Revisiting the Senators’ 2022 Draft Class
In 2021, the Ottawa Senators shifted their draft strategy, moving away from rebuilding and towards supplementing their core of Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, Jake Sanderson, Thomas Chabot, and, at the…
Monthly Archives: July 2025
Five NHL Teams With The Longest Competitive Windows
As the NHL continues to evolve with a rising salary cap and a greater emphasis on youth and speed, a team’s window to win can open and close faster than ever.
That makes long-term roster planning more important than ever. Franchises that can secure their core, be conscious of the cap and maintain a steady flow of young talent are better positioned to remain competitive season after season, even as the rest of the NHL evolves.
Five NHL teams, in particular, are built for the long haul. These teams aren’t just competing for a Stanley Cup next season – they structured their rosters with a balance of proven and upcoming young talent signed long-term, giving them the chance to be perennial contenders.
Florida Panthers
It seemed nearly impossible for Florida Panthers GM Bill Zito to lock up Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand as they were all due for significant raises following a second straight Stanley Cup victory. A rising salary cap and a clear desire to win by all of those players helped put together one of the most remarkable off-seasons in the Salary Cap Era.
With Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe, Anton Lundell, Bennett, Marchand, Seth Jones, Ekblad and Gustav Forsling all signed until at least 2030, there isn’t a team that is better constructed for the rest of the decade to consistently challenge for a Stanley Cup.
Sergei Bobrovsky is entering the final season of his contract with a $10-million cap hit. While he would undoubtedly deserve around the same average annual value, this summer is proof that nobody should be surprised if the 36-year-old ends up taking less to help Zito add even more talent to this incredible roster.
In every area of the ice, the Panthers have legitimate star-level talents who have proven to shine in the biggest moments. There’s no reason to believe they won’t stay competitive for a very long time.
Tampa Bay Lightning
While the Tampa Bay Lightning’s reign as back-to-back Stanley Cup champions in 2020 and 2021 may have felt like the end of the story for this core, there are many reasons to believe this group might not be done yet.
Brayden Point, Jake Guentzel, Brandon Hagel, Anthony Cirelli and Yanni Gourde are all under contract for at least the next five seasons. Victor Hedman and Erik Cernak will be leading the defensive core for the next four, and goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy is around for at least the next three seasons.
While Nikita Kucherov’s contract is just two seasons away from expiring, there are no indications that the perennial Hart Trophy candidate has any desire to leave. Why would he want to?
Not only do the Lightning have a core of remarkable forwards, but with no player earning more than $9.5 million per season, GM Julien Brisebois has a ton of flexibility with a rising cap to consistently build around the team’s depth year-over-year.
After trading prospect Isaac Howard this summer, a lack of upcoming prospects could be a cause for concern for this core as years progress, but there’s no doubt the Lightning have the foundation to compete for Stanley Cup championships continuously.
Dallas Stars
While Dallas fans may be disappointed with this Stars core’s inability to get past the Western Conference final over the last three seasons, adding a game-breaking talent, Mikko Rantanen, truly has changed the trajectory of this organization. It really feels like the question is not if, but when the Stars will hoist the Stanley Cup.
Even with Mason Marchment and Logan Stankoven being traded, Jason Robertson being a topic of trade speculation and Jamie Benn nearing the end of his career, the Stars still boast one of the most dangerous cores in the league.
Wyatt Johnston, Roope Hintz, Rantanen, Miro Heiskanen, Esa Lindell and Jake Oettinger are all signed for at least the next five seasons. They also have a mix of younger emerging talent they will likely retain for many years, highlighted by Mavrik Bourque and Thomas Harley.
Harley is obviously at a significantly different point in his development than Bourque as he potentially pushes for a roster spot on Team Canada at the 2026 Olympics. That said, with both players being just 23 years old, they reinforce how dominant the Stars look capable of being for the present and the foreseeable future.
