Michael Pezzetta is already showing love to Toronto Maple Leafs fans.

The 27-year-old was spotted hanging out with kids from the Maple Leafs' hockey school earlier his month. Pezzetta, who grew up in the Toronto, Ontario area, spoke, took photos with the children, and even signed each of their Maple Leafs jerseys.

Pezzetta signed a two-year, $1.625 million contract with Toronto as a free agent when free agency opened up on July 1. The annual average value of his contract is $812,500. He's been with the Montreal Canadiens ever since being drafted by them in the sixth round (160th overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft.

In 200 career NHL games with the Canadiens, Pezzetta has 15 goals and 23 assists. He's likely to play a depth role with the Maple Leafs within their bottom six. Pezzetta grew up a Maple Leafs fan, idolizing players such as Mats Sundin and Curtis Joseph, among others.

Ranking Every NHL Arena Media Meal Part 3, No. 9 Through 16 RevealedWelcome to Part 3 of The Hockey News Toronto’s ranking of the media meals that are served around the NHL. This week, we move further down the rankings to look at the teams and venues

"I know my mom's super excited that I get to stay home, it's been a while. And then even all my friends and everybody's like all Leafs fans, just through and through, and they're so excited," Pezzetta said in his first media availability as a Maple Leaf.

"So many people messaged me the last day-and-a-half now, and it's just surreal. Like, to think that it's a possibility I get to put this sweater on, so I'm just really grateful for the opportunity."

Pezzetta, though, isn't the only Maple Leafs player who's visited the kids at Maple Leafs hockey school. Scott Laughton, Bobby McMann, and Morgan Rielly, each of whom is spending a lot of time in Toronto this summer, have also stopped by to take photos at the camp.

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The two-week-long event, held by the Maple Leafs' development team, is "a recreational/beginner level camp that welcomes players of all ability levels. Participants will have fun, step outside their comfort zone, learn and improve upon their hockey skills while also continuing to develop their fundamental movement skills," their website reads.

"Our program is designed to provide young athletes with an all-around professional hockey camp experience both on and off the ice. Off-ice programming includes dryland training, special guest seminars and team building activities."

Other Maple Leafs who've surprised the kids in recent years at the camp are John Tavares, Chris Tanev, Joseph Woll, and former Toronto head coach Sheldon Keefe. The organization has even had Toronto Sceptres forward Emma Maltais as a guest at the camp.

'Looking Forward To Playing A Long Time Here Like (Phil) Kessel': Why Dakota Joshua Will Wear No. 81 With Maple Leafs This SeasonWhen Dakota Joshua puts on a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey for the first time, he'll be wearing a number that many fans are familiar with.

This article originally appeared on The Hockey News: Michael Pezzetta Among Maple Leafs Spotted As Guest At Team's Hockey School This Summer

(Top photo of Pezzetta: @leafsdevelopment / Instagram)

The Colorado Avalanche announced on Friday that they have acquired forward Danil Gushchin from the San Jose Sharks in return for forward Oskar Olausson.

We have acquired Danil Gushchin from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Oskar Olausson.

📰: https://t.co/3FRtzPimZtpic.twitter.com/67mamq9Ujk

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) July 25, 2025

Gushchin, 23, was drafted by San Jose in the 3rd round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, 76th overall.

He made his NHL debut with the Sharks in the 2022-23 season against the Arizona Coyotes. Since then, he's skated in 18 total NHL games, 12 of which came just last season. He cracked the Sharks' opening night roster, playing in all 9 games in October before being sent down to the San Jose Barracuda (AHL). He was called up two more times, once for one game against the Vancouver Canucks in November, then again in April for the last two games of the team's regular season. His only NHL point last season was an assist in a 5-4 OT win against the Utah Mammoth.

The Yekaterinburg, Russia native played 56 regular season games with the Barracuda and totaled 51 points (28g/23a), finishing third on the team in points and second in goals. He earned one point in the form of a goal in four GP in the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs.

Gushchin is a smaller forward, coming into Colorado's system at 5'8", 165 lbs. 

