It’s been a little over two weeks now since Ken Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens stole the show at the NHL draft when they traded picks 16th and 17th overall, plus Emil Heineman, for top-pairing defenseman Noah Dobson.

Even better, it was a sign-and-trade deal, meaning the Canadiens now have eight years of Dobson at $9.5 M AAV, an amount which is inferior to what the player was reported to be asking from the New York Islanders.

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In a recent interview with RG.org, Isles’ number one netminder, Ilya Sorokin, mentioned that he was surprised Dobson was traded, but added that the salary cap does force teams to make tough decisions.

For the netminder, it was clear that with their cap situation, the Long Island outfit had to make a choice; they couldn’t keep Dobson and former Canadiens’ defenseman Alexander Romanov, who’s a good friend of his.

He mentioned to RG.org that Romanov has grown and matured a lot, and that his hard work earned him his new eight-year, $6.25 M AAV contract. Considering Romanov was already a hard worker when he played in Montreal a few years ago, that’s not hard to imagine at all. The Russian blueliner was always the first player on the ice in Brossard and trained with a smile every day, a contagious attitude that makes for a good leader.

Back to Dobson, Sorokin adds that the PEI native got a good deal with the Canadiens and that he wishes him nothing but the best. The goalkeeper also mentioned former Habs netminder and now Isles’ coach Patrick Roy in the interview, explaining that the goaltending legend doesn’t usurp the role of his goaltending coach. Roy only gave goaltending advice a couple of times throughout the year.

With Romanov, Heineman, and Jonathan Drouin now playing for New York, Roy coaching the team, and Mathieu Darche being hired as the GM, the Islanders have got themselves quite a former Canadiens contingent. Will the Islanders become the Quebecers’ second team like in the good old Mike Bossy days? It remains to be seen.

Photo credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

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After not being re-signed by the New Jersey Devils this summer, Daniel Sprong remains an unrestricted free agent (UFA). This comes after the 28-year-old winger posted two goals, seven points, and a minus-1 rating in 30 NHL games split between the Vancouver Canucks, Seattle Kraken, and Devils this past season. He also had 11 goals and 25 points in 19 AHL games with the Coachella Valley Firebirds in 2024-25. 

Now, after a tough 2024-25 season, Sprong is reportedly on the radar of two KHL clubs. According to Sport-Express’ Mikhail Zislis, CSKA Moscow and Avangard Omsk are both interested in Sprong. 

It is not hard to understand why these two KHL clubs reportedly have Sprong on their radar. While he had a down year in 2024-25, Sprong has had offensive success at the NHL level in a bottom-six role in the past.

Just back in 2023-24 with the Detroit Red Wings, Sprong recorded 18 goals and 43 points in 76 games. This was after he set career highs with 21 goals and 46 points in 66 contests with the Kraken in 2022-23. Thus, he certainly could have success in the KHL if he decides to sign overseas. 

While Sprong is generating interest from overseas, the possibility of him staying in North America still should not be ruled out. The 28-year-old winger could be a decent pickup for an NHL team looking for depth offensive production if he bounces back. Thus, this could be enough for an NHL club to take a chance on him with a one-year, prove-it deal, but time will tell what happens on that front. 

In 11 regular-season games with the Devils after being acquired from Seattle at this past deadline, Sprong recorded two assists. He zero points and a minus-1 rating in one post-season game for the Devils this year. 

Ex-Devils First-Round Pick Traded To CanucksFormer

Photo Credit: © Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

The Buffalo Sabres announced that they will host the 2025 Prospects Challenge at the LECOM Harborcenter from September 11th to 15th. The tournament will feature youngsters from the Sabres, Boston Bruins, Columbus Blue Jackets, New Jersey Devils, and Pittsburgh Penguins, with only the Ottawa Senators not returning to the lineup from last season. 

The roster for the tournament will not be released until September, but it will likely include most of the 2025 draft class, including first round selection Radim Mrtka, who is slated to play for the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds next season, as well as 2024 top pick Konsta Helenius.

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First-rounders Ryan Johnson (2019), Isak Rosen (2021), and Noah Ostlund could participate, since they did not see significant playing time in the NHL last season, but a number of the club’s prospects (Adam Kleber, Brodie Ziemer, Luke Osburn, Jake Richard) who took part in the club’s development camp earlier this month, will not be available due to them being collegiate prospects.   

Schedule

Thursday, September 11

New Jersey vs. Columbus, 7 p.m.

Friday, September 12

Pittsburgh vs. Boston, 3:30 p.m.