New Jersey Devils
While the New Jersey Devils still need upgrades to truly be considered Stanley Cup contenders, having a core of Jack Hughes, Timo Meier, Jesper Bratt, Dougie Hamilton, Brett Pesce and Johnathan Kovacevic signed for at least three seasons makes it hard to believe they won’t find a way to make a deep run at some point.
That list excludes Nico Hischier, current RFA Luke Hughes and Jacob Markstrom, three integral players who are due for contracts over the next two years. The Devils likely won’t have issues retaining Hischier and Hughes, but they do have an important decision to make regarding Markstrom’s future with the club.
After extending Jake Allen to a five-year deal with a modest $1.8-million cap hit, how much salary and term are they willing to commit to another veteran goaltender in Markstrom? They must decide whether Nico Daws is ready to become a full-time NHL netminder or whether there are alternative options they can target. It’s tough to project, but the Devils’ competitive window will change drastically if they fail to maintain a strong one-two punch in the crease.
Carolina Taking Risk, Setting The Standard With Jackson Blake SigningThe Carolina Hurricanes have become known for thinking outside of the box, doing things their own way and even playing a brand of hockey that is unique to their team. So when they announced the eight-year extension of Jackson Blake, a rookie last year with 34 points in 80 games, there were eyebrows raised throughout the hockey world. When everyone took a step back and broke things down, the deal was viewed as a long-term value play despite the $5.117 AAV.
Carolina Hurricanes
The past few seasons have been a rollercoaster for the Carolina Hurricanes.
With multiple exits in the Eastern Conference final and failing to retain two major rental acquisitions – Guentzel and Rantanen – GM Eric Tulsky has still managed to build this team for long-term success somehow.
The Hurricanes’ homegrown core of Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, Seth Jarvis, Jackson Blake and Jaccob Slavin are all locked up for at least the next seven seasons. Tulsky also brought in Logan Stankoven, Nikolaj Ehlers and K’Andre Miller on long-term deals in the past few months.
Similarly to the Devils, the real question marks come in net, considering Frederik Andersen’s injury history and Pyotr Kochetkov’s unproven track record and struggles in the playoffs. However, the Hurricanes possess so much talent from top to bottom that it’s hard to deny their status as perennial contenders.
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Rangers Prospect Dives Into Big Goals For This Upcoming Season
Brendan Brisson’s life changed when he was traded from the Vegas Golden Knights to the New York Rangers in a deal that included Reilly Smith.
Everyone thinks of this deal from Smith’s point of view, returning to the same team he won a Stanley Cup with just a couple of years ago, but Brisson was a hidden gem in the trade.
The Golden Knights selected Brisson in the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft and over the past couple of seasons, he spent most of his time with the Henderson Silver Knights of the American Hockey League.
The 23-year-old forward admitted that it was a strange transition after the trade.
“It was a little different,” Brisson said about the trade. “Just having been with the same organization for the last five years since I got drafted, midseason too, not like it was in the summer when you get a chance to adjust into camp, it was different.”
Once the initial shock set in, Brisson adapted to his new environment with the Hartford Wolf Pack.
In 16 games, Brisson recorded two goals, four assists, and six points.
“It was great when I got here,” Brisson said. “The whole organization, the staff, the coaches, the players, they welcomed me with open arms and really allowed me to try to get my confidence back. It was a tough year for me, and they were great in that way.”
During the offseason, Brisson signed a one-year contract extension with the Rangers.
His primary goal now is to make a strong impression at training camp and put his best foot forward to make the Rangers’ opening-night roster.
Adam Fox Is The Biggest Winner In The Vladislav Gavrikov SigningThere are a lot of members of the New York Rangers who have to be happy about the Vladislav Gavrikov contract, but there’s one person in particular who should be the most ecstatic.
“Same as everyone, I want to make the team (Rangers) out of camp,” Brisson said of his goals. “I know I can do it, I’ve made an NHL roster before out of camp in Vegas, so just make it to camp and stick. I know what’s going to keep me in the league.
“I learned a lot from last year, and I want to use everything I learned over the summer and into camp. If I do that, I think I’ll be good.”
