As part of their quest to save money and get younger, the Edmonton Oilers parted ways with several forwards this offseason. Key among them were Connor Brown, Corey Perry, and Evander Kane. An interesting question popped up on social media: if the team could have kept just one, who should it have been?

Each player brought something unique to the Oilers’ recent Stanley Cup Final runs. While all three forwards got several votes in the comments section of the post, one theme seemed obvious when looking at the responses that came with an explanation.

The answer depends on what you value most—production, potential, or presence.

Evander Kane: The Difference-Maker

A polarizing player ever since he entered the NHL, Evander Kane seemed to receive the most votes. That's because of how of a difference-maker he is/was when healthy. A unicorn in today's NHL, Kane at 100 percent is a true power forward who plays with bite and scores in bunches. He's the kind of player you hate to play against, but don't mind on your team -- unless you're the Winnipeg Jets, San Jose Sharks, or Buffalo Sabres. 

He had six goals and six assists in last season's playoffs. He had four and four in the season prior. Both were down years. As was 2022-23. But, in 2021-22, when he played his first postseason hockey with the Oilers, his 13 goals in 15 games led the NHL. The San Jose Sharks had cast him off, but the Oilers took a shot on him. It paid off as he quickly reminded everyone of his value, especially when it mattered most.

He may never reach those levels again, but he'll be motivated as a part of the Vancouver Canucks and in the last year of his current contract. Many expect Kane to hit the 25+ goal mark, and for $5.25 million, that kind of production and edge is hard to replace.

Corey Perry: The Savvy Vet

Corey Perry, despite being 40, was a travel-tested warrior. His leadership in both the regular season and playoffs will be missed. He scored clutch goals and filled in nicely for an injured Zach Hyman as part of the Oilers, but his bad luck in the Stanley Cup Final is the stuff of legend. His willingness to get under opponents’ skin was invaluable. The pesky Kings will embrace what he brings. 

Oilers fans and even outsiders agree his “heart and soul” impact won’t be easy to replace. But the concern is repeatability. Can Perry really post another near-20-goal season? He signed for more money than the Oilers were willing to pay. Now with the Kings, he is bit pricey for someone whose best days are clearly behind him.

Related: Oilers Would Be Wise to Bet Early on Vasily Podkolzin

Related: Four Oilers Invited to Team Canada’s 2025 Olympic Orientation Camp

Connor Brown: The Two-Way Energy Guy

Connor Brown might be the most well-rounded of the three players listed. Still relatively young, he took some time to get going when he arrived in Edmonton, but once he did, became a very useful two-way forward. In the 2023-24 playoffs, he took significant steps and was quite impactful after recovering from injury.

His speed, versatility, penalty killing prowess, and overall attitude on the ice and in the locker room will be missed. Some fans in the comments section argued his skill set is replaceable, which may be true. And, but he’s arguably the best bet for long-term contribution. At $3 million for four years, he’s no longer an inexpensive option. If he scores more, he'll be worth what the New Jersey Devils are paying him. If he doesn't, that contract may wind up looking like a mistake.

So Who Is The Best Pick to Return?

Again, what you value most in a player might determine who you select here. If you're going after productivity at a low price point, it might be Perry. That said, he won't offer much beyond this season, assuming he can repeat what he did in 2024-25. If you want physicality and intimidation, it's Evander Kane. Health is a concern. Two-way play, energy, and penalty killing? It's Connor Brown all day long.

Oilers Potential New Lines For Next YearEDMONTON – A new day, a new season.

For the Oilers, who are trying to get over the hump and win a Stanley Cup with this core, Kane offers the biggest potential impact. He's the most expensive of the three players, but he can be a game-breaker when motivated and healthy.

The upside of Kane in a contract year is too tempting to ignore. The feeling is he'll do well in Vancouver if he can stay on the ice. That includes avoiding injury and silly penalties or suspensions that take him out of the action. He'll be a physical presence for them, and likely get close to 20 goals.