New Jersey vs. Buffalo, 7 p.m.

Saturday, September 13

Columbus vs. Buffalo, 7 p.m.

Sunday, September 14

Boston vs. New Jersey, 12 p.m.

Columbus vs. Pittsburgh, 3:30 p.m.

Monday, September 15

Pittsburgh vs. Buffalo, 12 p.m.

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

Bruins announce new jersey numbers for recent free agent signings originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Bruins were one of the busiest NHL teams on Day 1 of free agency.

The team’s moves mostly consisted of signing bottom-six forwards. They also acquired veteran left wing Viktor Arvidsson in a trade with the Edmonton Oilers.

A new group of players means a new set of jersey numbers, and the Bruins announced new digits for seven players on Monday.

• Matej Blumel: 13
• Alex Steeves: 21
• Victor Soderstrom: 29
• Jordan Harris: 43
• Viktor Arvidsson: 71
• Mikey Eyssimont: 81
• Tanner Jeannot: 84

Jeannot will be just the second player in the 100-year history of the franchise to wear No. 84, joining Jarred Tinordi (2021).

Arvidsson has worn No. 33 since 2017 while playing for the Nashville Predators, Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers during that time. But since that number belonged to Bruins legend Zdeno Chara, Arvidsson has picked a new one to begin his Boston career.

“I don’t think I’m gonna touch that number in Boston,” a smiling Arvidsson told reporters during a video conference call on July 1. “We’ll see where I end up. I’m gonna ask my daughters for advice, too.”

The Bruins also announced Monday that defenseman Andrew Peeke had traded his No. 52 to newly signed forward Sean Kuraly. Peeke will wear No. 26 going forward.

Kuraly wore No. 52 during his first stint with the Bruins from 2016-17 through 2020-21.

Looking back at John Gibson's best moments as an NHLer for his 32nd birthday. 

The Red Wings celebrate the birthday of Detroit's newest goaltender in former all-star John Gibson, who turns 32 on Monday. 

HBD, Gibby! 🥳 pic.twitter.com/H5WzazK63r

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 14, 2025

The Pittsburgh native has spent 13 seasons and over 506 appearances with the Anaheim Ducks and during that span has produced some unbelievable moments. We look back at some of his best career highlights so Red Wings fans can get excited about their new starting goaltender.  

Shutouts In NHL and Playoff Debut

Gibson entered the league during the 2013-14 season and made an immidiate impact with an 18-save shutout over the Vancouver Canucks en route to a 3-0 win. He became the youngest goalie to do so since 1985 and would go on to finish the season with a 3-0-0 record, a 1.33 goals against average and a .954 save percentage through three appearances. 

Anahiem would continue on into the playoffs, Gibson again produced another shocking moment when he shutout the LA Kings in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals. Gibson's 28 saves made him just the second NHL goalie ever to post shutouts in both their regular season and playoff debuts since Bruins goaltender Tiny Thompson from the 1930s. Following the win, Kings head coach Darryl Sutter said Gibson was "the best goalie I’ve ever seen."

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500th NHL Game With Anahiem 

Gibson became the first ever Ducks goaltender to reach 500 games, cementing himself as an all-time great in the franchise's history. He backed up the milestone with a massive 26-save performance in a 2‑1 win over the Dallas Stars. Gibson would finish with 506 appearances with the Ducks, managing a 204-217-63 record with a 2.89 goals against average and a .910 save percentage. 

Conference Finals Appearances

Gibson has seen his share of playoff success as he was on a pair of Anahiem teams that made it to the Conference Finals but fell short both times. Back in 2015, the Chicago Blackhawks were a dynasty and Gibson had to do his best to slow down a moving train. The Hawks would go on to win the Stanley Cup but Gibson gave them his best as he started Game 4, where he earned a 5-4 overtime win and followed it up with another overtime win for Game 5 to tighten up the series. 

The Ducks would eventually lose in seven games with Gibson splitting time with Fredreick Andersen with the wins proving Gibson is legit. Fastforward to 2017, the Ducks are back in the picture but now against the Nashville Predators. Gibson would start five of the six games and would be pulled in Game 5 after struggling early on. He would total 13 goals against on 117 shots in a 4-2 series loss. 

His overall playoff numbers currently sit at 11-13 with a 2.80 goals against average and a .912 save percentage. Gibson mentioned in his opening press conference with Detroit that playoffs are his only goal and when getting there, hopefully he can produce the same kind of numbers and help be a difference maker in the Red Wings success.

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