Like Steve Albert, author of "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Broadcast Booth," I, too, wanted to be a play-by-play announcer.

Like Brother Steve, I succeeded. Unlike Steve, my career doing play by play ended with one game. But since I remember it as if it happened yesterday, I figure you might want to listen up.

But, before I go on, lemme say that – as a young Maple Leaf fan – I devotely listened to Foster Hewitt warble over CBL-Toronto. I figured, to be a solid hockey play-by-play guy, just know when to shout, "HE SHOOTS, HE SCORES!" 

And, really, that's all there is to it. So, here's what happened – and how very wrong I was.

During the 1954-55 NHL season, I  was assistant Rangers publicist and my boss Herb Goren often would give me neat assignments, like writing the texts on the backs of Topp's hockey cards or reading through out-of-town papers for hockey stories.

It was a dream gig until one night, Herbie uttered the never-to-be-forgotten words: "How would you like to do play-by-play tonight?"

Before I could say, "You gotta be kidding!" My boss went on as follows: "The guy who does all our games for Armed Forces Radio is sick and they need somebody to call the game." 

A few seconds after my temporary case of lockjaw disappeared, I said, "Sure," and then wondered what to do next. Which was nothing.

The Blueshirts were playing Montreal that night. They were good and we weren't and what else was there to know. All our games with the Habs were delicious with thrills, win, lose or brawl.

I recall telling myself as I sat down after the National Anthem, "Just be Foster Hewitt and all will be well."

There were two issues: 1. I wasn't Foster Hewitt and 2. All was not well. At least not from the second period going forward. Ah but one play made it all worthwhile.

"Hello, this is Stan Fischler for Armed Forces Radio bringing you the Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadiens against the New York Rangers,."

For about five minutes the Blueshirts held them off until New York defenseman Ivan Irwin took a penalty which was bad and good. Bad because Montreal had the best power play in the league and good because Aldo Reno Guidolin, my favorite Ranger, would take the ice.

Guidolin, who wore #12, was the only player in NHL history to come from Forks Of Credit, Ontario. He was a defensive forward who didn't play that much but he did kill penalties so I gave him a big plug. (Who knew what would happen next!)

An Fascinating Revelation Via Ex-GM Craig PatrickThe Maven's Roundtable has produced varying views of former

"And here comes the Rangers PEERLESS penalty-killer, Aldo Guidolin." The Habs mighty power play had defenseman Doug Harvey at one point and Boom Boom Geoffrion at the other. Rocket Richard, Dickie Moore and Jean Beliveau were up front.

Beliveau won the draw and passed it back to Geoffrion at the left point. Guidolin headed straight for Boom Boom whose shot hit Aldo in the leg and bounced back toward center ice. It was at this point that The Maven lost his mind, shouting;

"IT'S A BREAKAWAY...ALDO GUIDOLIN IS IN THE CLEAR – NOBODY NEAR HIM." I inhaled and for a second wondered what my guy was doing. Aldo kept moving in from the right, too close to suit me and it looked like he was going to blow it.

"HE'S CUTTING ACROSS THE GOALMOUTH (left to right) HE SHOOTS!  HE SCORRRRRRES!" I was so overwhelmed by the end to end rush that I momentarily  wondered if I called it right, so I did it the second time to be sure.

But the Rangers still had the penalty and, in those Original Six days a team could score as many goals on a power play as the two minutes would allow. The Habs wasted no time tying the game; which brought my decibel count down by half.

By the time it was 6-1 for Montreal, you could hardly hear me – or the Blueshirts for that matter – and when the final buzzer sounded, I was secure in the knowledge that the only time I should ever do Rangers play -by-play again is when #12 scores a shorthanded goal.

P.S. Armed Forces Radio gave me a disk of the entire game. I had an extra made and gave it to Aldo and Phyllis as their wedding present. 

P.S.S. I played the breakaway segment a few times – and made sure nobody in a white coat was around – just to convince myself that it really happened. 

P.S.S.S. Guidolin and I remained close friends until his death on November 8, 2015.

Did you miss anything from the past week at The Hockey News - Columbus Blue Jackets? If you did, we have you covered with the Sunday Recap. Click on each card below to read the stories from the past week. 

From Ex-players to current players and everything in between, we've got you covered. 

71 Days Until Opening Night At Nationwide ArenaNick Foligno was traded to Columbus from the Ottawa Senators on July 1st, 2012, and that’s where the legendary story begins for him. He had already spent five years in Ottawa, racking up 148 points. It looked like it was the start of a promising career. And then in 2012, the Senators made some changes. They decided they wanted Marc Methot and sent Foligno back in exchange. Many people don’t realize that the Senators tried trading for Rick Nash just before this trade, but Nash refused to be sent to Ottawa. The Jackets signed Foligno to a three-year deal a few days after the trade.