4 Trade Destinations for Flames Forward Nazem Kadri
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Devils Need Meier & Hughes Chemistry to Maximize Success
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Knights' Coach Dale Hunter Believes Easton Cowan Can Make Maple Leafs Out Of Training Camp
London Knights head coach Dale Hunter believes Easton Cowan has a shot to make the Toronto Maple Leafs out of training camp.
Hunter, currently heading Team Canada at the World Junior Summer Showcase in Minneapolis, Minnesota, spoke with Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning of The Fan Morning Show on Wednesday about Cowan’s final season in junior.
The 20-year-old scored 39 points (13 goals and 26 assists) in 17 OHL playoffs games before going on to win the Memorial Cup with the Knights in early June. Along with finally capturing junior hockey’s biggest prize, Cowan also had the most points in the tournament and was named Memorial Cup MVP.
It was the perfect way for the young forward to cap off a memorable junior career ahead of turning pro this fall. Hunter coached Cowan for all four years of his tenure in the OHL and believes he’s ready to make the Maple Leafs out of training camp.
“He's going to push to make the team and play well for the Leafs,” Hunter told Ennis and Gunning. “Every organization needs young guys pushing to make the team, and it’ll make the Leafs better. I’m betting he's going to make it, so that's a good thing for the Leafs.”
Maple Leafs Risk Major Mistake If Nick Robertson Isn’t Signed Or Traded Before ArbitrationIt should come as no surprise that Nick Robertson’s pending player-elected arbitration case is the last of all cases this offseason to reach a conclusion. After all, Robertson’s tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs has undeniably been complicated. Drafted by the Maple Leafs in the second round (53rd overall) in the 2019 NHL Draft, his six years in Toronto have been filled with more downs than ups.
One challenge Cowan had in training camp last year before being returned to the Knights was eliminating the junior habits in his game. The forward didn’t skate at Toronto’s development camp earlier in July, but he, too, believes his game has grown a lot since last summer.
“This time last year, I wasn’t as good as I am now,” Cowan said. “Just being able to manage the puck better, I’ve learned that a lot this year, and obviously with the Knights organization, they helped me out a lot.
“I felt when games got bigger, I got better. Those are the games I love to play in, when there’s a lot of people watching and there’s high stakes.”
'It's Something I'll Never Forget': Mike Ross Details How He Became The Maple Leafs' PA AnnouncerToronto Maple Leafs public address announcer Mike Ross is entering his 10th season with the club, but there was a time — before he was hired by the team — when he thought his PA announcing career would be over.
That, though, is only one of the challenges that come with reaching the next level. In junior, players are smaller and still developing, whereas in the NHL and AHL, skaters are much stronger and aren’t afraid to be physical with you in any instance.
“It's the best league in the world. And again, they got to be physically ready for it because there's big guys in the National Hockey League and physically they have to be ready for it,” Hunter said. “It's 80-plus games, and it's a grind in there. You just got to be ready every night to perform, be more consistent, and that's what the National Hockey League guys are looking for.”
Maple Leafs' Dakota Joshua Excited To Reunite With Craig Berube As New Chapter BeginsNew Toronto Maple Leafs forward Dakota Joshua is ecstatic to play under Craig Berube again.
Cowan returned to the ice the week following Maple Leafs' development camp and is training at a facility just outside of London, Ontario. He’ll spend time in both London and Toronto — working on adding weight and speed — before remaining in the city for Maple Leafs training camp in September.
“Time will tell. I guess that's the question that we all are asking ourselves,” said Maple Leafs assistant GM, Player Development, Hayley Wickenheiser, of Cowan making the NHL roster. “But my money's on him that he will be fit enough and prepared enough, the experience to be able to step in and play will be — we'll see probably very quickly when (training) camp starts.”
