSt. Petersburg (KHL)
Demidov is the prospect the Canadiens are most excited about – and with good reason because of his sublime offensive talent. After Demidov was getting limited ice time early this season in the KHL, Hughes went to Russia in December to meet with him and coach Roman Rotenberg. Demidov’s ice time increased and so did his output. Rotenberg said Demidov is stronger this year and winning board battles. “He has genes to be like (Kirill) Kaprizov,” Rotenberg said. “He has genes to be strong.” - Stu Cowan
2. Ryan Leonard, RW, Washington CapitalsBoston College (HE)
Embracing the role of the villain at the WJC, Leonard ultimately got the last laugh. The tournament MVP had five goals and 10 points in seven games, captaining Team USA to a second straight gold medal. A power forward with tremendous speed, Leonard is a scorer who plays with an edge. About the only thing left on his amateur to-do list is win an NCAA championship. “His shot is wicked,” said Caps assistant GM Ross Mahoney, “yet he’s unselfish and moves the puck really well.” - Ben Raby
3. Beckett Sennecke, RW, Anaheim DucksOshawa (OHL)
Canada leaving Sennecke off their WJC roster left many scratching their heads. That’s because the rangy winger’s growing game already had him as one of the OHL’s best scorers and the No. 3 pick last June. The Ducks love his tenacity. He’s an exceptional playmaker and puckhandler for his age and size, and Anaheim could use his help in both areas. As for that WJC snub? Sennecke answered with nine goals and 22 points in eight December games for the Generals. - Greg Beacham
4. Zeev Buium, D, Minnesota WildDenver (NCHC)
5. Artyom Levshunov, D, Chicago BlackhawksRockford (AHL)
6. Zayne Parekh, D, Calgary FlamesSaginaw (OHL)
7. Sam Dickinson, D, San Jose SharksLondon (OHL)
8. Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, St. Louis BluesMinnesota (Big Ten)
9. Axel Sandin-Pellikka, D, Detroit Red WingsSkelleftea (Swe.)
10. Tij Iginla, C, Utah Hockey ClubKelowna (WHL)
11. Carter Yakemchuk, D, Ottawa SenatorsCalgary (WHL)
Yakemchuk shrugged off the disappointment of being returned to junior and being snubbed from Canada’s WJC squad by breaking the WHL Hitmen’s all-time blueline goal-scoring record. The Sens, who took Yakemchuk ahead of highly touted D-men Zayne Parekh, Anton Silayev and Sam Dickinson, clearly value his blend of size and skill. And while his decision-making and skating must improve, Yakemchuk could well be the Sens’ future PP quarterback. He won’t be held back for long. - Dillon Collins
12. Dalibor Dvorsky, C, St. Louis BluesSpringfield (AHL)
13. Calum Ritchie, C, New York IslandersOshawa (OHL)
14. Simon Nemec, D, New Jersey DevilsUtica (AHL)
15. Konsta Helenius, C, Buffalo SabresRochester (AHL)
16. Jett Luchanko, C, Philadelphia FlyersGuelph (OHL)
17. David Reinbacher, D, Montreal CanadiensLaval (AHL)
18. Alexander Nikishin, D, Carolina HurricanesSt. Petersburg (KHL)
19. Gabriel Perreault, RW, New York RangersBoston College (HE)
A skilled playmaker whose skating has improved, Perreault was a key factor (three goals, 10 points in seven games) in Team USA’s WJC gold. Born in Canada and raised in Illinois, Perreault has been compared by analysts to Montreal’s Cole Caufield in style, vision and hockey IQ. The Rangers have high hopes, but Perreault will have to add muscle – similar to his father, former NHLer Yanic, who scored 20-plus goals seven times – and raise his defensive game, to blossom. - Steve Zipay
20. Dmitry Simashev, D, Utah Hockey ClubYaroslavl (KHL)
21. Lian Bischel, D, Dallas StarsTexas (AHL)
22. Jonathan Lekkerimaki, RW, Vancouver CanucksAbbotsford (AHL)
23. Brayden Yager, C, Winnipeg JetsLethbridge (WHL)
24. Anton Silayev, D, New Jersey DevilsNizhny Novgorod (KHL)
25. David Jiricek, D, Minnesota WildIowa (AHL)
Jiricek has arrived as advertised. Since a trade from the Blue Jackets, who received four draft picks – including a first-rounder – and a prospect from the Wild, Jiricek previewed the unique skills that made him the No. 6 pick in 2022 during a stint with the Wild while their blueline was decimated by injuries. Jiricek has impressive offensive instincts and a lengthy reach. His defensive game needs work, but he’s willing to battle in his own zone, including in front of the net and in corners. - Sarah McLellan
This appeared in our 2025 Future Watch magazine 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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14 Must-Watch Prospects At NCAA Men's Hockey Tournament: Leonard, Hutson, Hagens And More
We are down to the final 16 NCAA teams vying to reach the Frozen Four and win the men’s national hockey championship.