Then again, the Oilers are going to have to play against him a few times this season since they traded him within the division. That might tell us something about how concerned they are that he'll be a problem for them.

Who would you have kept, especially if salary wasn't a factor?

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The son of New Jersey Devils legend Martin Brodeur is forging his own path in professional hockey, and he's doing it close to home.

Jeremy Brodeur, a 28-year-old goaltender, is entering his ninth season of pro hockey. Currently, he plays for the Devils’ AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, following in the footsteps of his Hall of Fame father.

Last season, Brodeur split time between the Utica Comets and the ECHL’s Adirondack Thunder. Across both teams during the 2024–25 campaign, he appeared in 29 games, posting a .923 save percentage in the AHL and a .905 in the ECHL.

Over the past nine seasons, Brodeur has competed in multiple leagues, including the OHL, SPHL, ECHL, and even spent time overseas with Hungary’s Erste Liga in Budapest.

Though he bears one of the most iconic names in Devils history, Jeremy is carving out a career of his own. His father, Martin Brodeur, spent 21 of his 22 NHL seasons with New Jersey, winning all three of the franchise’s Stanley Cups and five Eastern Conference titles. He holds NHL records for most career wins and games played by a goaltender. His No. 30 jersey was retired by the Devils in 2016, and he remains with the organization as an advisor on hockey operations.

Naturally, Jeremy grew up as a fan of the team his father helped define.

“I am, by default, a Devils fan,” Jeremy told NHL.com. “Doing the training camps and things like that in Jersey is always cool, looking up and seeing his name up in the rafters. And since he still works in the organization, that’s pretty awesome. It is really fun, and a true honor to be able to play for the Devils organization. I'm excited for this next year.”

Jeremy was on the Devils’ 2024 training camp roster and is expected to be back this fall, still chasing his NHL dream.

“I feel that my game is on the incline,” he said. “I feel that I have been getting better and better every year, and that is positive. It keeps me motivated. I’ll be in the same spot for a third year, so I am excited for that.”

As the 2025 season approaches, Brodeur is focused on growing his game for a chance at the big leagues. In the meantime, he's keeping sharp by competing in the 3ICE league, a fast-paced 3-on-3 summer hockey tournament. His team is awaiting final results to see if they’ve qualified for the playoff round, with games taking place at the Florida Panthers' training facility.

While the Brodeur name looms large, Jeremy is determined to make a name for himself in the crease, one save at a time.

Photo Credit: © Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

EL SEGUNDO, CA – The Los Angeles Kings of old were defined by stalwart veterans and Cup-winning experience. The team had homegrown their championship centerpieces in the form of Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Dustin Brown, and Jonathan Quick, carving out a golden era in Kings hockey. Under their vigil, they delivered championships while forging an identity of defensive grit and clutch goaltending. 

While some of that grit and defensive legacy remains, the championship element remains an enigma. The team has been operating in a challenging environment, marked by limited playoff success, as it balances the integration of new core elements with its legacy components.

What should have been an outright transitional period, the Kings find themselves in an underlying and quiet transition of power. With the most recent signing, three names have emerged as the centerpiece of a new foundational young core: forward Quinton Byfield (22), winger Alex Laferriere (23), and defenseman Brandt Clarke (22). All three represent more than just draft-day wins or developmental checkboxes. They symbolize the organization's shifting identity, moving from the days of old towards one relying on a crop of homegrown, youthful players ready to take the baton.

Quinton Byfield: The Evolution of a Two-Way Force

Selected second overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, Byfield entered the league carrying heavy expectations. Comparisons to elite power forwards came quickly, but his path has been less about flashy dominance and more about steady refinement. After a developmental start to his career, which was also plagued by injury and illness, Byfield has increasingly shown he can impact games beyond the scoresheet.