Former Blue Jackets Defenseman Comes Out Of Retirement; Signs With Kärpät Of LiigaFormer Columbus Blue Jackets 7th round draft pick, and veteran of 275 games, Markus Nutivaara has come out of retirement after missing the past several years. 

70 Days Until Opening Night At NWA: Joonas KorpisaloJoonas Korpisalo was the ultimate professional while he was in Columbus. For four years, he backed up Blue Jacket great Sergei Bobrovsky and usually played well when he did it.

Insider Hints At Nick Robertson For Yegor Chinakhov TradeAccording to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Toronto Maple Leafs could have a deal that would help both teams.

69 Days Until Opening Night At NWA: Jordan DumaisJordan Dumais was born just outside of Montreal on the island of Ille Bizard, Que. But don't let a 5-foot-9 and 174-pound frame fool you.

Former Blue Jackets Legend Still Looking For A ContractFormer long time Blue Jackets forward Cam Atkinson is still unsigned and is searching for a contract in order to continue his NHL career. 

Blue Jackets Biggest Trade Chips: Yegor ChinakhovAs we slowly navigate through the dog days of summer, there's likely going to be an increase in trade rumors as we creep toward the start of the 2025-26 NHL season.

How Far Will The Columbus Blue Jackets Travel In The 2025-26 Season?Every NHL team travels, it's just what needs to happen when you play every team in the league. But with teams all over North America, some teams travel more than others. 

James van Riemsdyk Has High Praise For Zach WerenskiJames van Riemsdyk appeared on Daily Faceoff's 

67 Days Until Opening Night At NWA: James MalatestaIf James Malatesta can put it all together, he's going to be a force in the NHL.

Blue Jackets' Biggest Trade Chips: Dmitri VoronkovThe Columbus Blue Jackets have a few big decisions to make in the next handful of months. First, Yegor Chinakhov and his public trade request will need to be dealt with. Secondly, and potentially most importantly, there was talk just hours before the 2025 NHL Draft that the organization was looking to trade Dmitri Voronkov in an attempt to land Noah Dobson.

One Of Cam Atkinson's Team Records Is In Kirill Marchenko's SightsFormer CBJ legend Cam Atkinson is at the top of many stat categories for the Jackets. After all, he did play 627 games before the trade to

From The Archive: To Believe Or Not To Believe? The Hockey News has released its archive to all THN subscribers: 76 years of history, stories, and features.

65 Days Until Opening Night At NWA: Luca Del Bel BelluzWhen Luca Del Bel Belluz told reporters at development camp a couple of years ago that he would be turning pro, Blue Jacket and Monster fans were excited. He had served his required time in Junior, so we knew he was on his way, but hearing him say it meant it was real.

Former Monsters Forward Rumored To Be Signing In KHLFormer Monsters forward Rocco Grimaldi is rumored to be joining SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL.

An Early Look At The Blue Jackets' 2025-26 Projected Opening Night RosterWe've officially entered the last month of the calendar that doesn't have NHL games in it. We are only a bit over a month away from the start of 2025 NHL training camp and then preseason. Because of that, I thought it would be fun to take an early look at what the Columbus Blue Jackets' projected opening night lineup could look like.

64 Days Until Opening Night At Nationwide ArenaThere have only been two players wear the #64 for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Unfortunately for Columbus, neither one of them made a significant impact for Columbus. Cleveland is a different story, however. 

Let us know what you think below.

Stay updated with the most interesting Blue Jackets stories, analysis, breaking news, and more!

Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News and never miss a story. 

The New Jersey Devils are part of one of the NHL’s best rivalries: the cross-river showdown with the New York Rangers. Widely regarded as one of the league’s fiercest competitions, it’s a matchup fueled by geography, history, and passionate fan bases.

Other top NHL rivalries include:

• Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
• Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens
• Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Boston Bruins
• Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals
• Calgary Flames vs. Edmonton Oilers
• New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils
• Philadelphia Flyers vs. Washington Capitals

Known as the Hudson River Rivalry, or the Battle of the Hudson, the Devils and Rangers feud began in 1982, when the Devils relocated to New Jersey. Rangers fans were quick to bristle at the idea of a new team just 12 miles away. The Devils call the Prudential Center in Newark home. At the same time, the Rangers play at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, a short 25-minute drive between arenas, making it easy for fans to invade enemy territory.