He's a great, tenacious back checker who often almost functions as a third defenseman in transition at times. He takes smart routes to the puck on the forecheck, and he's surprisingly physical for someone his size. He sets up really well by faking a shot or a pass first and then separates by accelerating inside his movements.

- EliteProspects 2020 Draft Guide

As mentioned above, the Avalanche received Gushchin in exchange for Sweden native Oskar Olausson, who was drafted by Colorado 28th overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. During his three years in the Avalanche system, he appeared in four NHL games. In 61 GP with the Colorado Eagles (AHL) this past season, he tallied 26 points (11g/15a).

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With the majority of sought-after players already signed, players are beginning to look at the possibility of joining clubs on professional tryout contract. Usually the hockey version of musical chairs begins in late August or early September with a few weeks to go before training camp opens, but the thin group of free agents may have accelerated players searching for a landing spot. 

According to Mollie Walker of the NY Post, former Buffalo Sabres forward Conor Sheary was the first to agree to a PTO this summer, agreeing to a tryout contract with the NY Rangers. The two-time Stanley Cup winner played 133 games with the Sabres from 2018 to 2020 after playing three seasons in Pittsburgh and winning consecutive championships in 2016 and 2017 under new Rangers coach Mike Sullivan. 

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The Sabres acquired Sheary along with defenseman Matt Hunwick from the Penguins for a conditional draft pick in the summer of 2018, and was traded back to Pittsburgh along with Evan Rodrigues just before the COVID shutdown for Dominik Kahun. The diminutive winger scored in double figures three straight seasons with Washington, but declined the last two years with Tampa Bay. 

Sheary scored four goals in 57 games with the Lightning two years ago, and played most of last season in AHL Syracuse, where he led the Crunch in scoring with 61 points (20 goals, 41 assists) in 59 games.

 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo 

The Buffalo Sabres are facing massive pressure to at least qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in 15 years. But there's intense competition for each and every standings point teams can generate,  and the Sabres' don't benefit by playing in the Atlantic Division -- the most competitive division, in our estimation, in the league. And Buffalo is going to have to get a leg up on more than a few Atlantic rival teams, Tampa Bay included if they really intend to claim a Cup anytime soon.

In the  next day, we'll be finishing up this series on the Sabres' chances against Atlantic teams when we focus on the Toronto Maple Leafs. But in his file, we're talking about a team that is probably a playoff team, but that may find itself sliding past the Sabres in the standings -- the Tampa Bay Lightning:

What's the state of the rivalry between the Sabres and Lightning? And what's likely to happen when these two teams two teams square off this year? These are a couple key questions we've addressed below.

BUFFALO SABRES VS. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

NEW LIGHTNING PLAYERS: Pontus Holmberg, LW

2024-25 SERIES: Sabres 1-2-0, Lightning 2-0-1

2025-26 GAMES AGAINST EACH OTHER:  February 3 at Tampa Bay; February 28 at Tampa Bay; March 8 at Buffalo: April 6 at Buffalo

CAN THE SABRES BEAT THIS TEAM?  The Lightning played well against the Sabres in three games last season, staying undefeated in regulation time in all three games. And this will mark the second consecutive season in which the Sabres and Tampa Bay don't play each other until the second half of the regular season. 

Indeed, four games in two months near the end of the year should make for some compelling hockey. If things go well for the Sabres, they can challenge for fourth place in the Atlantic. And if things don't go well for the Lightning, they could slip out of their second-place finish last season and finish in fourth spot for the second time in three years. That may be all the regression needed by a team to allow the Sabres to vault over them and into a post-season position.

We're certainly not suggesting Tampa Bay will completely collapse next season. There's too much talent there to not be a playoff team. But again, only two years ago, the Bolts finished in fourth spot in the Atlantic with a 45-29-8 record; Tampa Bay climbed two standings spots the following season -- last season -- but they posted only two additional wins in 2024-25. And they haven't done much of anything in terms of trades or free-agency to improve their attack to begin next season.

Know. Your Enemy, Sabres Edition: Ottawa Senators Could Be Standing In Way Between Buffalo, PlayoffsThe Buffalo Sabres happen to play in the NHL's most competitive division, the Atlantic Division, Every one of the Atlantic's eight teams have designs on being a playoff team next season -- and as part of this continuing THN.com series, we're analyzing each of the Sabres' seven divisional rivals to see what chance Buffalo has against each of them.

