As the Conference Finals move along, teams that have been eliminated are looking to make adjustments that will help them get back into contention next season, and one of those teams is the Boston Bruins.

After a disappointing 2024-25 campaign, the Bruins decided to look for a new bench boss, and according to reports, they have signed a former San Jose Sharks forward.

Hearing Marco Sturm is set to become the next Boston Bruins head coach

— Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) May 28, 2025

Marco Sturm, who was serving as the head coach of the Ontario Reign, has reportedly been signed as the new head coach of the Bruins. Sturm, who is 46 years old, was drafted by the Sharks in the first round of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft at 21st overall.

He played for almost eight full seasons before being traded to the Bruins in the 2005-06 season, and went on to play with several other teams before his final NHL appearance came in the 2011-12 season with the Florida Panthers. 

While this is the only report to come out, we will continue to update as we learn more about the news. 

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If there’s one thing clear for the Montreal Canadiens this postseason, it’s that they are in the market for a second-line center. Not that GM Kent Hughes hasn’t tried to plug that hole since his arrival, but both Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook have failed to live up to expectations so far. The solution for the Habs might be closer than one would have thought..

There have been rumblings recently that the Boston Bruins may be testing the water to see what their top-line center, Pavel Zacha, could fetch in a trade, and the pivot may be what the Canadiens need. The sixth overall pick in the 2015 NHL draft started his career with the New Jersey Devils and spent seven seasons in the organization without truly breaking out. However, when he moved to Boston, his production exploded.

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In his first two seasons in Beantown, Zacha recorded 57 and 59 points, pretty high totals for a player who had never registered more than 36 points in the NHL. Last season, his production dipped to 47 points, but considering the Bruins plummeted in the standings to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2016, that was to be expected. The versatile pivot had two years left on a more than reasonable contract with a $4.75 M cap hit.

Zacha has proven that he can be an offensive threat, especially when paired with highly talented players. The Canadiens currently have a vacancy to play alongside highly talented rookie Ivan Demidov and Finnish sniper Patrik Laine. That’s a lot of talent on one line. At 28 years old, he’s not too old to fit in with the Canadiens’ plan. He could help them achieve results in the short term, and in two years, if he decides to move, Michael Hage will have matured and turned pro (hopefully) with a year of AHL hockey under his belt.

Judging by Don Sweeney’s moves at the trade deadline, significant changes could be coming to Boston. You don’t trade your captain for futures, even if he is on an expiring deal, if you think you can be competitive the following season. After saying goodbye to Patrice Bergeron two seasons ago, the Bruins' faithful had to bid farewell to Brad Marchand this Spring, and it truly feels like the end of an era for the Massachusetts outfit.

Missing the playoffs must have been a wake-up call for the Bruins' GM. Suppose Hughes can put together an attractive package. In that case, we could see a rare deal between Atlantic Division rivals—a first since the Canadiens sent defenseman Eric Weinrich to the Bruins for Patrick Traverse in 2001. The lack of deals between the two sides is not exactly surprising; they play in the same division, and the Habs burn the Bs badly with the Ken Dryden trade in 1964.

If Sweeney is genuinely looking for a rebuild, one of the Canadiens’ two first-round picks could become quite attractive. The Habs also have a cupboard full of intriguing prospects, and Hughes would probably be amenable to moving some if he believes that would settle the organization’s most pressing need.

Photo Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

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With the 2025 NHL Entry Draft approaching fast, POHO and GM Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins have their work cut out for them. 

Since the Penguins have a total of 30 picks over the next three drafts, including 11 this year - which could reduce to 10 if the conditional first-round pick from the New York Rangers defers to 2026 - there will be plenty of opportunity for the Penguins to add impact players. Of their 11 picks in 2025, six of them are in the first three rounds.

After the results of the draft lottery on May 5, the Penguins will officially select 11th overall, dropping down two spots from where they originally were at ninth. As such, we have compiled a list of potential draft prospects that should fall around the Penguins' selection. 

We recently profiled center Jake O'Brien, forward Victor Eklund, defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson, center Brady Martin, center Roger McQueen, and right wing Justin Carbonneau. Next up? Right defenseman Logan Hensler.

Penguins Drop Two Slots In NHL Draft, Will Pick 11th OverallIn past draft lotteries, the

Logan Hensler

DOB: Oct. 14, 2006 (Age 18)
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Right
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 196 pounds
Team: University of Wisconsin (NCAA)

In most mock drafts and projections, the defense position isn't particularly deep this year. However, that doesn't mean there aren't some hidden gems right around where the Penguins will be drafting at 11.

And Logan Hensler should be one of the names on their wishlist.

The right-side defender's stats may not jump out on the scoresheet - he registered just two goals and 12 points in 32 games with the University of Wisconsin Badgers in his rookie season - but he's certainly got all of the tools to become a threat on both sides of the puck.