While proximity sparked the tension, on-ice battles cemented it. Games are often physical, emotional, and fiercely contested. The rivalry’s peak came in the mid-1990s: in 1994, the Rangers claimed the Stanley Cup after defeating Vancouver; in 1995, the Devils answered back by beating Detroit for their own championship.

Since the 2004–05 season, the teams have met 43 times, each game seemingly more heated than the last. In 2024, Rangers rookie enforcer Matt Rempe stirred controversy by injuring a Devils player, earning himself a suspension. Devils fans need no prompting to chant “Rangers Suck” whenever the Blueshirts visit Newark, a tradition even immortalized in Seinfeld.

Of course, the Devils have other regional rivalries. The Philadelphia Flyers' feud with New Jersey has history, proximity, and memorable incidents, like the infamous leg stomp and the Lindros Corollary, making it the Devils’ second-strongest rivalry. The Islanders, however, haven’t posed a consistent threat in recent years, keeping that rivalry a notch lower.

Still, no matchup compares to Devils vs. Rangers. The blend of history, fan hostility, and close quarters has created one of the most intense rivalries in the NHL, one that shows no signs of cooling off.

The two teams will not face each other this season until March 7th, 2026. In the meantime the rivalry has time to brew. 

Image Credit: © Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

EL SEGUNDO, CA — The Los Angeles Kings made a quiet but meaningful move this week, re-signing forward Alex Laferriere to a three-year contract extension. While the deal doesn’t carry the headline shock of a blockbuster trade or marquee free agent signing the team sought in the early days of free agency, it speaks volumes about the organization’s belief in the 23-year-old’s upside and versatility. 

For a team balancing a veteran core with an emerging next generation, locking up Laferriere is more than just a depth signing. It’s about creating flexibility in a roster that has seen plenty of its up and coming forwards show ability to play wing and center.

Laferriere’s Journey and Impact

Drafted in the third round (83rd overall) in 2020, Laferriere arrived in Los Angeles as an intriguing prospect out of Harvard University. He was known for his high-energy style, relentless forechecking, and willingness to play in all three zones. His transition to the NHL has been defined by exactly those traits—he doesn’t take shifts off, plays with noticeable pace, and has the kind of competitive edge that coaches trust in high-leverage moments.

Echoing Alex Iafallo, Laferriere shocked both team and non-team personnel with his opening NHL camp and his first full NHL season, as he not only made the roster but quickly earned a reputation for reliability, versatility, and a knack for complementing more offensively gifted linemates. That would diminish down the stretch in his first season with Kings’ fan favorite Pierre Luc Dubois.

Laferriere has shown promise, potentially emerging as a high-end secondary scoring threat even after his second season on a potent line with Quinton Byfield and Kevin Fiala. He posted modest point totals (42 points), threatened to score 20 in his second season (19), while showing flashes of dominant responsible play (+22) to keep the door open for further growth.

Perhaps the most appealing part of Laferriere’s game is his ability to seamlessly shift between roles of winger and center. He can play up and down the lineup, handle tough defensive assignments, and, critically for the Kings, has the potential to take on minutes at center if needed.

The Center Question in Los Angeles

For years, the Kings have been spoiled down the middle. Anze Kopitar has been the franchise’s future Hall of Fame rock, combining Selke-level defense with offensive production. Phillip Danault has provided elite shutdown capability and secondary scoring. Behind them, the team envisioned a future with Byfield as the next top-line centerpiece and Alex Turcotte anchoring the middle six.

Alex Laferriere with the SWEET no-look feed to Kevin Fiala who makes it 7-3 Kings 😮‍💨🔥 pic.twitter.com/dpQjnvLfMz

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) December 20, 2024

Hockey development is rarely linear, which can be said even about well thought out plans. For the Kings, Byfield has taken encouraging strides, but Turcotte’s journey has been marred by injuries and inconsistency. Once viewed as a sure bet to claim a full-time NHL center role, Turcotte has yet to cement himself in the lineup, despite showing signs of growth while getting top line wing time with Kopitar and Adrian Kempe last season. 

General Manager Ken Holland has projected Turcotte to anchor the fourth line this upcoming season, next to Joel Armia and Corey Perry. A brand new line never seen before in Los Angeles should be cause for excitement, though the ceiling of a line that might get max 10-13 minutes should dampen expectations. History is also against Turcotte here, with their higher-end prospects seemingly dying on the vine in the bottom six (Rasmus Kupari, Jared Anderson-Dolan, Arthur Kaliyev, and now Akil Thomas). 

The Kings could face a significant gap in their depth chart within the next two to three years if Turcotte cannot form into a low end 2C, Kopitar in his potential last year and Danault, despite defying expectations in LA, stepping closer to his mid-thirties.