As that reality settles in, you can see why the margin for error in this Atlantic Division is about as thin as it gets, and that if the Lightning aren't careful -- or if the injury bug tears into Tampa Bay's lineup in a major way -- the Bolts could find themselves on the outside of the playoff picture looking in.

The teams get a fourth game against each other next season, and that final game will come when the Sabres play their fifth-to-last game of the regular season. And both of the two teams' final two games against one another will take place in Buffalo, within about one month of each other near season's end, so we're looking at a few possibilities for that final game:

Possibility Number One: The Sabres Have Vaulted Over Tampa Bay

This possibility would see Buffalo fans rocking and rolling through the arena, and Tampa Bay in a place it's rarely been -- behind the Sabres in the standings. Buffalo would need to be nearly perfect to be much better than the Lightning. So we're not saying it's a probability. But a possibility? Sure.

Know Your Enemy, Sabres Edition: Will The New-Look Montreal Canadiens Edge Out Buffalo For A Playoff Spot?The Buffalo Sabres are desperate to be a playoff team next season -- but they're in the NHL's toughest division -- the Atlantic Division. And their games against Atlantic teams will be crucial to help decided whether or not they'll be a playoff team next year. As such, we're analyzing Buffalo's chances against each Atlantic team in a THN.com series; We started alphabetically with the Boston Bruins, then turned our attention to the Detroit Red Wings, followed by the defending Stanley Cup-champion Florida Panthers.

Possibility Number Two: The Sabres And Lightning Are Both Good, And Still One Of Them Aren't In The Playoffs

This possibility would also provide tons of drama. Both fan bases would have meaningful hockey to enjoy down the stretch, and they'd be raising the bar for Atlantic teams as other Atlantic teams make their own push for post-season action.

Possibility Number Three: The Lightning Are Well Ahead Of Buffalo, And The Sabres Are Basically Out Of It

Let's not focus too much on this possibility. But suffice to say, Western New York hockey fans are going to be irate if the playoff drought reaches 15 years. And that goes double if the Sabres don't even come close to challenging for a playoff berth. The potential for it getting really ugly is considerable for the Sabres, but if they can take three of four against the Lightning, suddenly they could conceivably be a team that rises higher in the standings.

The two teams won't see one another until February, but let's never forget the NHL trade deadline's impact on the standings: teams like the Bolts and Sabres could look considerably different between their games prior to the deadline and the games they play after the deadline.

Know Your Enemy, Sabres Edition: Does Buffalo Have Any Hope Of Beating The Defending Stanley Cup-Champion Panthers?The Buffalo Sabres are under massive pressure to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in 15 years. To do so, they're going to have to make the most of their games with their Atlantic Division rivals. And in this continuing THN.com series, we're analyzing Buffalo's chances against each of their seven Atlantic rivals.

The Lightning have a chance to contend for top spot in the Atlantic, but if the hockey gods aren't kind to them, that could spell the difference between missing and making the playoffs. And Tampa Bay wouldn't be the first team to crumble under the weight of expectation. There's a way this all lines up in a row in the Sabres' favor to rise as high as third in the Atlantic, but it's going to take just about every element clicking at the right time. And a team like Tampa Bay will have to fall off to open up that spot in the division.

And if that doesn't happen for Buffalo, we're most likely going to see the Lightning finishing ahead of them, in the regular-season and playoffs, as is usually the case.

The Anaheim Ducks have missed the playoffs every year since 2017-18 and in doing so, have drafted in the top ten for seven consecutive seasons and procured one of the NHL’s deepest and most potent prospect pools.

Despite several young players having graduated and become full-time NHLers, such as Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Mason McTavish, Pavel Mintyukov, and Olen Zellweger, the Ducks still have an impressive pipeline of potential impact and depth prospects yet to make the jump.

Can ‘Rangers West’ Help Get the Ducks Back Into the Playoffs?

Lukas Dostal: Increased Pressure, Journey from 'No-Name Goalie' to Paid Among NHL Elite

For this exercise, only players who haven’t lost rookie status are eligible for a ranking, and to be clear, these are my (Patrick Present) subjective rankings.