This article originally appeared on The Hockey News: Knights' Coach Dale Hunter Believes Easton Cowan Can Make Maple Leafs Out Of Training Camp
(Top photo of Cowan: David Kirouac / Imagn Images)
How Kirk McLean Sparked a Canucks Playoff March
If you’ve been a Vancouver Canucks fan for any length of time, you’ve probably heard about “The Save.” Maybe you even saw it live—your heart pounding, your hands gripping the…
Robertson Deal, Oilers Midseason Trade, & More NHL Rumors
IN today’s NHL rumors rundown, how much are the Toronto Maple Leafs risking by not getting Nick Robertson signed to an extension before his arbitration hearing on Sunday? Meanwhile, are…
From The Archive: The Big Red Machine (2009)
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Former Red Wings Legend Returns to Pro Hockey at 50Former Red Wings winger Todd Bertuzzi makes return to pro hockey at 50 years old with Cambridge area team.
The Big Red Machine - Jan. 12 2009 - Vol. 62, Issue 14 - Ken Campbell
THINGS ARE NOT SUPPOSED to be this way. As the domestic auto industry finds itself hanging by its fingernails, the gap between the Detroit Red Wings and the rest of the NHL continues to widen.
When THN conducted its first-ever NHL franchise ranking last season, the Red Wings finished ahead of the pack by a considerable margin, then went out and won the Stanley Cup, then signed the most sought-after free agent of the summer after he pursued them. So much for parity in the new salary-capped NHL.
Last season, the Red Wings’ margin of victory in our overall totals was 14.5 points over the Ottawa Senators, but this season they’ve bulged that lead to 21.5 points, this time over San Jose.
Yup, things are looking absolutely rosy for the Red Wings, that is until you step outside the Joe Louis Arena. If the Big Three in Detroit were near as solid and successful as the Wings’ Big Three of Nicklas Lidstrom, Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg, they wouldn’t be on the verge of bankruptcy and holding out their hands for a government bailout. Detroit relies on the auto industry as much as any city does on its main employer and when the defending Cup champions have to sell tickets for some games for as low as nine bucks and still can’t fill the building for all of them, well, these are very difficult times.
What if Pavel Datsyuk Never Left for the KHL?Breaking down what could've happened to the Detroit Red Wings if Pavel Datsyuk didn't leave the NHL back in 2016
There has been enormous amounts of speculation about what would happen to Detroit if one or more of the Big Three was forced to close its doors. It’s a scenario Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch does not want to contemplate.
“I can’t anticipate the automakers not being a part of the Detroit scene – let alone the U.S. economy – and so I don’t even want to speculate on that,” said Ilitch in an email. “I’m hopeful the president and the others in Washington will work with the auto industry to make sure the U.S. keeps a strong manufacturing base at home.”
There are, oh, about 25 other teams who would be doing cartwheels if they had the Wings’ attendance problems – they couldn’t even sell out the building for a Dec. 18 showdown against the Sharks – but their average numbers through 15 contests were still a robust 19,630 per game.
“I would say that given everything that has gone on to this point, we’re thrilled with our support,” said Red Wings GM Ken Holland. “Do I worry about it? Yeah, because I live it every day. I feel for people when I pick up the paper and see people losing their jobs.”
Holland is quick to point out, however, that if the Red Wings played in an 18,000-seat arena, they’d be selling out every game. The Red Wings play in a market where there are professional baseball, basketball and football (well, sort of) teams and huge athletic program at the University of Michigan. They have 3,600 more seats to sell per game than the Edmonton Oilers, “and they only have one team,” Holland said.
Michigan-Based Universities Dominating Recruiting With Top Class of 2025Michigan-based universities have solidified their dominance in the world of college hockey by securing top-tier recruiting classes for 2025, according to recent rankings.
The economy aside, things haven’t looked this good for the Red Wings in some time. Ask any pro scout on the circuit and he’ll tell you the Wings have as many as a half-dozen NHL-caliber players on their minor league roster in Grand Rapids and their stable of young players is solid. They’ve been perennial contenders, dominant in the regular season and very good in the playoffs, have one of the best owners in hockey and the undisputed strongest front office in the game, have drafted and developed players very well and despite the fact they have filled a 20,066-seat rink only eight of 15 games this season, attendance is still a strong point.