Several very impressive players will look to lead their team through the post-season, continuing with regionals on March 27 and 28. Some want to improve their draft stock, and many others who were drafted already want to finish their college careers strong.
Let’s look at more than a dozen notable players who will be well worth keeping an eye on over the next couple of weeks.
Cole Hutson, D, Boston University
Drafted 43rd overall in 2024, Washington Capitals
After leading all defensemen in points per game and finishing third overall in scoring for blueliners, Hutson will be looking to keep the dream season alive by going on a national championship run.
The Capitals prospect is a highly dynamic and cerebral offensive presence on the back end, using his combination of skill and vision to create offense out of nothing. He has the kind of difference-making ability that should make Boston University fun to watch whenever he’s on the ice.
Cole Eiserman, LW, Boston University
Drafted 20th overall in 2024, New York Islanders
With 21 goals in his freshman season, Eiserman has quickly become one of the more dangerous scorers in college hockey.
Over the years, Eiserman has always elevated his game and found a way to score in the biggest moments, so the high-pressure NCAA tournament should be the perfect situation for him.
Eiserman has a lethal shot and a knack for finding open space. He has the kind of scoring ability that can win a game on his own.
Aydar Suniev, LW, UMass
Drafted 80th overall in 2023, Calgary Flames
In his second college season, Aydar Suniev became one of the more interesting offensive threats for UMass.
His dual-threat ability shone through this year. There are still some questions regarding his mobility, but he finds his way around the ice, gets to his spot and makes the best play for his team. If he’s in a position to finish, he has the release to beat college netminders. If he spots an open teammate, Suniev is a solid passer who hits his teammates on the tape with his passes. Suniev always seems to find a way to contribute.
Trey Augustine, G, Michigan State
Drafted 41st overall in 2023, Detroit Red Wings
One of the best goalies outside of the NHL, Augustine can carry the Spartans to the national title on his own if he gets on a hot streak.
The Detroit Red Wings prospect is among the best players in college hockey, and he was a massive reason MSU captured the Big-10 title for a second straight year. He isn’t the biggest netminder, but he’s so precise with his movement in the crease, and he reads the play at an advanced level.
Isaac Howard, LW, Michigan State
Drafted 31st overall in 2022, Tampa Bay Lightning
While Augustine is the reason the Spartans are elite, he can’t score. That’s where Howard comes in.
Howard is tied for fourth in scoring among college players, and he has been a force for MSU. He uses his skating to push defenders back and then shows great tactical intelligence to pick his opponents apart. Howard's increased work ethic this year has elevated his offensive game as a whole.
Shane Vansaghi, RW, Michigan State
Ranked 24th in Tony Ferrari's 2025 NHL draft rankings, 28th in Ryan Kennedy's rankings
One of two draft eligibles on this list, Vansaghi is a power forward who can bring some finishing ability to the game. He’s been up and down the lineup for MSU.
Vansaghi has improved as the year has gone on, even if the stats don’t necessarily show it. His improved play at the defensive end and his meat-and-potatoes offensive game mean he is poised to be a key contributor for the Spartans if they can make a long run.
Aiden Fink, RW, Penn State
Drafted 218th overall in 2023, Nashville Predators
Fink’s continued development over the last couple of years in the NCAA is impressive.
Coming out of the BCHL, there was some worry his game wouldn’t translate against bigger, faster and stronger competition, but the Penn State star has become one of the best scorers in college hockey. He shows some silky smooth playmaking, absolutely cooking defenders when given some time and space. Penn State will heavily rely on the Hobey Baker finalist.
Zeev Buium, D, University of Denver
Drafted 12th overall in 2024, Minnesota Wild
Arguably the best defender in college hockey, Buium has remained a dominant force for Denver after a freshman season for the record books last year.
Although he didn’t hit 50 points as he did last season, Buium has continued to evolve into one of the most well-rounded defenders outside of the NHL. His intelligence with and without the puck, offensively and defensively, has him as one of the best players in college at any position.