Honorable Mentions: Yegor Sidorov, Herman Traff, Tarin Smith, Lasse Boelius, Calle Clang

Top Ten:

10. Nathan Gaucher, 21, C, San Diego Gulls (AHL)

9. Ian Moore, 23, RHD, San Diego Gulls (AHL)

8. Sasha Pastujov, 22, W, San Diego Gulls (AHL)

7. Tomas Suchanek, 22, G, San Diego Gulls (AHL)

6. Eric Nilson, 18, C, Michigan State University (NCAA)

Just outside of top-five prospects in the Ducks organization, and coming at number six is a true two-way center selected in the most recent NHL Entry Draft (45th overall in 2025): Eric Nilson.

Nilson comes from an NHL family, as his father, Marcus, is a former first-round pick (20th in ’96) of the Florida Panthers who had a long professional career, playing nine years in the NHL, two in the AHL, ten in the SHL, and a year in the KHL.

“He reminds us a lot of William Karlsson at the same age,” Ducks assistant general manager and director of amateur scouting Martin Madden said of Eric Nilson. “Really smart, really competitive, great skill, great edge work, he’s also 165 pounds. So he’s got some work to do in the gym, and he understands that, and that’s why he’s taking the path to go to Michigan State.

“He wanted to get the best program off the ice. That was his focus, and we kind of agree. He’s going to a great spot for him. He’s a good two-way player. He’s the first off the bench on the PK, he’s on the first power play unit for the national team. He’s a hockey player.”

Nilson is as detail-oriented and high-motor as an 18-year-old center gets, drawing comparisons to some of the NHL’s top 200-foot centers like the aforementioned Karlsson, Jake Evans, and Mikael Backlund.

With the puck on his stick, he displays plus-vision as well as an effortlessly quick release, and away from the puck, he’s always in a fundamentally sound defensive position to win a battle should an attack break down.

He stands at only 6-foot and 165 pounds, so to this point, his ability to win board battles has come purely from technique and proper engagement with an active stick, as well as the knowledge to engage through opponents’ hands.

Nilson is an effortlessly terrific skater in small areas, utilizing perfect edges to become as shifty as possible, but could afford to gain power in his straight-line stride.

He’d played the majority of the last two seasons in Sweden’s J20 Nationell division. Most recently, in 2024-25 with Djurgardens IF, where he scored 38 points (12-26=38) in 37 games and added 13 points (6-7=13) in nine playoff games.

His hockey IQ has far exceeded that of most in his age group, but his body will need to catch up desperately. He will make the jump to North America in 2025-26 to play for loaded and young Michigan State University team in the NCAA, where a college hockey schedule should allow him to be in the gym as much as possible, as teams typically only play games on weekends and will only play roughly 35-40 in total.

Nilson is likely several years from making any impact at the NHL level. Still, his defensive prowess, shift-by-shift habits, and work ethic alone will pencil him in for at least 100 NHL games in his career, and if he hits that number, the Ducks made a tremendous selection in the second round.

Anything and everything exceeding that 100-game mark would be icing on the cake, with the smart money being on him achieving that and becoming an effective two-way middle-six forward who can become a quality penalty killer.

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Photo Credit: Derek Lee-The Hockey News

Welcome back to The Hockey News - Vancouver Canucks site’s Coaches as Players series. Last time, we looked at defensive coach Kevin Dean’s Stanley Cup and Calder Cup-winning career with the New Jersey Devils, Atlanta Thrashers, Dallas Stars, and Chicago Blackhawks. This time around, we’ll be looking at Brett McLean’s time with the Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, and Florida Panthers. 

Despite never playing for them at the NHL level, McLean was originally drafted by the Stars. Selected 242nd overall in 1997, the center went to the Stars in the ninth round of the draft. Originally from Comox, BC, McLean played for the Kelowna/Tacoma Rockets of the WHL for five seasons, before being moved to the Brandon Wheat Kings. He spent 1999 to 2002 with four different teams — the Saint John Flames (AHL), Johnstown Chiefs (ECHL), Cleveland Lumberjacks (IHL), and Houston Aeros (AHL). 