Holland attributes some of the Red Wings’ success to luck, but that’s like saying the best poker players in the world somehow get the best cards all the time. The Wings make much of their own luck and their ability to put together a perennial Cup contender is what made Marian Hossa choose them last summer.
The Red Wings rarely sign bad contracts, which gives them flexibility with the salary cap and if they do have to make a trade, it gives them a valuable player and doesn’t force them to trade one headache to acquire another one. At some point in the New Year, Detroit will almost certainly announce it has signed Henrik Zetterberg for the balance of his career.
All of which makes it difficult to believe that the Red Wings will fall from their perch anytime soon. They may not win the Stanley Cup every year, but it’s difficult to believe they’ll fall off the map the way previous finalists such as Carolina, Edmonton, Tampa Bay and Ottawa have.
What Will It Take For Detroit to Be Considered a Cup Contender?Exploring benchmarks the Red Wings must hit if they want to be a Stanley Cup contender next season
Every team in our franchise rankings was graded in nine categories and we concentrated primarily on the seasons spanning from 2002-03 through 2007-08. Our categories are: front office continuity; attendance; regular season finish; ranking in last year’s THN Future Watch; playoff performance; entry draft record; how teams are doing this season; franchise values; and, quality of ownership.
1 FRONT OFFICE CONTINUITY
Sure, you can debate this one. After all, the Nashville Predators have had the same GM and the same coach since they were a cuddly little expansion team and they haven’t won squat.
But we still believe there is a lot to be said for front office stability. Teams earn a maximum of 10 in this category and the Predators, Minnesota and Buffalo did that on the strength they’ve had the same GM and coach the past five seasons.
Teams that had three coaches and/or GMs were awarded eight points; four received five points; five got three points; six received one point; and, Chicago, which has had three GMs and four coaches since 2002-03, received a bagel.
Those who filled in for coaches or GMs on an interim basis were not included in the totals.
2 ATTENDANCE
Attendance is a bit of a mug’s game in the NHL because nobody knows what the actual figures are in many American markets. For example, the Canadiens draw 21,273 for each game and every seat is bought and paid for, but a number of southern U.S. teams have thousands of free giveaways, which inflates numbers.
In this category, teams received a maximum of 10 points based on their attendance figures for this season and the past five seasons.
The points were given for attendance with respect to percentage of capacity of the arena rather than straight attendance numbers. The Edmonton Oilers aren’t penalized for playing in a small building, but the Chicago Blackhawks, who tried until last season to fill the cavernous United Center with a bad team, take a hit here.
Teams averaging 100-percent-or-better capacity received 10 points, something all the Canadian teams but Montreal managed to do, along with the Minnesota Wild and New York Rangers. Those drawing between 98.9 to 99.9 capacity received nine; 96-98.8 received eight; 90-95.9 got seven; 97-89.9 earned six; 84-86.9 received five; 80-83.9 earned four;
and, 70-79 got three.
3 REGULAR SEASON
Yes, it probably has something to do with the fact that for the past three seasons, the Red Wings have hada pretty steady diet of St. Louis, Chicago and Columbus, but we’re very confident the Wings would pile up points no matter which division they inhabited.
As it is, their regular season success over the past half-decade has been nothing short of astounding. The Wings ran away with this category on the strength of capturing three Presidents’ Trophies the past five years and finishing no worse than third overall in any season since 2002-03. How dominant have the Red Wings been in the regular season? Well, consider that their average of 114 points per season is nine points better than second-place Ottawa and Dallas.
The score in this category was determined by teams’ regular season finish in each of the past five seasons. Clubs were assigned a numerical value based on where they ranked in the league each season, earning 30 points for finishing first overall down to one for the 30th-place team. That total was then divided by five to determine average placing per season since 2002-03.
The Red Wings received 30 points for each of their Presidents’ Trophies in 2003-04, ’05-06 and last season, and they earned 28 points for finishing third overall in ’02-03 and 29 for being second in ’06-07. That gave them a total score of 147, which averages out to 29.4, almost five points ahead of the second-place Senators.