Jack Devine, RW, University of Denver
Drafted 221st overall in 2022, Florida Panthers
If the University of Denver will repeat as national champions, Devine must continue scoring the lights out.
He leads the nation in scoring entering the tournament and has shown far more playmaking and facilitation ability than in past years.
Devine has elevated those around him this year in a way we haven’t quite seen from him before. He still has the goal-scoring ability that made him dangerous last year as well. In what will be his final run at a national championship, Devine could nab his third title in four years.
Ryan Leonard, James Hagens And Gabe Perreault, Boston College
Ryan Leonard drafted eighth overall in 2023, Washington CapitalsGabe Perreault drafted 23rd overall in 2023, New York RangersJames Hagens ranked third in Ferrari's draft rankings and Kennedy's rankings
There was no way we could talk about any member of the Boston College top line without talking about the others.
Leonard may be the one nominated for the Hobey Baker, but the trio has been such an exciting blend of talents this year.
Leonard is the engine that makes it run, blending his skill and physicality unlike any player in college. Perreault is the perfect play-connecter and facilitator. He understands how to give the line whatever it needs on a given play. Hagens is the ultimate playmaker who came in as a freshman this year, immediately filling the massive shoes left behind by the former center of the line, San Jose Sharks rookie Will Smith.
The BC top line has dominated everywhere, from Hockey East to the World Junior Championship for Team USA. Watching them in what is sure to be their swan song should be quite fun.
Jacob Fowler, G, Boston College
Drafted 69th overall in 2023, Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens have to be laughing at the fact they got Fowler in the third round of the draft. Fowler has been dominant at the NCAA level for BC, sporting a .940 save percentage as a 20-year-old and providing a backbone for one of the most dangerous teams in the nation.
It’s safe to say that while the top line gets all of the love, Fowler is the team’s MVP on most nights. BC should be in for a long run if he can play at or near his best.
Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, University of Minnesota
Drafted 23rd overall in 2022, St. Louis Blues
The captain of the Minnesota Golden Gophers has continued to grow into a complete offensive player. While Snuggerud’s finishing ability remains quite strong, his ability to elevate those around him has become a focal point of his game. Snuggerud will likely go pro and join the Blues next season, so this could be his last shot at a national title.
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After Blowouts, Benching And Firing, Philadelphia Flyers Move Forward
The Philadelphia Flyers move forward with an interim coach after two blowout losses, reports of what happened off the ice and benching a player for a full game.
To cap off a six-game winless streak after losing 7-4 to the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday and 7-2 to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday, now-former Flyers coach John Tortorella and defenseman Cam York got into a confrontation, according to The Athletic's Kevin Kurz.
York only took eight shifts for 3:50 of ice time against the Maple Leafs. He was previously a healthy scratch on March 8.
Kurz shared that a team source said they “probably both crossed the line,” which contributed to Tortorella’s dismissal.
Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli added that the spat between the two wasn’t physical but was a heated verbal exchange.
Tortorella also told reporters on Tuesday he didn't do a good enough job in the past couple of games in preparing the rebuilding team.
“I’m not really interested in learning how to coach in this type of season with where we’re at right now, but I have to do a better job. So this falls on me,” Tortorella told reporters.
Philadelphia GM Daniel Briere said there isn’t just one reason behind his decision to relieve Tortorella of his duties. He said there had been a series of instances that led to this conclusion, especially in the last three weeks.
Brad Shaw began his interim coaching duties, as the Flyers beat the Montreal Canadiens 6-4 to end the winless streak with York watching from the bench.
York did not take a single shift in this game, despite dressing for the team and sitting on the bench. Shaw confirmed after the game that it was for disciplinary purposes. York will be back in the lineup for Saturday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres.
"I take full responsibility for my actions. It's been addressed in the locker room," York told the media, as reported by The Hockey News' Siobhan Nolan. "We've got eight games left here, and that's my focus right now."
The team could not scratch York or call up a player from the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms because of a post-trade deadline NHL rule. After the trade deadline, teams are only allowed four call-ups, and the Flyers used them all to this point. Therefore, the team played with five defensemen.
From here, the Flyers have eight games left in this season to play spoilers in games against the Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators and Columbus Blue Jackets, five teams looking to clinch a wild-card playoff spot. Their .453 points percentage is currently the lowest since 2021-22, but they need four wins to tie the 75 points they had in 2022-23.