At 6-foot-5 with exceptional skating ability, Byfield has grown into a viable shutdown centerman. His length and awareness make him a versatile asset in all zones, capable of absorbing top-line matchups and providing critical penalty-kill minutes. Offensively, his playmaking is blossoming, as it was his standout trait in the Ontario Hockey League. While he hasn't fully unlocked his scoring ceiling yet, given that his most regular linemates last season weren't high-end offensive weapons, his hockey IQ and vision create optimism that he will produce at a high clip.

If Kopitar represents the Kings' past at center, Byfield represents its stylistically evolved future: one rooted in responsible two-way play, modern mobility, and an expanding offensive toolkit. Byfield almost matched his complete output from a season prior in the most recent NHL session, but this time, while dedicated to a full year at center. This was enough for Team Canada to extend an invitation to him to attend Canada's Olympic camp for 2026.

Drew Doughty and Quinton Byfield have been invited to Team Canada’s orientation camp in preparation for the 2026 Italy Winter Olympics.

They are among 42 total invited players.#GoKingsGopic.twitter.com/HlnKAYAV9H

— Lak.Daily (@DailyLak) August 1, 2025

Alex Laferriere: The Motor on the Wing

Laferriere may not have been a top draft pick, but he has quickly become a critical piece in the Kings' youth movement. Drafted in the third round in 2020, the Harvard product plays a relentless, high-energy game that has translated well to the NHL level. While still adjusting to the rigors of the pro schedule, Laferriere's motor, forechecking intensity, and scoring upside made him an easy choice to be re-signed recently to a three-year extension.

He may never be a 40-goal scorer, or even a 30-goal scorer, but his consistency, attitude, and offensive instincts have made him a viable top-six option. More importantly, he brings a contagious competitiveness that aligns with the Kings' long-term vision. Laferriere looks to be a key complementary piece that elevates the play of his linemates and can be trusted in tight playoff-style games. However, the young Ivy League product has yet to really make his presence felt in the playoffs, having only one goal in 11 games played. 

As he continues to develop, he will likely remain a reliable defensive forward with some offensive upside, especially if he gets more minutes in April and beyond. Three years might not shout out 'long term core piece', but his age and alignment towards the team's pursuit signals otherwise.

THREE MORE YEARS! 👑

Alex Laferriere has signed an extension with the @LAKings! pic.twitter.com/TqghVuyetn

— NHL (@NHL) August 2, 2025

Brandt Clarke: The X-Factor on the Blue Line

Few prospects have drawn more buzz in Los Angeles than Clarke. A dynamic, offensively inclined defenseman with elite puck-moving capabilities, Clarke represents a stylistic departure from the stay-at-home defenders of the Kings' past and present situation. In a defensive corps that contains defense-first or defense-only players like Mikey Anderson, Joel Edmundson, Brian Dumoulin, Cody Ceci, and, of late, Drew Doughty, Clarke practically represents the team's sole source of offensive output on the backend.

His brief play in the AHL and last season's NHL showcase with Doughty out most of the season showcased his ability to quarterback a power play, transition the puck with authority, and jump into the rush when given a loose leash.

However, Clarke's challenge lies in defensive consistency. His ceiling is undeniable, but the team has exercised caution in his deployment, opting for growth through sheltered minutes and controlled environments. Warning: This same treatment and the emergence of Clarke would eventually lead to the departure of Jordan Spence, who had previously been included in this list of future core homegrown players.

Still, at the end of the day, if Clarke is appropriately developed, he has all the makings of a modern top-pairing offensively leaning defenseman. While not likely ever going to be an 'Evan Bouchard-Quinn Hughes-Cale Makar' output type of defenseman, he should easily replace the offensive void that will emerge when Doughty eventually retires. It's almost a certainty that the defensive gap between Clarke and Doughty will stay extensive for the entirety of Clarke's career.