McLean made his NHL debut on December 10, 2002, playing for the Blackhawks against the New York Islanders in a 3–2 win for his team. His next game was a 4–3 win the day after against the New York Rangers. These were his only two NHL games of the season, however, as he spent the bulk of the year with the Norfolk Admirals of the AHL. With the Admirals, he scored 23 goals and 38 assists in 77 games. 

In the 2003–04 season, McLean carved out a more permanent spot with the Blackhawks, skating in 76 games and spending only four with the Admirals. This season indicated the start of what would be a solid, consistent NHL career (ignoring the lockout of 2004–05). He nabbed his first career NHL goal in his first game of the 2003–04 season on October 16 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Only three games later, he posted a two-goal effort against the San Jose Sharks. McLean finished the season with 11 goals and 20 assists.

As mentioned before, due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout, McLean and the rest of the league were forced to play elsewhere. While some pushed for AHL roster spots, McLean went to Sweden, where he played with the Malmö Redhawks of Elitserien. In 38 games, he scored seven goals and six assists as well as tallied 102 PIMs. In the Kvalserien SHL (a round-robin tournament used to determine whether the club would qualify to play in the SHL the next season), McLean tallied a goal and an assist in nine games. 

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After the lockout, McLean joined the Avalanche for the first of two seasons during his career. He played a full 82-game season, scoring nine goals and 31 assists in this span of time. In Colorado’s conference semifinal loss, McLean played in eight games and tallied one assist. The season after, he scored 15 goals and 20 assists in 78 games. Since he joined the Avalanche in the 2005–06 season and left after the 2006–07 season, McLean just missed current Canucks head coach Adam Foote during his own NHL playing career. 

In 2007–08, McLean moved on to the Panthers organization. In his first year with the team, he scored 14 goals and 23 assists in 67 games played, making this his most offensively-productive NHL season in his career in terms of his average point production pace. The year after, he posted seven goals and 12 assists in 80 games played in what would be the last NHL season of his career. 

From then on, McLean headed back to Europe to round out his playing career, save for a 36-game stint with the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL in 2011–12 in which he scored seven goals and 14 assists. Aside from that, he primarily played in Switzerland with SC Bern (2009–2011) and HC Lugano (2011–2015), as well as in Austria with Black Wings Linz (2015–2017). He also represented Team Canada at the Spengler Cup five different times, winning once in 2012. 

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Okay, so the schedule has been released, and news drops have died down. Aside from a couple of signings, a few extensions, and decisions made to fill out coaching staffs, it's been a quiet summer for the Colorado Avalanche.

With that, you asked and I answered. Let's get into the mailbag:

Can we expect 30 goals from Lehkonen this year? - @partialbreakpod on X

I think if you get Artturi Lehkonen fresh out of the gate, as opposed to his season debut on November 5th last season, 30 goals is absolutely and easily attainable for him. 

He underwent shoulder surgery in the summer of '24 following an incredible 11-game postseason run, where he collected six goals and five assists.

First shift of Game 1 against Dallas, Lehkonen went to the bench in a lot of pain after this play. I remember him talking to the trainer for about three minutes. This could be where his shoulder injury occurred. pic.twitter.com/rqPa8lqqau

— Evan Rawal (@evanrawal) May 23, 2024

In saying that, not many athletes can undergo a significant offseason surgery and a rigorous rehabilitation routine, then return to put on a career season. Lehkonen did that last season, putting up a career-high 27 goals and totalling 45 points in 69 games.

Upon returning, Lehkonen immediately found a fairly permanent spot next to Nathan MacKinnon on the first line, a step up from his steady second-line presence in the 2023-24 season. Playing next to one of the best players in the NHL can work wonders for a player's numbers, and Lehkonen reaped the benefits of that last season, especially where his goal count is concerned. Based on early lineup projections, it looks like he'll be maintaining his spot on the first line this upcoming 2025-26 season.

The thing to keep an eye on here will be just exactly how many games he dresses for this season. If he can eclipse 70 games played this upcoming season, I expect Lehkonen to become a 30-goal scorer for the first time in his NHL career.