That’s where Laferriere’s extension becomes more strategic than it appears at first glance.

Laferriere as a Center Option

While Laferriere has spent most of his NHL time on the wing, he has experience playing center at lower levels, including during his NCAA days. His defensive responsibility, hockey IQ, and skating make him a plausible option to transition back into the middle if the Kings need to fill a spot, either due to injury, roster reshuffling, or Turcotte’s up-and-down developmental journey.

As I asked Laferriere in his recent availability about the potential at center:

“I think for how I am as a player, I’ve always kind of prided myself on being someone who can be put anywhere in the lineup and try to do my best there… I think Jimmy trusts me in that role [at center]”

For a player who rarely played center growing up, the move wouldn’t be without challenges, though to have an NHL coach (regardless in his first year as a benchboss in the league) trusting a player like Laferriere at center, speaks volumes. Center in the NHL is a demanding position, requiring more defensive reads, faceoff responsibilities, and the ability to facilitate offense from the middle of the ice. But Laferriere’s style, driven by anticipation, work ethic, and adaptability, suggests he could handle at least a hybrid role.

Even if he doesn’t become a full-time pivot, having him capable of spot duty at center provides Los Angeles with lineup flexibility. In the postseason, when injuries and matchup needs often force changes, that kind of utility can be the difference between stability and scrambling.

What If Turcotte Doesn’t Pan Out?

The Turcotte situation looms large over the Kings’ forward group. Drafted fifth overall in 2019, in a wave of great up and coming USHL players, Turcotte was projected to be a top-six, two-way center in the mold of Jonathan Toews, a player who could dominate at both ends of the ice and impose himself as a natural leader. Instead, injuries and developmental setbacks have limited his NHL exposure and slowed his progression.

If Turcotte can’t secure a consistent center role, the Kings have three options:

First, shift an existing winger to center. Laferriere should be the leading candidate here, given his profile. It wouldn’t be an ideal full-time solution, but it could work in specific scenarios. Kempe has played center, but is better weaponized on the wing.

Secondly, rely on other internal prospects. Though the pipeline, which includes some intriguing names, are not remotely surefire NHL-ready centers in the next year or two. This approach carries the most risk in the fallout of a once brimming with talent center pipeline.

Lastly, acquire a center via trade or free agency. This would be the most expensive option in both cap space and assets, especially for a contending team. 

It is important to note however, that the projected cap will continue to rise, with Kopitar coming off the books and Drew Doughty's AAV due to come back down to earth for his next contract. There could be some money to play with despite Kempe destined to be the next eight digit player on the Kings.

In this context, Laferriere’s three-year deal acts as insurance. If Turcotte emerges as a reliable middle-six center, Laferriere remains a valuable winger with the flexibility to move around. If Turcotte doesn’t, the Kings have at least one internal player capable of stepping in without completely overhauling the roster.

Cap and Contract Implications

From a financial perspective, the Laferriere extension is a low-risk, high-upside move. His cap hit remains manageable, giving the Kings room to maneuver as they navigate contracts for other young players and potentially add reinforcements. The three-year term also ensures cost certainty during a period when the roster may undergo significant changes.

For a team walking the line between “win now” and “develop for the future,” cost-controlled versatility is gold. Laferriere fits that bill perfectly.

Looking Ahead

The Kings are at an inflection point. The Kopitar-Doughty era is winding down, and the Byfield-Clarke generation is just beginning to take shape. In between sits a group of players like Laferriere, core upside but essentially bridge pieces who can connect the eras while carving out their own place in the team’s identity.

If Turcotte finally breaks through, the Kings will have enviable depth down the middle. If not, Laferriere’s adaptability could quietly become one of the organization’s most important assets if they cannot bolster their center corps with an external move.

Either way, this three-year deal isn’t just about locking up a promising young forward. It’s about keeping options open in a league where flexibility often dictates success.

Bottom Line

Laferriere’s extension is a savvy, strategic and forward-thinking move for the Kings. It ensures lineup stability, provides potential coverage at a critical position, and reinforces the team’s commitment to building around players who can adapt to whatever the future holds. For a franchise navigating the balance between legacy and next-generation talent, that might be exactly what they need.

The New York Islanders know what Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal are capable of when together.

Yes, the 2024-25 season was a lost year for the duo, with Barzal sustaining two long-term injuries that limited him to just 30 games.

But in 2023-24, the duo produced.

Horvat recorded 22 goals and 26 assists at 5-on-5 that season, with Barzal posting 18 goals and 37 assists at 5-on-5, with his overall 80 points the most since his Calder-winning season back in 2017-18.