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Columbus Blue Jackets’ Cayden Lindstrom Expected To Head To Michigan State University Next Season
With the NCAA opening the doors to CHL players in recent months, we have seen several players begin to commit to playing in the U.S. college ranks in the coming years. It’s opened up a new pathway for players to continue their development and obtain a good education while keeping a path to pro hockey open in a way that USports, Canadian university athletics, hasn’t in the past.
To this point, we’ve seen plenty of good CHLers commit to colleges across the NCAA, such as Connor Levis and Marcus Nguyen out west or Pano Fimis and Kocha Delic in the OHL. We haven’t seen a true superstar or high-end NHL prospect decide to leave the CHL quite yet but that could be changing very soon as a report from Aaron Portzline of The Athletic stats that the 2024 fourth overall pick, Cayden Lindstrom, is set to attend Michigan State Univeristy in the fall to continue his development.
Lindstrom heading to the NCAA could be the first of many dominoes to fall as premier CHL players move on to the NCAA in their final year or two of junior eligibility. The infusion of talent at the college level would be incredible.
There have been plenty of rumors about high-end talent looking at the NCAA as an option. Top prospects for the 2025 NHL draft Michael Misa and Porter Martone have been loosely tied to NCAA programs. Gavin McKenna, the presumptive first overall pick in the 2026 NHL draft and one of the CHL’s best players, has had his name in rumors about going to the U.S. to play in college as early as next season for his draft year.
All of those are rumors, and nothing has been confirmed, but the shift in the junior hockey landscape is going to be interesting if any of those players decide to follow in the footsteps of Cayden Lindstrom and head south of the border.
Lindstrom’s decision is an interesting one. The Columbus Blue Jackets drafted him fourth overall last June, but he hasn’t played a competitive game of hockey since April 5, 2024, because of back surgery and injuries. By the time he suits up for Michigan State in the fall, the 6-foot-4, 215-pound forward will have gone 18 months between game action.
It will surely be an adjustment, but the talent that Lindstrom has displayed in his time with Medicine Hat of the WHL would fit in nicely with the strong roster that Michigan State is sure to have in the fall. He plays a powerful game with a great shot and a mean streak. Although it will take some time to get back to game speed, Lindstrom should be able to handle the physicality that NCAA hockey brings. His speed and shot will be an asset offensively and could allow him to get rolling early in his college career.
Lindstrom hasn’t signed an entry-level deal, which has kept his NCAA eligibility open. With no formal announcement from the player or the school, his arrival on campus is still a bit speculative. He could be waiting for MSU to officially announce their freshman class, usually reserved for the summer.
Whether Lindstrom is the first of many or just a unique situation, time will tell. This could open the floodgates for more high-end CHLers to make the move to NCAA hockey.
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William Nylander Proves He's The Toronto Maple Leafs' MVP This Season
In the Toronto Maple Leafs’ universe, there’s a particular pecking order to the “Core Four.”
At the top is superstar captain Auston Matthews. Below him are star right wingers Mitch Marner and William Nylander, ahead of center John Tavares.
But of the group, Nylander might just be the Maple Leafs’ most valuable player this season as they look to lock up first place in the Atlantic Division and go far in the playoffs.
He had another banner night Tuesday against Philadelphia, scoring twice to cement his third straight 40-goal season and adding a pair of assists to give him 77 points in 71 games this season.
Since the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off break ended, Nylander has seven goals and 22 points in 16 games. Although Marner has a team-leading 86 points in 70 games, Nylander leads the squad with 40 goals and eight game-winners.
Nylander just needs one more goal to set a career high, and he’s on pace for 46. That’s been essential for the team, considering Matthews’ drop in goal-scoring. Due to injury issues, Matthews only has 27 goals this season, one year after challenging for 70. Nylander has eight more goals than second-place Tavares and 13 more than third-place Matthews, and he even ranks second in the NHL.
Tavares also has Nylander to thank in part for his bounce-back campaign, with 65 points in 64 games. They’ve played together for most of the season, and they have 48 even-strength points each.
It isn’t only his totals on offense that make Nylander the Leafs’ MVP this season, either. The eye test also will tell you Nylander’s speed and smarts have elevated his game to new levels.
When he’s at his best, he’s cycling like a madman, using his elite skating skills to create time and space away from defenders and scoring at a career-high 17.2 percent of his shots – 4.5 points higher than the 12.7 percent he had last season.