Nobody is ready for the season that Brandt Clarke is about to have. #GoKingsGopic.twitter.com/3EzbSfNmrS

— Josh Kendall (@turcotte2point0) July 27, 2025

The Goaltending Question: No Successor in Sight

Where the Kings' future core begins to blur is in the crease. For over a decade, Quick was an absolute rock, a fortress behind the Kings' defensive structure. But since his departure, the team has rotated through options like Joonas Korpisalo, Cam Talbot, and now Darcy Kuemper. While Kuemper's resurgence has been critical, as he was the first Kings Vezina finalist since Quick himself, he is 34, and the team lacks a clear and succession plan.

Erik Portillo, 24 years old, remains the most promising internal option, having performed well at the AHL level. But he is still viewed as a work-in-progress, not yet ready for the responsibilities of an NHL backup, let alone a starter. This potentially exposes the Kings should Kuemper falter or have his age/past demons in Washington catch up.

Unlike Byfield, Laferriere, or Clarke, there's no blue-chip netminding prospect clearly on the trajectory to become the next franchise goaltender. The Kings have long been able to lean on dependable goaltending, but that cushion is vanishing, raising serious long-term concerns.

The Pipeline: Once Towering, Now Tapered

Just a few seasons ago, the Kings were heralded as having the league's deepest prospect pipeline. Names like Gabriel Vilardi, Arthur Kaliyev, Rasmus Kupari, Alex Turcotte, and Tobias Bjornfot gave the fanbase hope for a prolonged window. Yet, only a few of those names have blossomed, remained with the team, or developed into prospective core contributors.

In some cases, such as Kupari and Bjornfot, trades and free agency pickups have stunted growth and blocked roster spots. Kaliyev, while one of the more intriguing prospects the Kings have drafted in this century with his pure and lethal scoring ability, struggled with consistency while suffocated in the bottom six. Turcotte, once a top-tier prospect, has battled injuries and stagnation. 

The result? A once-sprawling farm system has been trimmed to a few emerging stars and hopefuls.

More recently, there's Liam Greentree, the team's 2024 first-round pick, who could change that narrative. A big-bodied, skilled winger with scoring instincts, Greentree has the potential to complement Byfield or Laferriere in future top-six roles. But he's still years away and shouldn't be viewed as an immediate fix. It's also a clear-cut need for him to expedite his breakout sooner rather than later, playing above his expected threshold for the team to be viewed as a serious contender down the road, something of an anemic trait of these Los Angeles Kings prospects.

League Comparison: Where Does LA Stand?

In comparison to rebuilding or retooling teams, the Kings' emerging core is promising, but perhaps not elite. The Anaheim Ducks boast names like Mason McTavish, Leo Carlsson, and Olen Zellweger. Buffalo has built a core around Owen Power, Rasmus Dahlin, and Tage Thompson. Detroit is brimming with upside through Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider.

Anaheim and Buffalo were cellar dwellers and could be again. Detroit made a surprising run for the playoffs last year with former Kings bench boss Todd McLellan, but they aren't necessarily in the same category as the Kings.

The Kings aren't relatable to these teams in their up-and-coming cores simply because they are neither rebuilding nor retooling. They are rolling the dice on championship legacy while balancing out the next generation. Their closest comparable is the Pittsburgh Penguins, who chose to stand behind an aging trio of Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and the ageless Sidney Crosby. That didn't fare well.

The Kings have a blend of NHL-ready youth and established elite veterans. That mix can be potent if managed correctly, but when matched up against clubs with their core talent in their primes, there's a dilemma. The challenge has been and continues to be threading the needle between competing now with aging stars like Kopitar and Doughty, and nurturing players like Byfield and Clarke without rushing them.

With the window narrowing on their Cup-winning veterans, the Kings must decide to invest in short-term competitiveness through trades and veteran additions, or double down on development and ride the wave of their emerging stars. Either approach carries risk, but also the potential to extend LA's relevance or irrelevance (see player-option UFA's/free agents/other players wanting to come to LA) into the next era.