How do you see the Avs working the power play with MacKinnon and Necas both preferring to set up in the left faceoff circle? Who takes over for Mikko/Drouin on the right side? - @AvsCanesFan on X

What the Avalanche could really benefit from on their power play is a dynamic, puck-moving forward. Good thing they have two in both Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas.

The entire power play setup last season was incredibly stagnant, including, strangely enough, MacKinnon, who is usually known for his ability to create space and move the puck well with his speed thanks to his speedy crossovers. Necas is known for having a lot of confidence, speed, and agility in the o-zone as well.

You're a wizard, Marty 🪄#GoAvsGopic.twitter.com/dxFaLopT7Z

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) February 7, 2025

In this situation, I'm more inclined to let Nathan MacKinnon do his thing (and potentially encourage him to create a little movement on that left side) while also encouraging Necas to put his agility to use.

With Dave Hakstol taking over for former assistant coach Ray Bennett on structuring the power play this year, the hope is that they will benefit from a fresh voice on the ice. Personally, I'd be interested in seeing them take a page out of the Edmonton Oilers' book. McDavid is known as a dynamic forward with the ability to move the puck and set up his teammates from anywhere. If any player can recreate that, I'd love to see it be Necas.

 Now, in regards to who occupies the right side where Rantanen, then Drouin - and occasionally Lehkonen - usually played on PP1, they might have to get a little creative. 

As a whole, to put it bluntly, both units of the power play sucked last year, especially in the postseason. Their inability to capitalize on the man-advantage is arguably what lost Colorado their series against Dallas. If they stick to the 1-3-1 formation they've run the last few years, Nelson would be the ideal substitution here. His vision offensively mixed with his ability to hit one-timers accurately and effectively would be a lethal addition to the ideal overall vision for this first unit.

But... If I'm Hakstol, I'm also wondering if I can shake up the plan enough to give Lehkonen another shot on PP1, given the chemistry he and MacKinnon have developed on a line together in the last year. If they move away from a 1-3-1 formation, I can see his grit and prominent finishing ability making him a worthy addition to the top unit as well.

Odds that Necas walks back to Carolina (we miss him) - @josh_holdner98 on X

Josh, as much as I hate to, I might break your heart here.

In my eyes, the chances of Martin Necas heading back to the team that drafted him is slim to nil.

The main reason why: he and Rod Brind'Amour couldn't exactly see eye to eye on how he would be utilized in the lineup.

Rumors Are Circulating Around Martin Necas and a Potential TradeIt's officially summer, folks.

Necas and MacKinnon complement each other too well for the Avalanche not to explore every possible - but reasonable - avenue to hold onto him for the foreseeable future. He's no Mikko Rantanen, but for what he can provide on the ice, I think he could be a talented, affordable option for the top line, considering some of the wingers on the market come 2026 free agency who may also be looking for payraises (Jason Robertson, anybody?).

The trick is finding a number that both Necas' camp and the Avalanche front office can agree on, but that's a debate for a different article.

What exactly is going on with the [Utah] Grizzlies situation, have they renewed affiliation and what's going to happen with them being sold at the end of the upcoming season? - @darksistervis on X

On June 22nd, the Utah Grizzlies announced that due to a "period of transition" with ownership, the team is exploring a potential sale of the team, which could result in a relocation of the franchise.

A message to our devoted fans 💚 pic.twitter.com/r0IFfK5V1M

— Utah Grizzlies (@UtahGrizzlies) June 23, 2025

Based on the above press release, it seems like the team is preparing for a move in location and ownership, giving fans one last hoorah in the Maverik Center this upcoming 2025-26 season.

Now, this isn't to say that the Avalanche will lose their ECHL affiliate. The way I see it, that all depends on where the new potential buyers want to put it... and if they decide to move forward with the current ownership group and find some way to make things work in West Valley City.

This isn't to say that the Avalanche will maintain the affiliation, either, and could become one of just two teams without a deal with an ECHL club. The only other two NHL clubs that would benefit the organization moving closer to them would be the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Ottawa Senators, who each do not currently have an ECHL affiliate.

