Vegas Golden Knights prospect Trevor Connelly was acquired from the Spokane Chiefs by the Penticton Vees in the WHL expansion draft.
Prior to the start of the 2024-25 season, rumours had swirled about the possibility of Connelly forgoing his NCAA eligibility to play in the WHL. The rumours were quickly put to rest, and Connelly joined Providence College. The season was challenging for the 19-year-old, dealing with injuries throughout the campaign.
He finished his freshman season with four goals and 13 points in 23 games, losing in the first round of the National Championship tournament. He did finish the season winning one tournament, securing a gold medal with Team USA at the World Juniors.
Following the disappointing freshman season, Connelly signed his entry-level contract with the Golden Knights, playing six AHL games with the Henderson Silver Knights, scoring a goal and four points.
After signing his entry-level contract, the expectation was that Connelly would continue to develop in the AHL, and although nothing has been confirmed, the move sparks up the rumours about Connelly heading to the WHL.
His skill set is one of a player ready for professional hockey, but his frame is not, and the AHL is a physical league. Playing in the WHL could allow him to continue to hone his game while providing him the opportunity to add muscle.
Nothing is set in stone, but it's a positive situation for Connelly to have several options to get the most out of his development.
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Golden Knights Sign Tuomas Uronen To Three-Year, Entry-Level ContractThe Vegas Golden Knights have signed forward Tuomas Uronen to a three-year, entry-level contract.
(Header/feature image courtesy of The Hockey News' Megan DeRuchie)
Matvei Michkov didn’t need a Calder Trophy nomination to prove he belongs in the NHL.
While the hockey world buzzed about top rookies this season, the 20-year-old Philadelphia Flyers forward compiled an impressive first campaign—electrifying crowds with his creativity, igniting plays with his vision, and, most importantly to him, making strides that go well beyond stat sheets.
In typical Michkov fashion, he met the news of not being named a Calder finalist with the same cool composure he tried to bring to every shift on the ice.
“I’m not sure,” Michkov said when asked how he felt about the omission in a new interview with RG. “I guess I should’ve played better so there’d be no doubt who the best rookie was. But it is what it is. It won’t change how I approach things.”
This was a season of firsts for Michkov—his first in North America, his first time adjusting to a completely different language and culture, and his first test against the grind of an 82-game NHL schedule. Still, he delivered. While others drew more headlines, Michkov steadily proved why he’s considered one of the most gifted young players in the world. He flashed high-end offensive instincts, blended skill with a dogged work ethic, and grew into his role with the Flyers as the season progressed.
“Of course, I feel I could’ve scored more points and played better in some moments—there were plenty of chances that I didn’t finish,” he said. “I didn’t have any specific numbers in mind before the season started, because I didn’t know what to expect. New country, new people. My main goal was to show what I can do and enjoy every game. Sometimes it worked out, sometimes it didn’t. But now my focus is to train well in the offseason, get stronger, and help the team make the playoffs. That’s our main goal.”
It’s that consistent team-first attitude that has quickly earned Michkov respect in the Flyers’ locker room. His skill is undeniable, but it’s his mindset that may truly set him apart. Even after a strong rookie season—one that might’ve made him a Calder finalist or even winner in a different year—Michkov has no interest in personal accolades. He’s already looking ahead to what matters most to him: team success.
“Yes—make the playoffs first,” Michkov said when asked about his goals for Year 2. “Then try to win the Stanley Cup. Personally, I’m not setting any specific numbers. The only goal I have is a team goal, and I’ll do everything I can to reach it.”
“He’s probably the one player I’ve played with where he wants to be the best player in the NHL. He believes he can be.”
— Siobhan Nolan (@SGNolan) April 18, 2025
—Travis Konecny on Matvei Michkov. Said his competitiveness was up there with Claude Giroux. #LetsGoFlyers
That doesn’t mean Michkov wasn’t paying attention to his peers. The NHL’s rookie class this year was stacked with talent, from physical defensemen to crafty playmakers. Michkov singled out Montreal Canadiens blueliner and Calder favorite Lane Hutson as someone who caught his eye.
“I didn’t follow [the other rookies] closely, but the media talked about it a lot, so it was impossible to ignore," he admitted. "Lane Hutson had a really strong season. He scored a lot and was great on the powerplay. I really like his game. I actually saw him back in 2020 at the Winter Youth Olympics. I told [Washington Capitals prospect] Ivan Miroshnichenko at the time, ‘Watch that guy—he’s going to make it.’ And now he’s playing the same way in the NHL. I’m happy for him.”
But Michkov is more focused on how he can take the next step. With his rookie season behind him, the Russian forward is focused less on what he can change and more on how he can refine his approach. It’s not about altering his game—it’s about maturing his mindset.
“Honestly, I’d do everything the same,” he said. “Hockey is hockey. The only difference is that now I’ve learned to stay calmer. When you’re calm, things start to go your way—your game, your life. When I was younger, I couldn’t always control my emotions. I wasted too much energy. That’s the only thing I’d change. Even though it’s hard to stay calm all the time, that’s what I’m working on.”