For the second straight year, the Blue Jackets pull up the rear with just 5.2 points.
4 FUTURE WATCH
The Phoenix Coyotes didn’t do a very good job of drafting players in the first half of the decade, but things are undoubtedly looking up on that front.
Here at THN, we take a lot of pride in our annual Future Watch issue, which ranks each NHL organization on the quality of its prospects and NHL roster players under the age of 22.
Teams could earn a maximum of 10 points in this category and the Coyotes, Blackhawks and Penguins did just that by being the top three teams in last season’s edition. Teams ranked 4-6 received nine points; 7-9 got eight; 10-12 was worth seven; 13-15 was worth six; 16-18 received five; 19-21 was worth four; 22-24 received three; 25-27 received two; and, 28-30 one point.
So what do the Penguins, Coyotes and Blackhawks have in common? They’ve all had a bevy of high picks in recent drafts.
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Red Wings Likely to Represent their Countries in the OlympicsExamining which Detroit Red Wings will likely make Olympic rosters in 2026
5 PLAYOFF PERFORMANCE
You know there’s parity in the NHL when the team that wins this category has won just one Stanley Cup and has fewer than half the available points in the category.
In this portion, we examined each team’s playoff performance from the spring of 2003 through last season. We awarded 12 points for a Cup; eight for a final appearance; six for making it to the conference final; four for getting into the second round and two for qualifying.
The Anaheim Ducks, with their Stanley Cup and appearance in the final in 2003, took this category with 28 of a possible 60 points.
Since they lost the Cup final to the New Jersey Devils in ’03 (eight points), the Ducks missed the playoffs (zero), lost in the Western Conference final (six), won the Stanley Cup (12) and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs (two). Despite winning the Cup last season (12 points), the Red Wings are two behind the Ducks in this category after losing in the Western Conference final (six), losing in the first round twice (two points each) and losing once in the second round (four).
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Blackhawks, Blue Jackets, Panthers and Coyotes, who kept us from having to use our fingers, an abacus or any other calculating device by missing the playoffs each of the past five seasons.
6 ENTRY DRAFT SUCCESS
The path to the Stanley Cup starts in June at the draft table. That maxim has been proven time and time again by successful teams. Teams that draft and develop well always have a stable of young players who can push for jobs or be used in trades to fill a hole in the lineup.
Scores in this category were determined by each team’s performance in the five drafts from 2000 through 2004, the logic being the players from those drafts have separated themselves as either full-time NHLers or minor-leaguers by now.
We examined each of those drafts and awarded one point for each player who either is or has been an NHL regular. The team drafting the player receives the credit for the player even if he established himself with another organization.
If a player was drafted twice after re-entering the draft – and he became a regular – both teams that drafted him receive credit for the player.
The Sabres, who have had a remarkable run of success in producing big-league talent, lead the league with 11 NHL players over that period in Paul Gaustad, Jiri Novotny, Derek Roy, Jason Pominville, Keith Ballard, Daniel Paille, Denis Wideman, Thomas Vanek, Jan Hejda, Nathan Paetsch and Drew Stafford.
The Coyotes, who produced just Fredrik Sjostrom and Ben Eager, are last in this category.
7 2008-09
It would be impossible to rank the into account how franchises as of right now if we didn’t take they’re doing this season.
And to the surprise of no one, the record-setting San Jose Sharks are the top team.
In this category, we came up with the score based on where teams stood in the NHL standings as of Dec. 16. Since teams had played a different number of games, we based our rankings on winning percentage and not points accrued.
As was the case with our five-year analysis, we assigned a numerical value based on each team’s position in the standings, with 30 for first place down to one point for last. But since the season was barely one-third complete, we felt giving 2008-09 the same weight as the first two categories would skew the rankings. So, we took the scores and divided them by three, meaning the Sharks received 10 points in this category.
At the time of our ranking, Tampa Bay and the Islanders were tied for last place, so we assigned them two points each for being 29th – just 0.7 points out of 10 when divided by three.