I did reach out to the organization to see if they had any updates on advancements on this, but I haven't heard anything in response at the time of publishing this. My best advice is to keep an eye on the Utah Grizzlies account on X for any official updates, my own X account, where I will report any updates, or here at The Hockey News, where any news that unfolds will break.

Are there any plans to celebrate the team’s 30th season in CO. They did cool logos and center ice designs for 10, 20, and 25 but radio silence on this year? - @iceisnice303 on X

While details are still hush-hush, I did get confirmation from the Avalanche that they WILL be celebrating their 30th anniversary this year.

From what I'm told, fans can expect an official announcement sometime in August. 

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(Header/feature image courtesy of Sergei Belski-Imagn Images)

When the Philadelphia Flyers acquired goaltender Dan Vladar from the Calgary Flames this offseason, the move registered as more of a soft rumble than a seismic jolt. Vladar, 27, has largely flown under the radar in a backup role behind Jacob Markström and, more recently, Dustin Wolf. But the Flyers saw something worth investing in—a still-developing goalie with untapped upside, prototypical size, and the kind of technical base that can be molded into something more under the right guidance.

Flyers also announce that they have signed goalie Dan Vladar to a 2-year contract with a $3.35 million AAV.

— Siobhan Nolan (@SGNolan) July 1, 2025

That guidance, in Philadelphia, will come from Kim Dillabaugh—a holdover from John Tortorella’s coaching staff and a coach with a quiet but substantial reputation for refining goalies’ mechanics, consistency, and confidence. And if there's a path forward for Vladar to evolve from a platoon option into a legitimate tandem partner—or more—it runs through Dillabaugh’s tutelage and a clearer sense of identity in the Flyers’ evolving crease.

By the Numbers: The Vladar Profile

Vladar’s career numbers don’t leap off the page, but they also deserve context. Through 105 NHL games, he’s posted a .895 save percentage and a 3.00 goals-against average, but much of that sample came in inconsistent usage patterns. The 2024–25 season, his best stretch to date, saw him put up a .898 SV% in 30 games—not staggering, but far from catastrophic.

His underlying numbers paint a more nuanced picture. In limited stretches, Vladar has graded out as an average or slightly below-average goaltender in goals saved above expected (GSAx), a metric that accounts for shot quality. He tends to struggle against lateral attacks and broken plays—think royal-road passes, rebounds, and slot-line one-timers—but shows poise and economy against straight-line rushes and point shots.

Not on Dan Vladar's watch! 🙅‍♂️

He stopped every single shot sent his way for his first @pepsi shutout of the season! pic.twitter.com/vbbWDTjtHX

— NHL (@NHL) November 2, 2024

At 6-foot-5, Vladar is a large goaltender who doesn’t need to over-challenge to fill the net, but he often does. One of the knocks on his game is that he can be overly aggressive in his positioning, which leaves him vulnerable to backdoor passes and dekes in tight. When his reads are clean and his movement is compact, he looks like a starting goalie. When he’s chasing the game—particularly in scramble scenarios—he can look overwhelmed and out of sync.

Strengths: Athleticism, Size, and Rebound Control

Let’s start with the positives. Vladar’s size and athleticism are legitimate NHL-caliber traits. He moves well for his frame, and when he trusts his angles, he can appear calm and controlled in net. His glove hand is solid, and his rebound control has improved significantly over the past two seasons. He does a good job of deadening shots into his chest and directing low shots to the corners, limiting second-chance chaos.

On film, one of Vladar’s biggest strengths is how well he reads point shots through traffic. He has an upright stance that allows him to see over screens and, when he's tracking well, he’s difficult to beat cleanly from distance. That matters in a Flyers system that emphasizes net-front defense and shot blocking but still gives up volume.

He’s also shown flashes of above-average puck handling—he’s not quite a third defenseman like Devon Levi or Mike Smith in his prime, but he can assist in breakouts and dump-ins, which is a valuable tool in Tortorella’s transition-conscious system.

Weaknesses: East-West Movement and Game Management

Vladar’s primary areas of concern lie in his lateral movement and recovery tracking. When forced to move laterally in the crease—especially against quick puck movement—he can lag a half-second behind the play. This leads to desperation saves, or worse, overcommits that leave the net exposed. His post integration on wraparounds and low plays is still inconsistent, which is particularly notable given the growing league-wide emphasis on low-to-high puck movement and short-side attacks.