He also has 118 speed bursts of at least 20 miles per hour, compared to Marner’s 78, and he averages slightly more skating distance per 60 minutes than Marner as well, according to NHL Edge.
“The goals are one thing, but for me, he checked really well,” Berube told reporters after Tuesday’s win. “He was on top of things. He backchecked, broke plays up and then transitioned from defense to offense. He is so quick with his agility and his speed that he creates going the other way right away.”
Just about any way you slice it, Nylander has delivered everything asked of him. In his first season of an eight-year contract worth $11.5 million annually, Nylander ensured he’s worth every penny in a fishbowl market.
Nylander’s ability to shut out the noise in the hyper-sensitive Toronto market makes him well-suited for the Maple Leafs. You’ll never see him flustered by media or his opponents. Being a part of a hockey family with his former NHL star father Michael Nylander has prepared him well for the mental and physical rigors of the pro game.
The 28-year-old is also focused more on the team than his individual achievements, as he mentioned on Tuesday.
He’s all about being focused and ready to rock when the Stanley Cup playoffs arrive. He’s slightly behind Marner and Matthews in total playoff points since 2015-16, but Nylander still has 20 goals and 43 points in 54 career playoff games. At even-strength, his 34 points are tied for the team lead with Matthews.
Nylander is in his prime right now, but there’s more room for him to grow his game. And from this writer’s perspective, Nylander is now a top-10 player in the NHL.
The Leafs lead the Atlantic Division because of their first-rate depth, but if you remove Nylander from Toronto’s lineup, the Buds could be battling for a wild-card spot.
Nylander is an essential component of the Leafs’ blueprint for success, and he’s now got the opportunity to achieve something special as part of a deep and skilled team. The stage is being set for him to do more than he’s done before, and nothing we’ve seen from him suggests he won’t be up to the challenge.
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Cup Front-Runners Separate Themselves As NHL Playoffs Get Eerily Close
As the NHL regular season nears an end, we’ve got a good idea of the Stanley Cup front-runners once the playoffs arrive.
On Friday, we looked at moneypuck.com odds to break down which teams were battling for a wild card post-season spot. This time around, we’re analyzing the teams that look the most likely to win it all.
In the Eastern Conference, it starts with five teams who have a 100 percent shot at making the playoffs – the Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs. After that, the Metropolitan Division seems to be the easier path to the Cup final, as the Hurricanes have the best Cup odds – 13.4 percent – in the NHL. The Capitals have the next-best Cup odds at 10.2 percent.
We know going in that the Atlantic Division will be a tougher road, and that’s reflected in the Cup odds for the Lightning (9.6 percent) and the defending-champion Panthers (8.6 percent). But the Maple Leafs – the current second best team in the Atlantic – are relatively disrespected, with only a 3.9 percent chance to win it all.
There’s a similar preference going on in the Western Conference, where MoneyPuck believes the easier road to the Cup goes through the Pacific Division. The current Pacific leader – the Vegas Golden Knights – have the West’s best odds to win the Cup at 11.4 percent.
However, the powerhouse teams in the ultra-competitive Central Division have the next-best odds, with the Dallas Stars at 10.8 percent, the Central-leading Winnipeg Jets at 10.5 percent, and the Colorado Avalanche at 5.7 percent.
MoneyPuck doesn’t give much stock to other Pacific teams, as the Edmonton Oilers come in at only a two percent chance to win it all. And the Los Angeles Kings are given a 6.2 percent chance to win the Cup.
But before we get to the playoffs, we need to see which teams will jockey for top spots in their respective divisions. To that end, the Tankathon site ranks the difficulty of teams’ remaining schedules, and the Capitals have the second-easiest schedule in the league, followed by the Stars with the third-easiest and the Oilers with the eighth-easiest.
Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs have the 10th-hardest schedule, followed by the Jets with the 12th hardest, the Hurricanes with the 13th hardest, the Golden Knights with the 16th hardest and the Kings with the 17th hardest.
So, in sum, the teams in the Atlantic and Central divisions will have the most difficult road to the Cup, and the Metro and Pacific teams will have the easiest road to winning it all.
But don’t kid yourself – there’s a good reason why the best team still has only less than a 14 percent chance to win the Cup. It’s going to be a brutal path forward for any and every playoff team, and even the front-runners will need good health, good fortune and timely great play if they’re going to outlast the rest of the field and emerge as this year’s champs.