However, for the 2025-26 season, the Islanders have decided to separate Barzal and Horvat, with Barzal going back to his natural position of center.

While Barzal certainly feels more comfortable down the middle, the loss of Brock Nelson to the Colorado Avalanche at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline left a hole at the No. 2 center position.

While Calum Ritchie, the big-time prospect the Islanders got in return for Nelson, will have a chance to make the team out of training camp, giving him the responsibility of being the second-line center may be too much for the 20-year-old, who only has seven games of NHL experience.

Here's what Darche said when asked by “The Sheet’s” Jeff Marek about Barzal:

"The beauty of it, to me, with Mathew is yes, he's a centerman, but the more players you have that can play different positions, that gives you options," Darche said. "Last year, he had good moments with Bo Horvat, but sometimes they might both be centers, and sometimes during times of the game, times of the year, maybe they play together. So having that flexibility is great."

Darche Dissected: A Deep Dive Into His Interview On ‘The Sheet’New York Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche had a lot to say to Jeff Marek. Let's break it down.

The Edmonton Oilers are notorious for this method.

Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are both centermen, with head coach Kris Knoblauch usually having them separated at 5-on-5.

However, whenever Edmonton needed to score a goal, those two usually heard their names called.

And more often than not, Edmonton found a way to put the puck in the back of the net.

It's a tremendous luxury to have the ability to do that with two top forwards.

While there's no question that if Barzal's going to play center, he's going to have to perform much better in the faceoff dot — he owns a career 42.3% on faceoffs — he is a righty. Horvat is a lefty, which allows that line to take draws and use whoever is on their strong side, another luxury.

McDavid and Draisaitl are both left-handed.

There will be times during the season, potentially late in games, where the Islanders need a goal or Roy is looking to get the boys buzzing again.

He knows what he has in his former dynamic duo and can put the two together without worrying about how they might play. One part that can't be overlooked here is the defensive play of those two.

Horvat has always been a strong two-way player, and Barzal's game away from the puck grew exponentially when he was on Horvat's wing.

So, Roy could have Horvat and Barzal out on the ice late in games, preserving a lead if he has to — the Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Simon Holmstrom duo may get tasked with that — and not have to worry about a defensive drop-off.

As of right now, we know that Jonathan Drouin will play on Horvat's left wing, but outside of that, the rest of the lineup — especially who rounds out that “top line” and who Barzal will play with — remains a mystery.

Could Kyle Palmieri flank Horvat? Will Anders Lee and Barzal be reunited long-term like we saw during the Barry Trotz days? Has Holmstrom earned the right to be the starting second-line right winger?

Roy has a ton of options, but Roy also needs results early, one would think.

If he's having a hard time finding suitable linemates to get the best out of Barzal, we may see No. 13 back on Horvat's wing in short order.

Yes, that would put the Islanders in a tough situation since, outside of Barzal, they really don't have an answer for the second-line center spot.

But maybe Ritchie surprises everybody at training camp and shows he can be that guy.

Peel Back The Curtain: Calum Ritchie's Path To Making Islanders Isn't So Far-FetchedWith the

That would change everything because then the Islanders could have Drouin-Horvat-Barzal as a top line without hurting the overall makeup of the lineup.

Training camp opens in mid-September, as we are almost...almost a month away. 

Earlier this off-season, the Montreal Canadiens re-signed defenseman Jayden Struble to a two-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $1.4125 million. Getting this deal done with Struble was important for the Canadiens, as he is among their most promising young defensemen.

Struble is coming off a solid season with the Canadiens, as he scored two goals and set new career highs with 11 assists, 13 points, and 124 hits in 56 games. This was after the 6-foot defenseman recorded three goals and 10 points in 56 games with the Canadiens during his rookie season in 2023-24. 

Overall, Struble has had a solid start to his NHL career and is cementing himself as a nice part of the Canadiens' blueline because of it. Yet, when noting that he is still only 23 years old and has just 112 career NHL games on his resume, he undoubtedly still has the potential to hit a new level. With this, he is a clear breakout candidate on the Canadiens to watch during the 2025-26 season. 

Struble has certainly shown promise early on in his career, and he should only improve as he continues to gain more experience. If he can get his offense up a bit more and continue to be reliable defensively, it would be massive for a Canadiens team on the rise. It will be intriguing to see if he can put together a breakout year for the Habs from here.

Former Canadiens Defender Still A Free AgentSince we are in August, the majority of this year's top unrestricted free agents (UFAs) have signed their new contracts. While this is the case, there are still some interesting veteran players looking for their new homes. One of them is former