8 FRANCHISE VALUE
Very straightforward. We took the franchise values for this season according to Forbes magazine and teams received one point for each increment of three that they were on the list. This season, the Rangers, Leafs and Habs were the top three teams, so they each got 10.
9 OWNERSHIP
It’s not a coincidence that the teams that make a habit of being successful have strong ownership. When it comes to on-ice success, it truly starts at the top. This category was ranked out of 10 and five teams earned perfect marks.
The Red Wings are owned by Little Caesar’s pizza baron Mike Ilitch and for the past 20 seasons they have set the standard for NHL ownership. Ilitch is involved enough without being a bother to the coach or manager and his commitment to the community will help the Red Wings through what promise to be difficult economic times.
Ilitch and Peter Karmanos were rivals on the Detroit minor hockey scene through the 1980s; as an NHL owner in Carolina, Karmanos has proven to be Ilitch’s equal in virtually every way. Karmanos’ teams have struggled since winning the Stanley Cup in 2006, but he remains committed to a non-traditional hockey market in Raleigh.
In Calgary, the Flames are owned by a group of Calgary oilmen led by former NHL chairman of the board Harley Hotchkiss, a group that has ushered the Flames into an era of unparalleled prosperity.
They proved in Edmonton that ownership by committee could work, then made a seamless and encouraging transition by selling to a local and passionate billionaire in Daryl Katz, whose biggest challenge is finding a way to build an arena with only $100 million of his own money.
A group led by former Rangers executive David Checketts now runs the St. Louis Blues and while the results haven’t come quickly on the ice, the Blues are back to selling out on a regular basis.
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NHL Prospect Pool Overview ’25-26: Pittsburgh Penguins Rebuild The Pipeline In Big Way
The Pittsburgh Penguins are up in the NHL prospect pool overview series.
Tony Ferrari digs into the Penguins’ strengths and weaknesses, latest draft class, positional depth chart, next player in line for an NHL opportunity and more. A player who no longer holds rookie eligibility in the NHL is considered graduated and no longer a prospect for these exercises, with few exceptions.
Initial Thoughts
The Penguins are building toward the future. Whether they want to call it a rebuild or not is up to them, but the reality is that the focus of Kyle Dubas is on acquiring draft picks and prospects. That's why they had an NHL-high 13 picks in this year's NHL draft and created stockpiles of picks for the next couple of years as well.
As much as this team wants to compete with Sidney Crosby still performing at an elite level, it may not be feasible over the next couple of years. Maybe next year at this time, we will be talking about Crosby mentoring another young phenom in Gavin McKenna. Until then, let's focus on the rebuilt prospect pipeline for the Penguins.
Last year's scoring leader on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins was Ville Koivunen, one of the key pieces acquired a year earlier in the Jake Guentzel trade with the Carolina Hurricanes. Koivunen is a highly intelligent forward with some versatility in his game as a scorer. He is a creative playmaker who doesn’t shy away from making high-skill plays. Koivunen would be an asset in the NHL this season as the 22-year-old has the pace and puck skill to add an element of flair. His speed could help mitigate the slowing feet of Evgeni Malkin, or his intelligence could be an asset alongside Crosby.
Tanner Howe likely won’t be playing much of his first AHL season after undergoing ACL repair surgery. Despite the injury, Howe is a feisty competitor who gets involved physically when the opportunity presents itself while also playing a chain-connector role offensively. A year off is going to be tough, but Howe is a battler on the ice, so now he’ll have to prove his resolve off the ice.
With a solid rookie AHL season, Tristan Broz fully returned to form after falling off a bit when he started college. Broz works his tail off and plays a physical game while being an excellent shooter. He may never be a top-six fixture, but he’s a crash-and-bang winger who loves to get involved and could be a really solid third-liner.