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Calgary Flames Are Lucky To Have Nazem Kadri For The Long Run
The Calgary Flames must be fortunate they have Nazem Kadri around for the long term.
At a time when the Flames are in a transition period after trading veterans Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin, Jacob Markstrom, Chris Tanev and others last season, Kadri has embraced life as a Flame and really turned up his game this season.
While Kadri isn’t near the top of the league in any offensive category, he’s gone about his business like a true pro and very quietly put up numbers that rival his peak offensive years.
With seven goals in his last five games, Kadri now has 30 goals and 56 points in 71 games with the Flames – one more goal than he posted in 82 games last season. Kadri is now just two goals away from equalling his career-best 32, which he posted in back-to-back seasons as a Toronto Maple Leaf in 2016-17 and 2017-18.
Calgary GM Craig Conroy wisely held on to the 34-year-old, who has a no-move clause anyway, and the Flames’ retool has been effective in no small part because Kadri has delivered as hoped. Sure, he may not be the No. 1 center for the next decade that the Flames could use, but asking him to waive his clause and potentially moving him would have left an even bigger hole.
Kadri’s contributions include his terrific work alongside left winger Jonathan Huberdeau, who leads the team with 57 points. Kadri has also worked well with youngster Matt Coronato, who has emerged as a scoring threat with 20 goals in 66 games. Kadri’s grit and experience make him a foundational piece who is well worth the Flames’ $7-million annual investment, which runs for another four years after this one.
As a Stanley Cup winner with the Colorado Avalanche, Kadri doesn’t have anything to prove to anyone. If it were not for emerging star goalie Dustin Wolf, Kadri might be Calgary’s most valuable player this season.
His veteran know-how and professionalism will rub off on the Flames’ youngsters. Kadri’s four game-winning goals are second on the team behind Huberdeau’s six, and his snarl and robust physical game would be valuable no matter what team he was playing for. So you’d better believe the Flames are happy he’s happy to be there for a long time to come.
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Five Teams Brad Marchand Could Play For Next Season
NHL star left winger Brad Marchand made his debut with the Florida Panthers Friday night, but his contract status – that makes him a UFA at the end of this season – has already started speculation as to where he could wind up playing next year and beyond.
Here are five teams we could see Marchand playing for after this season:
1. Boston Bruins
Let’s get this out of the way first: Marchand OK’d a move out of Boston, but there was no sense he or the Bruins had burned bridges with each other. So, if he doesn’t find an option that’s to his liking, Marchand could elect to return to Beantown.
He’ll be 37 years old by the time he signs a new contract, so his next deal could be his last NHL deal. But if Boston can get the money right – somewhere in the area of his current annual salary of $6.125 million – it wouldn’t be out of the question to see him return to the Bruins.
Marchand served Boston well as their leader on the ice and off of it, and although he probably would’ve wanted to spend his entire career with the same team, he could, in theory, win a Stanley Cup with the Panthers, then find a way to come back to his first NHL home.
Stranger things have happened than a return to Boston for Marchand, and he might decide that a few months away from the Bruins was too long and return to the Bs at the first chance he gets.
2. Colorado Avalanche
The Avs are one of the odds-on favorites to win the Cup this season, but if the Panthers repeat as Cup champions, Marchand could choose to play with fellow East-Coast Canadian Nathan MacKinnon on a Colorado team that will have the cap space to sign him for at least a couple of seasons.
Like all the teams on this list, the Avalanche could use Marchand’s grit and playoff experience, and playing in the relative calm of Denver may be exactly what Marchand wants at this stage of his career.
Marchand would help out the Avs’ second line, and Colorado has enough cap space to get a deal done that will satisfy Marchand’s pride. Closing out his career with the Avs would allow Marchand to satisfy his competitive drive, and the Avalanche would be thrilled to land someone with the pedigree Marchand can boast of.
3. Pittsburgh Penguins
This one is admittedly more of a long shot, as the Penguins are still going to be a fringe playoff team next season. But the opportunity to play alongside another East-Coast Canadian legend in Sidney Crosby would no doubt appeal to Marchand, and the Pens would welcome Marchand as they try to win another Cup in the Crosby Era.
Marchand has been a thorn in the side of just about every opponent, so the chance to make him a Penguin would be a no-brainer for Pittsburgh GM Kyle Dubas. But the Pens would almost assuredly have to make more notable moves to assure Marchand that he’s not going to be the only new face with the Penguins.