That level of introspection is relatively rare in a player so young. But then again, Michkov has always carried himself a bit differently than most 20-year-old players. He doesn’t need individual trophies to validate his place in the league. He’s shown what he can do—and more importantly, he knows what he still wants to become.
When the Edmonton Oilers met the Dallas Stars in the 2024 Western Conference final a year ago, Thomas Harley largely flew under the radar on a blueline that was led by Miro Heiskanen and also featured grizzled veterans Esa Lindell, Chris Tanev and Ryan Suter.
This year, Harley is proving impossible to ignore.
Just ask the Winnipeg Jets, who watched Harley end their season with his power-play winner on Saturday night.
That was Harley’s fourth goal and 11th point in 13th playoff games, putting him one point behind Edmonton’s Evan Bouchard for the post-season scoring lead among defenseman through two rounds.
For the first 10 games of the playoffs, the Stars leaned hard on Harley while Heiskanen finished rehabbing his knee injury. His role didn’t change much when Heiskanen returned. An all-situations guy, Harley led all skaters league-wide in minutes played through the first two rounds.
At just 23, he’s starting to carve out a spot among the top defenders in the league, after just two full NHL seasons.
“I didn’t even know who he was, really, when I got here last year,” said Stars center Matt Duchene, who arrived in the fall of 2023. “Knew he was a tall, lanky defenseman who wore No. 55, but immediately, you’re like ‘Holy. This guy is very good.’ ”
Drafted 18th overall in 2019, Harley made his NHL debut in the 2020 playoff bubble, getting into one game on the Stars’ road to the Stanley Cup final. He spent most of the next three seasons in the AHL with the Texas Stars, but was called up in the spring of 2023. And after dressing for all 19 Dallas playoff games before falling to the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2023 conference final, he never looked back.
According to Duchene, the 6-foot-3 Harley came back bigger and stronger this season.
“Good weight, because he’s a string bean,” Duchene said. “He puts on some bulk, and all of a sudden, he looks bigger out there. He looks more like a man – you know, he’s still young, right? And he’s playing more like a man every day.”
Harley may not have been a household name among fans, but Hockey Canada had him on speed dial when the flu started to take its toll on the team’s roster at the 4 Nations Face-Off last February. As a last-minute replacement, Harley capably subbed for Norris Trophy winner Cale Makar in Canada’s round-robin game against the United States – and maintained his composure during what might have been one of the wildest hockey games of all-time.
Then, he replaced Josh Morrissey in Canada’s finale win, assisting on Nathan MacKinnon’s game-opener and logging nearly 22 minutes of ice time.
No big deal.
“His disposition’s hilarious,” Duchene said. “He’s just very, very calm. Nothing bothers him. He’s just plugging along and doing his thing, and he’s an absolute stud.”
On top of the 4 Nations, Harley’s post-season resume is growing quickly, too.
He was the sixth defenseman selected in 2019, but when the puck drops for Game 1 in Dallas on Wednesday, Harley will be logging his 53rd career playoff game. Next highest from his draft class are Bowen Byram and Philip Broberg, at 27 games each. Kaapo Kakko is the top forward, with 44 games.
Harley’s 24 playoff points also lead his draft class. Cole Caufield is second, with 16, and Byram is the second-place defenseman, with 12.
As Harley continues to demonstrate his growth in these playoffs, don’t be surprised to see him back in the mix for Team Canada when it’s time to name the roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics. And if he’s challenging Heiskanen for top spot in the Stars’ D-corps — well, that’s a good problem for coach Peter DeBoer to have.
“He’s a No. 1 D-man in this league,” Duchene said. “We’re lucky to have two of them with him and with Miro. It’s going to be really fun to watch him and what he can do in this league, and he’s doing it already.”
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Stars Insider provides insights on Dallas's lineup heading into Western Conference Finals
As the Dallas Stars prepare for a rematch with the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Finals, we spoke with team insider Taylor Newby for her take on the series and potential betting angles.
Dallas is making its third straight trip to the Conference Finals, looking to shake off back-to-back losses to Edmonton last year and Vegas the year before. With redemption on the line, Taylor gave us her thoughts on what to expect this time around.
All betting lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.
More NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs: Betting Odds For the Conference Finals
It's hard to pick anyone other than the current playoff leader in goals right now with Mikko Rantanen. The Finnish superstar has shined since joining the Stars and has exploded over the past few games with nine goals and ten assists for 19 points through 11 playoff games before being held off the board over the final two games versus Winnipeg.
"The obvious answer to me is Mikko Rantanen although it felt like he cooled off as the series went on but it did seem like Winnipeg was all over him," "I also think it could be the other Finns on that line, Roope Hintz & Mikael Granlund, that whole line seems to be unstoppable and is stepping up in each other's absence."- Newby on Rantanen and Stars' top line
Edmonton fans will believe their 52-goal scorer in Leon Draisaitl will be the man but there's a fairly wide gap in goaltending. Rantanen has 27 points, including 13 goals in last 25 games versus Oilers and will continue his success against Stuart Skinner, who has a .898 save percentage over 28 starts in the last two postseasons. His 2.55 goals against average during this span seems to be more indicative of overall team play rather than Skinner himself.
