The old adage that one person’s misfortune is another’s opportunity would be applicable two recent additions to the Buffalo Sabres, who have been playing in the minors and are finally getting their chance at significant ice time in the NHL.
Prior to their recent call-up, first-rounders Isak Rosen and Noah Ostlund have been relegated to fourth line duty, but with Zach Benson, Josh Norris, Jiri Kulich, and Jason Zucker out, head coach Lindy Ruff has been forced to play the Rochester Americans duo in roles they are more suited for,
Rosen has led the Sabres AHL affiliate in scoring, but has managed only one assist in 15 NHL games the last two seasons. Ostlund in his first full season in North America had 36 points (19 goals, 17 assists) in 45 games and earned an eight-game stint with the Sabres, but went scoreless.
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The Swedish duo has been partnered with winger Jack Quinn and has had some offensive success. Rosen scored a pair of goals in the 5-2 loss to Utah on Wednesday, while Ostlund has three points (1 goal, 2 assists) in his last five games.
The advantage the rookies have is that they have been linemates and familiarity with each other. That may help paying off, as both Rosen and Ostlund are likely to be in Buffalo for awhile, with Zucker, Norris, and Kulich’s injury/illness situations expected to be long-term.
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SUNRISE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 13: Brad Marchand #63 of the Florida Panthers blocks a plastic rat shot by Evan Rodrigues #17 following their win over the Washington Capitals at Amerant Bank Arena on November 13, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida. The Panthers defeated the Capitals 6-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Brad Marchand reached 1,000 career points with two assists, Sam Reinhart scored twice and Florida Panthers beat the Washington Capitals 6-3 on Thursday.
Eetu Luostarinen, Seth Jones, Cole Schwindt and Evan Rodrigues also scored for the Panthers, who began a run of 11 of 12 games at home.
Marchand assisted on Jones’ goal that put Florida ahead 5-3 late in the third period and Luostarinen's empty-netter with 1:30 remaining.
Marchand has 335 goals and 565 assists in 1,116 regular-season games. Jones and Rodrigues each scored their 100th NHL goals.
Panthers backup goalie Daniil Tarasov stopped 37 shots for his first victory with the club.
Rasmus Sandin, Justin Sourdif and Brandon Duhaime scored for the Capitals. They were 1-3 on a four-game trip.
Goals from Reinhart and Schwindt in the second period put the Panthers ahead 3-1. Schwidnt’s goal 3:05 into the period snapped a 1-all tie.
Reinhart padded the lead with his power play goal with 5:19 left in ther period. Logan Thompson stopped Carter Verhaeghe’s shot but Reinhart tapped in the deflection.
After the Capitals narrowed the deficit on Justin Sourdif’s goal 52 seconds into the third period, the Panthers responded with goals by Reinhart and Jones.
The Panthers were again with a slew of injured players, including Aleksander Barkov, Dmitry Kulikov and Jonah Gadjovich. But coach Paul Maurice indicated that Matthew Tkachuk — who has yet to play this season following offseason surgery — might be inching toward a return in the coming weeks.
Capitals: Host New Jersey on Saturday night.
Panthers: Host Tampa Bay on Saturday.
The Edmonton Oilers have been navigating a challenging season riddled with injuries, but as key players return, the competition for roster spots is intensifying. In a recent development, defenseman Troy Stecher was placed on waivers Friday. Serving primarily as Edmonton’s seventh defenseman, Stecher could find a larger role elsewhere, and the team had explored potential trade options before making the move, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) on XStecher (EDM) on waivers
David Kampf clears and contract can be terminatedStecher, 31, brings a dependable two-way game to the ice. He previously played for the Detroit Red Wings before being traded to the Los Angeles Kings in March 2022 for a seventh-round pick. A return to Detroit could be mutually beneficial. The Red Wings have struggled defensively at times this season, allowing 40 goals over their last 11 games, which ranks them seventh-worst in the NHL over that span. Stecher would be an upgrade over Travis Hamonic on the bottom pairing and could stabilize the rotation alongside Jacob Bernard-Docker.
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There’s a strong likelihood Stecher would be open to rejoining the Red Wings. He originally signed with Detroit as a free agent in 2020, and the team’s solid start to the season could make the reunion even more enticing. The organization is already familiar with his work ethic and reliable play, which could allow him to slot back into the blue line seamlessly.
Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) on XTroy Stecher! #LGRWStecher brings valuable postseason experience as well as part of Edmonton’s recent Stanley Cup Final run, which the team facilitated by acquiring him and a fourth-round pick from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for a seventh-rounder. While he didn’t record a point in eight playoff games, he finished with a +2 rating and delivered steady minutes in high-pressure situations. His playoff experience also extends to the Kings, where he tallied two goals and two assists in four games after arriving from Detroit.
For the Red Wings, claiming Stecher would provide both experience and stability to a defensive unit in need of reinforcement. At a cap hit of just $787k and with ample space available, Detroit could make a low-risk, high-reward move that bolsters the blueline and strengthens their playoff aspirations.
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