Conclusion: The Foundation Is There

The Kings aren't short on talent; they're short on time. Byfield, Laferriere, and Clarke are legitimate pieces to build around, Greentree offers a promising addition to that future, and there's talent in the goaltending pipeline, but an unknown timeframe for readiness. Without an apparent goaltending heir and with a diminished pipeline, the pressure on this trio to succeed in the short term, surrounded by Rob Blake's legacy moves and now Ken Holland's vision, is immense.

If handled correctly, they could usher in a new era of Kings hockey—one that trades grit for glide, and age for athleticism. But if their development falters or injuries strike, the team may find itself in a more daunting next five years than expected.

For now, the future looks bright, but fragile. Los Angeles has its next core. Now they must make it count.

The Minnesota Wild traded forwards Marat Khusnutdinov and Jakub Lauko, along with a 2026 sixth round pick, to the Boston Bruins for forward Justin Brazeau at the traded deadline. 

Lauko played in 18 games with the Bruins after the trade and just signed a three-year deal in the Czech Extraliga League. Khusnutdinov re-signed on a two-year deal with the Bruins after the trade. 

Brazeau, 27, played in 19 games for the Wild following the trade. He had one goal, one assist and 34 hits. He played in all six playoff games for the Wild on the fourth line with Marco Rossi and Yakov Trenin.

The 6-foot-5 forward had two assists and 22 hits in six playoff games. Trenin and Brazeau combined for 56 hits in the playoffs. 

Minnesota elected not to re-sign Brazeau so he entered free agency and signed a two-year contract worth an average annual value of $1.5 million with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He is reunited with Penguins General Manager Kyle Dubas, who signed him in 2019 with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Other Wild News

Former Minnesota Wild Forward Signs Multi-Year Contract In Czech Extraliga LeagueAfter just 139 games in the NHL, the former Minnesota Wild forward Jakub Lauko is heading to Europe to play for Dynamo Pardubice, in the Czech Extraliga League.  Wild's Marco Rossi Training With Hall Of Famer Joe Thornton The offseason is in full swing and players have begun to start training with training camp and preseason just under two months from now.  Who's In Charge? Wild's Power Play Has Three CommandersST. PAUL, Minn - The Minnesota Wild enter the 2025-26 season with a good problem on its hands. Who runs the top power play? In previous years, the Wild never really had a sure-fire number one type of defenseman who could run the top unit. 

Jun 28, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and Nashville Predators general manager David Poile during the 2023 NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

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Dec 26, 2022/vol. 76, issue 08

HERB FRITCH

BY DAVID BOCLAIR

THE CURRENT SEASON marks the start of a notable transition in Nashville. Chairman Herb Fritch has sold a percentage of his majority stake in the franchise to former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam. The deal, which the team referred to as a “multi-phased purchase transaction,” will eventually leave Haslam as majority owner. The transition reportedly will be complete ahead of the 2025-26 season.

When the local ownership group bought the team from Craig Leipold in 2007, Fritch took on a 36.7-percent share. He’d later add more shares to become majority owner. In 2019, in a long-planned and peaceful switch, he replaced Tom Cigarran as chairman.

Fritch set out to make this latest move equally easy on all involved. He personally identified “three or four” people he believed had the interest, resources and local ties to take his spot and ensure the club’s long-term success. Eventually, he settled on Haslam, whose personal fortune Forbes placed at $2.6 billion.

Fritch, a season-ticket holder dating all the way back to the Preds’ 1998-99 inaugural season, has kept a low profile throughout his ownership tenure. In fact, he and his wife, Barb, spend the majority of their time at games in their traditional seats rather than the owner’s suite. He has never conducted annual press conferences to offer his thoughts on the state of affairs on the ice. Likewise, while he signed off on coaching changes, he is not the one who spoke publicly about them when they were made.

Fritch made his fortune in the healthcare industry and uses his wealth to indulge his appreciation for wildlife. For more than two decades, he has been licensed to own exotic animals, and his suburban Nashville farm has been home to giraffes, bison, elk, wallabies and some next-level aquariums.