Logan Hensler's draft stock is sliding lately, but his NHL upside is still real

He's a smart, consistent and reliable defender. Much better off-puck than on. Solid gaps, positioning and disruptions

Here are some clips from two games against #1 ranked Michigan State (#6 white) pic.twitter.com/eqyQsYVz0A

— Derek Neumeier (@Derek_N_NHL) December 20, 2024

Logan Hensler (ranked 11th on Bob McKenzie's board) is a mobile RD who can play an effective shutdown style but hasn't overly explored his offensive game in the past years.

Flashes of on-puck skill are apparent in rushes like these where he uses his feet to create entries: pic.twitter.com/tYLMQklEyd

— Sebastian High (@high_sebastian) January 23, 2025

He's got size at 6-foot-2, 196 pounds. He's mobile, agile, and smart with the puck. He defends well, he skates well, and he's good with his stick. 

Even though there are some question marks around his offensive production, Hensler's defensive game is already quite rounded out, and it's something that should earn him a role at the NHL level as a shutdown defender, at the very least. His gap control, stick work, and ability to get the puck out of danger in the defensive zone are all pluses.

Hensler played for Team USA in the World Junior Championship this season alongside Cole Hutson, and the Woodbury, Minn. native notched an assist in seven games leading up to Team USA's gold medal at the event.

Logan Hensler (#2025NHLDraft) found himself on the 2nd pair in his WJC debut and thrived with Cole Hutson.

Here is every clip of his eventful puck touches. Hensler finished with 15:55 TOI and a +3 rating in his debut. pic.twitter.com/tC17iLDTud

— Nathan "Grav" Murdock (@NathanGraviteh) December 26, 2024

Even though his name may not be as big as others like potential no. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer, and, even, Kashawn Aitcheson, Hensler projects as a reliable shutdown defenseman at the least, which is something the Penguins need. And there is potential for a much higher ceiling because of his mobility.

There are still ways for him to improve his game in terms of physicality and offensive zone awareness, but nonethless, he's a reliable defender. The only potential trouble with the Penguins selecting Hensler at 11th overall is that he reads as more of a "safe" option. While "safe" isn't necessarily a bad thing, there are other talents around this area that could reap higher reward.

While Hensler's floor is low, the chances of him reaching his ceiling - despite all the tools being there - are a bit lower. So, if he is available at 11, the Penguins should consider risk v. reward.

Penguins Draft Prospect Profile: Kashawn AitchesonWith the 2025 NHL Entry Draft approaching fast, POHO and GM Kyle Dubas and the 

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If at first you don’t succeed, eh?

For the second time this week, the Florida Panthers will look to punch their ticket to a third straight Stanley Cup Final when they face the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final on Wednesday night.

After scoring 16 goals during their first three wins over the Carolina Hurricanes, Florida couldn’t keep up with the Canes in Game 4 and were subsequently shutout 3-0.

That meant the Cats had to travel back to Raleigh for another chance to dissipate the Hurricanes.

Florida will look to recapture the momentum they built during their first visit to Lenovo Center, where they jumped all over Carolina and outscored them 10-2 while taking the first two games of the series.

Despite the loss on Monday, the Panthers remain in a good spot, but as they learned during last year’s Stanley Cup Final, a big series lead can disappear in the blink of an eye.

“We put ourselves in a great position, great situation, going on the road with a 3-1 lead,” said Panthers Captain Sasha Barkov. “We just have to bring our best. We were not at our best (in Game 4), and we'll learn from that and be better next game.”

The Panthers looked a step slow during Game 4.

Breakouts seemed sluggish at times and countless passes just missed, with many being deflected by the Hurricanes’ excellent stickwork.

“They played really well,” said Barkov. “They defended well. They attacked well. It was a great game by them. We were not at our best, so we need to be better.”

One thing that could help Florida improve on their Game 4 performance would be the return of one or more of three players who did not suit up due to injury.

Each of Sam Reinhart, A.J. Greer and Niko Mikkola were on the ice at the Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday before the team boarded a flight to Raleigh.

Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice indicated there was a chance all three could play in Game 5, saying that they would all skate in the morning and then see how each was feeling.

Here are the Panthers projected lines and pairings for Game 5 in Carolina:

Evan Rodrigues – Sasha Barkov – Sam Reinhart

Carter Verhaeghe – Sam Bennett – Matthew Tkachuk

Eetu Luostarinen – Anton Lundell – Brad Marchand

A.J. Greer – Tomas Nosek – Jonah Gadjovich

Gus Forsling – Aaron Ekblad

Niko Mikkola – Seth Jones

Nate Schmidt – Dmitry Kulikov

Scratches: Mackie Samoskevich, Uvis Balinskis, Jesper Boqvist, Nico Sturm, Jaycob Megna

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Photo caption: May 22, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov (16) celebrates scoring during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes in game two of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images