Marchand might want to change out his Black-and-Gold Bruins colors for a similar set of colors in Pittsburgh, and the Penguins could offer him the chance of a lifetime when it comes to playing on the same side as clear-cut Hockey Hall-of-Famers in Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang.
4. Toronto Maple Leafs
Okay, before you get snippy, hear us out: let’s assume the Maple Leafs falter early in the playoffs once again this spring. In the wake of that disappointment, there will likely be a massive change in Toronto – and what better way to effect significant culture change than to sign a proven winner and Leafs-haunter in Marchand?
He’d have to acclimate to playing in the huge hockey fishbowl that is Toronto, but it’s not as if Marchand isn’t used to that in Boston.
The Leafs might be a bigger long-shot than Pittsburgh on this list, but if Marchand values playing in another Original Six market where hockey is everything, he could spend his remaining few seasons in Toronto and be an integral part of what could be something special. The Leafs would be motivated buyers for him, and he’d fill an obvious need for grit and spunk.
5. Tampa Bay Lightning
The Panthers were clearly Marchand’s choice to play for this season, but if Florida can’t find a way to re-sign him, perhaps the other Sunshine State team can make him a member of the Lightning.
Like the Panthers, the Bolts will be tight to the salary cap ceiling, but Lightning GM Julien BriseBois always seems to find a way to land big fish, the way he did last summer when he signed star left winger Jake Guentzel. So, Marchand could be one of the final pieces of the puzzle in Tampa next year.
The Lightning can sell Marchand on the no-tax state of Florida and the opportunity to stay on the East Coast. We don’t see Marchand agreeing to take a huge pay cut to play in any market, but in Tampa Bay, his dollars would go further, and he’d have the luxury of great weather all year long. Thus, his current experiment with the Panthers could keep him in Florida but in another market.
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Who Should Be The Flyers' Next Coach? Four Potential First-Timers
The Philadelphia Flyers parted ways with coach John Tortorella Thursday, ending his time in Philly after nearly three years.
The Flyers named associate coach Brad Shaw as their interim coach, but speculation about the long-term replacement for Tortorella already picked up steam after the initial announcement.
Here are four candidates to replace Tortorella as the permanent Flyers coach:
1. Brad Shaw
A longtime Tortorella assistant, Shaw will get the final nine games of the season to make a case for himself as the Flyers’ coach.
Shaw had an 18-18-4 record as an interim coach of the New York Islanders in 2006. Since that time, he’s served as an associate coach of the St. Louis Blues, Columbus Blue Jackets and Vancouver Canucks before joining Tortorella’s staff in Philadelphia in July 2022.
The Flyers may ultimately go in another direction when they revisit the job this summer. But Shaw has the advantage of familiarity with the team and the youth movement started by GM Daniel Briere. He’s more of a defensive specialist, but he’s been known to have more give-and-take and collaboration with Flyers players.
2. Ian Laperriere
As the current coach of AHL Lehigh Valley, where he’s had the job since June of 2021, Laperriere is working with some of the youngsters who will be part of the Flyers’ long-term future. He was also an assistant coach for the Flyers from 2013-14 to 2020-21.
During his time as an NHL player, Laperriere was known as a character guy who embodied the physically robust style that fits well with the Broad Street Bully culture Briere is trying to build. As such, he’d instantly have the respect of everyone in the Flyers’ dressing room.
The Flyers are looking to build for the future with their players, but the same can be said for their coaching and management staff. Laperriere might be the favorite at this point, but depending on who comes available on the coaching market this summer, another coach might leapfrog Laperriere in the lineup for the Flyers job.
3. David Carle
While he’s only 35 years old, Carle is one of the most highly regarded coaches who could be in the NHL sooner than later.
Carle has won two NCAA national championships at the University of Denver, and he was Team USA’s coach in the last two World Junior Championships, both wins. He’s able to relate to the players with his messaging and eye for the game.
Carle could have his pick of a number of NHL jobs, but the opportunity to be the bench boss of an up-and-coming Flyers squad could be very appealing.
Working alongside a young GM in Briere would have a nice symbiotic relationship for Carle. He’d need a good deal of job security to leave Denver, but that’s something Briere and the Flyers can offer him.
If he can get the Flyers into a playoff position in his first year running Philadelphia’s bench, he’s going to earn himself a lot of landing strip to get the job done in the years to come.
4. Mitch Love
Love’s served as the Washington Capitals’ assistant coach since June 2023. The Caps’ success reflects well on Washington’s coaching staff, and Love’s solid work with the Capitals’ defensemen is just what the doctor ordered for a Flyers team that has the league’s fifth-most goals against per game.