More NHL: Hurricanes Insider Gives Best Bets For Eastern Conference Finals versus Florida Panthers
The Oilers have gotten way more out of their current bottom six forwards with 19 goals compared to just six from Dallas's bottom six. If the Stars want to win this series they will need this group to start producing with Evgenii Dadonov being one of the prime suspects for a bounce back according to Newby.
"After game six, It seemed like he had multiple high-danger chances while somehow having no shots on goal."- Newby said on Dadonov
Dadonov has been very serviceable for Dallas in the past with 21 points over 48 playoff games as a member of the Stars. His line with captain Jamie Benn and centre Oskar Back, who hasn't scored once yet, will need to get going and I believe it'll result in at least one goal for Dadonov.
This pick I agree with as Newby believes Johnston has been "Snake-bitten" when it comes to finding the back of the net this postseason with four goals through 13 playoff games. The 22-year-old star forward has gone without a point in four of the last five games and is due for a breakout versus a team he excels against in the Oilers.
"We all know Mr. Game 7 is not scared of the big moments so it just seems like the pucks will not fall in," "I think both Wyatt and [Matt] Duchene have been doing the right things but pucks have not been going in for them. Hopefully both of them finally get one so they can start rolling and get some confidence back in their game."- Newby on Wyatt Johnston and Matt Duchene both being due for goals
More NHL: Veterans First: NHL Insiders Pick Players Who Deserve Cup First From Each Contender
Duchene has some tough betting lines to get in on at the price tag plus he age may be starting to show at 34 years old but I do expect Johnston to certainly get a pair of goals if not more after recording five goals and two assists for seven points over his last eight games versus the Oilers.
In their series last postseason, he scored goals in three of the six games versus Edmonton and should be able to produce again especially as he's due with one goal in his last six games heading in.
Max Pacioretty had no answer when asked whether he'd like to play in the NHL for another season.
It was a strenuous year for the 36-year-old forward. He dealt with injuries throughout the year, the most recent being in February, which kept him out of the Toronto Maple Leafs' lineup until Game 3 against the Ottawa Senators.
"The team was really, really hot going into playoffs, so I kind of found myself on the outside looking in," Pacioretty said during Tuesday's locker cleanout day.
"I just felt really good about my game coming into the playoffs. I know it wasn't perfect the first handful, first few games or so, but I just had the resources here to really feel like I can contribute when I came in. I'm definitely thankful for all the help I got in that department."
Pacioretty had two massive goals for Toronto in the playoffs. He had the series-clinching marker against the Senators in Game 6, and the insurance goal in Game 6 of the second round against the Florida Panthers to force a do-or-die Game 7.
He finished the playoffs with eight points—three goals and five assists—in 11 playoff games, the fourth-most points on the Maple Leafs, behind Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander.
"I came here to try and win the ultimate prize, and it's one game that gets you to move on, but clearly not satisfied with that game at all. That part is very disappointing," the veteran forward added. "But you live and you learn, and thankful that I got an opportunity to chase my dream."
After playing just 52 games throughout two seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals, because of two Achilles tendon injuries, Pacioretty got another chance in Toronto. And while that opportunity was exciting, the forward didn't have his family around for most of the year.
That, plus a few mid-season injuries, made this season wearing.
There were moments throughout the year when Pacioretty's wife and their five children visited Ford Performance Centre to watch the Maple Leafs practice. At some points, even his kids joined their father on the ice following a skate.
As Pacioretty glances into the future, his playing career hangs in the balance. He was unsure if he'd play another NHL game, and it didn't seem as though he'd be returning to Toronto if he was to return for another year.
"This year was very difficult for me, being away from my family. I'm really excited to just get home and be with them, and talk to them about what's next in life," Pacioretty said. "But in terms of playing, that's difficult to answer right now."
If Pacioretty's career is, in fact, over, it was a mesmerizing one. Drafted 22nd overall by the Montreal Canadiens in 2007, Pacioretty captained the team from 2015 to 2018. He was then traded to the Vegas Golden Knights, playing there for four seasons.
Pacioretty then played parts of two seasons with the Hurricanes and Capitals before signing a one-year contract with the Maple Leafs, where he wore the historic number 67 proudly. It might not have brought him the luck he had hoped, but Pacioretty should be proud of how he handled the hurdles of this season.
And his entire career.
Max Pacioretty: Mr. Game 6.
From beginning under the bright lights in Montreal to potentially finishing under the magnifying glass of Toronto, if this is how Pacioretty rides off into the sunset, it'll be a career people will remember with ebullience.
"It's a privilege to play under pressure, and you probably don't realize that when you're in it or when you're younger, but it's a privilege to have this many people care about how we do and I certainly never felt this way early on in my career, but it kind of builds winners and turns you into men and helps you achieve who you're ultimately trying to become," Pacioretty said.
"I have been there before, and it makes me realize that I don't have regrets with how I've handled it in the past, but I do know that adversity and going through that amount of pressure kind of built me into the person and the player that I am today, and I'm thankful for it."
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