His eventual sale of the Preds will stuff his coffers further. His group bought the franchise for $175 million, and a recent report said the deal with Haslam is based on a current $775-million valuation.

Haslam – whose brother Jimmy owns the NFL’s Cleveland Browns – is deeply ingrained in the culture in the state of Tennessee. Bill Haslam served two terms as Tennessee governor – assuming office in 2011 and serving until 2019. His term in the governorship came after he served two terms as mayor of Knoxville, Tenn.

NHL VALUATIONS

$810M

FORBES

$775M

SPORTICO

$800M

ROUSTAN

TOP BUSINESS EXECUTIVE

SEAN HENRY

SEAN HENRY APPLIED TO become the Predators’ CEO in 2009 when the local ownership group sought someone with experience to direct the franchise’s business operations and Bridgestone Arena (then-Sommet Center).

Ultimately, he accepted an offer to be president-COO. He then laid out a plan to make annual improvements and upgrades to the arena. He also reinforced and re-energized the team’s connection to its fan base and increased the club’s focus on community involvement.

On Dec. 1, 2015, he succeeded Jeff Cogen as CEO. Henry has brought a blue-collar, everyman approach to the role – which plays well with the fan base.

More importantly, following the 2018-19 season, Henry’s business plan for the team led to a new 30-year lease with Nashville, which will keep the Predators in Bridgestone Arena until 2049. The deal relieved the city of any financial obligation toward arena maintenance and effectively made the Predators self-sufficient.

GOVERNOR AND ALTERNATE GOVERNORS

HERB FRITCH

ALTERNATE GOVERNORS: Tom Cigarran, Sean Henry, Joey Jacobs, David Poile

TOP HOCKEY EXECUTIVE

DAVID POILE

ALREADY THIS SEASON, DAVID Poile became the first GM in NHL history with 3,000 regular-season games to his credit. A short time later, he became the first to win 1,500 games in that role.

Yet there is no getting around what he has not done. Poile has never won a Stanley Cup. The closest he came was when, in 2017, the Predators lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games in the Stanley Cup final.

Consistency is the hallmark of Poile’s career. He is a steady hand willing to make big trades, but he also avoids knee-jerk reactions. As the only GM in Predators history, having been hired July 9, 1997, he has had just three coaches head the bench during his tenure. And Poile has made just one in-season coaching change.

All but his last Washington Capitals team (1996-97) reached the playoffs, and Nashville has been to the post-season 15 of the past 18 years. Yet no Stanley Cup.

COMMUNITY INITIATIVE

THE PREDATORS’ MOST substantial community initiative is the 365 Pediatric Cancer Fund, which gets players, staff and fans involved to fund research and provides escapes for families dealing with pediatric cancer. Initially, D-man Shea Weber and goalie Pekka Rinne served as the fund’s faces, and “365” was an amalgamation of the numbers they wore in Nashville and a nod to the everyday quest to find a cure.

Created more than a decade ago – under the name Nashville Predators Pediatric Cancer Research Fund – it has donated more than $3.6 million to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. This season’s fundraising push kicked off in November as part of the greater Hockey Fights Cancer initiative, which means that number will rise by the end of the 2022-23 season.

The franchise also has been involved with the YWCA of Nashville to create Amend Together, a five-year, $500,000 partnership designed to create educational initiatives and support programs dedicated to ending violence against women and girls. The program seeks to create and foster “healthy masculinity” so that men and boys are part of the solution.

Predators CEO Sean Henry serves as an Amend ambassador, which puts him on the front lines of the effort’s planning, fundraising and outreach.

However, franchise leadership demands that community involvement goes beyond simply raising money and distributing grants through the Nashville Predators Foundation or generating goodwill through players’ initiatives. All staff members get paid for 40 hours (or more) of work annually to be involved in service projects outside of the office. Among them are annual staff outings for playground construction and holiday initiatives, but employees are free to choose their own causes to support with their time and energy.