Love’s ability to add structure and focus is one of the reasons the Caps have thrived this season, and he would likely jump at the opportunity to guide a squad that isn’t all that far off from being a legitimate playoff contender.
Jonathan Bailey also ranked five coaching candidates on The Hockey News’ Flyers site. Check it out here.
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Buckle Up: The NHL Playoff Race Intensifies As More Teams Fall Behind
We’re fast approaching the final couple of weeks of the NHL regular season, and the playoff races are at a boiling point.
If there’s one thing that’s clear now, it's that the battle for a wild-card spot is shrinking by the day.
The Eastern Conference is still more competitive, while the Western Conference playoff race has come down to only a few teams. But in the cases of both conferences, the final playoff seeds won’t be decided until the final days of the season. That means there will be much more drama in the next month and intense contests from here on out.
As it stands, there are a handful of teams that did challenge for a playoff spot earlier this season but are more or less now out of the playoff mix, according to moneypuck.com odds. We’re talking about the Utah Hockey Club (0.8 percent chance of making the playoffs), the Detroit Red Wings (3.9 percent) and Columbus Blue Jackets (16.8 percent). A minor miracle will have to happen for just one of these teams to make it into the post-season, let alone all three teams.
Utah started to make things really interesting earlier in March but is 4-4-2 in their last 10 games, falling to 10 points behind the red-hot St. Louis Blues. The Blue Jackets and Red Wings are a hot streak away from getting back into the race, but considering Columbus is 2-7-1 in their last 10 games and Detroit is 3-7-0, it’s not looking great despite only being two and three points behind the Montreal Canadiens, respectively.
In the Western Conference, the Calgary Flames (18 percent) and Vancouver Canucks (19.2 percent) have a better shot at making the playoffs than Utah but need almost everything to go right in their final games.
Their fate is not entirely in their own hands, because the two teams currently above the Flames and Canucks are both looking likely to make the playoffs.
The surging Blues (73.1 percent) and Minnesota Wild (92 percent) are looking like safe bets to make it into the playoffs. One of them would need to totally fall apart to open up the door for Calgary or Vancouver to get in.
Although the Wild fell out of the top three in the Central Division because of injuries to star left winger Kirill Kaprizov and center Joel Eriksson Ek, they’re still two points ahead of St. Louis, seven ahead of Vancouver and eight ahead of Calgary.
St. Louis won eight games in a row to get to this point – they were out of a playoff spot two weeks ago but now have a five-point cushion with two more games played than Calgary.
There is even less certainty in the race for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
The first wild-card spot is coming into focus. The Ottawa Senators lead the Canadiens by six points and sit eight points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for third place in the Atlantic Division, so they look pretty set to end their seven-season playoff drought and face the top team in the Atlantic. Funny enough, as of March 28, MoneyPuck gives the Senators a slightly higher chance of making the playoffs (98.6 percent) than the Edmonton Oilers (97 percent).
The Canadiens, New York Rangers and New York Islanders are still in the thick of things. Montreal holds the second wild-card spot by one point over the Islanders and Rangers, but the Blueshirts played one more game.
MoneyPuck currently gives the Habs the best shot of earning a playoff spot at 34 percent, followed by the Rangers (26.1 percent) and the Isles (22.8 percent). These teams – and Columbus or Detroit if they turn red-hot for a final push at the post-season – should give NHL fans a thrilling finish to the regular season.
Another valuable site, tankathon.com, ranks the teams with the most difficult remaining schedules. The Red Wings have the toughest schedule, so they’re not getting much help at all.
After that, the Islanders have the third-toughest schedule, the Canucks’ is fourth-toughest, the Blue Jackets’ is ninth-toughest and the Blues’ is 10th-toughest.
At the opposite end of that spectrum, the Senators have the fourth-easiest schedule, only playing three teams currently in a playoff position in their final 11 games.
In any case, there could be some upsets ahead, and the other big battle – for positioning at or near the top of the four NHL divisions – will also come down to the wire.
You can say what you will about the league’s points system, but you can’t argue that it doesn’t do what it’s tasked to do – to keep as many teams in the playoff hunt for as long as possible.
We’ll have to wait a while longer before the post-season picture is complete, but until then, we’ll be treated to high-stakes hockey virtually every night. That will make for high drama from now right through the Cup final.
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