Another area where he can improve is game management. Vladar sometimes loses his technical structure during long defensive-zone shifts. Instead of staying within himself and trusting his positioning, he’ll overreact to screens or bite too hard on initial puck movement. These issues can compound into snowball periods—stretches where he’ll allow two or three quick goals and struggle to reset mentally.

This is precisely where Kim Dillabaugh’s influence could be transformative.

The Dillabaugh Effect

If there’s one consistent hallmark of Dillabaugh’s coaching tenure in Philadelphia and Los Angeles before that, it’s this: he builds goaltenders from the inside out. Technical discipline, mental resilience, and routine management are his calling cards.

Flyers goalies past 9 games (since Sam Ersson last played):
Ivan Fedotov: 3-1-1, 2.91, .901
Aleksei Kolosov: 3-1-0, 2.25, .913
Asked John Tortorella how much credit should go to goalie coach Kim Dillabaugh for the work with 2 rookie goalies, both of whom struggle with English pic.twitter.com/0LFX66SrUb

— Adam Kimelman (@NHLAdamK) December 1, 2024

Consider what he's done with Sam Ersson, whose positioning and rebound control have quietly evolved into a foundational strength over the last year, especially in the context of having a suddenly intense workload with—through no fault of Ersson's—inadequate preparation to handle it all.

For Vladar, Dillabaugh’s value could lie in two core areas:

1. Pace Control and Poise – Helping Vladar rely less on raw athleticism and more on proper positioning. That means fewer over-challenges, less wasted movement, and a better read-react rhythm.
2. Post Play and Recovery Structure – Refining his RVH mechanics and post integration could limit short-side leaks and awkward recoveries—areas where Vladar has been exposed at the NHL level.

With Dillabaugh’s guidance, Vladar doesn’t need to become a Vezina finalist. He needs to become more predictable—to his defensemen, to his coaches, and to himself.

The Tandem Question: Can Vladar–Ersson Work?

The Flyers have made it clear: they’re not handing the net to any one goalie in 2025–26. This is a transitional season, a developmental year, and the goal is to see who steps up. Sam Ersson, who carried the load admirably last year, returns with a chance to seize a true 1A role. But he’s not immune to slumps—and the organization would benefit from true internal competition.

Enter Vladar.

For a tandem to work, you need complementary styles and mentalities. Ideally, one goalie provides a safety valve when the other falters. They push each other in practice, support each other off the ice, and offer differing looks in-game.

Vladar and Ersson could provide that blend.

Ersson plays a controlled, economical style—sharp edges, calculated pushes, and sound puck tracking. Vladar is looser, more explosive, and can steal games when he’s dialed in. That contrast can work if both are on the same page with goalie coaching and communication. It’s worth noting that Ersson has thrived under Dillabaugh’s system and might serve as an internal model for Vladar to emulate.

What’s more, both goalies are under contract and relatively inexpensive—allowing the Flyers to evaluate without long-term cap constraints. 

The Ceiling and the Question Ahead

Dan Vladar is not a sure thing just yet. He’s not a young franchise goalie-in-waiting, and he’s never been handed the net for a full season to prove otherwise. But he is a compelling bet—a talented goaltender with room to grow, a manageable contract, and a frame and skill set that could flourish under structured coaching and consistent usage.

And the Flyers don’t need him to be elite. They need him to be stable. They need him to push Sam Ersson, to give them a chance on back-to-backs, and to offer a sense of calm in net. With the right coaching influence and a clearer game plan, Vladar could reach a level he hasn’t yet found.

And if he does? The Flyers may have secured a piece of their future crease—one that arrived without a ton of fanfare, but who could prove essential in the slow, deliberate march back to playoff contention.

Bottom Line

In a league where goalie development is unpredictable and opportunity often outweighs pedigree, Dan Vladar is a bet worth making. And in Philadelphia, where change is the only constant at the moment, he just might find what he’s been missing all along: a system that believes in him and is willing to give him the right opportunities to truly show his stuff.