When the Penguins acquired Rutger McGroarty last year, they were hoping he would jump into the NHL lineup immediately and provide some offensive support for their aging top guns. Unfortunately for them, the pace of the game proved to be a bit too much for him early in the season, and he was sent back to the AHL. When he returned later in the season, McGroarty looked much more like the shark in the water, off-puck menace he’s been known to be. He still occasionally had some issues keeping up, but he took efficient routes and was quick to make decisions with the puck, whether he was looking to pass or shoot. This could be the year he fully takes the step.
Acquired in February, Melvin Fernstrom is an intelligent, skilled player who’s been incredible at the Swedish junior level and looked solid in the top-tier Swedish League. Fernstrom reads the play and makes smart decisions with the puck. He needs to get a bit faster and play at a higher pace, but there is a lot to like from a chain-linking perspective. Whether it’s getting to a spot to shoot or making quick passes as soon as he gets the puck, Fernstrom’s game is based around his tactical IQ.
On the back end, Owen Pickering headlines the group. Although he’s surpassed the rookie threshold, Pickering still needs to establish himself. He’s still a work in progress, but he did play 25 games in the NHL this past season. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound 21-year-old’s physical gifts are impressive, with excellent size, mobility and the puck skill of a much smaller player. His decision-making is still a bit spotty at both ends of the ice, but there is so much potential if he can refine a few of the little things.
Emil Pieniniemi did a bit of everything for OHL Kingston after playing pro hockey in Finland in 2023-24. His physicality showed up in the defensive end, but his puck-moving ability on the breakout and in the offensive zone was a true sign of development. His skating must improve a bit, especially when escaping forecheckers and evading pressure. He’ll jump into the AHL this season, and it should show just how ready he is for North American pro hockey.
Harrison Brunicke’s raw tools might be as good or better than just about anyone else in Pittsburgh’s defense prospect pipeline. His execution isn’t always on point, but his play is encouraging. He played 10 AHL games this past season and looked like he was in a bit over his head, but that should let him know what to improve on next season in the WHL.
The Pens acquired Arturs Silovs from the Vancouver Canucks on July 13. He proved he’s ready for a full-time NHL role after backstopping the Abbotsford Canucks to the Calder Cup and winning AHL playoff MVP honors. Silovs has had some excellent moments in the NHL as well, including in the Stanley Cup playoffs just two seasons ago when he took over for an injured Thatcher Demko. He could earn a 50/50 share of the starts in the NHL this season for the Pens, which could help them win a few more games than expected.
Early last season, Joel Blomqvist was the Pens' best goalie – better than Tristan Jarry and the since-traded Alex Nedeljkovic. He couldn’t keep up his play behind a porous defense group, but he showed flashes of success. The Penguins hope that in a year or two, he and Silovs will form a stable tandem in net.
U-23 Players Likely To Be On NHL Roster This Season
Ville Koivunen (C/W), Rutger McGroarty (RW), Owen Pickering (D)
2025 NHL Draft Class
Round 1, 11th overall - Benjamin Kindel, C/RW, Calgary (WHL)
Round 1, 22nd overall - Bill Zonnon, RW, Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)
Round 1, 24th overall - Will Horcoff, C, U. of Michigan (NCAA)
Round 2, 39th overall - Peyton Kettles, D, Swift Current (WHL)
Round 3, 73rd overall - Charlie Trethewey, D, U.S. NTDP (USHL)
Round 3, 84th overall - Gabriel D'Aigle, G, Victoriaville (QMJHL)
Round 3, 91st overall - Brady Peddle, D, Waterloo (USHL)
Round 4, 105th overall - Travis Hayes, RW, S.S. Marie (OHL)
Round 5, 130th overall - Ryan Miller, C, Portland (WHL)
Round 5, 148th overall - Quinn Beauchesne, D, Guelph (OHL)
Round 5, 154th overall - Jordan Charron, RW, S.S. Marie (OHL)
Round 6, 169th overall - Carter Sanderson, LW, Muskegon (USHL)
Round 7, 201st overall - Kale Dach, C, Sherwood Park (BCHL)
With 13 picks in the draft, including seven inside the top 100, the Penguins were ecstatic with their draft.
The Penguins took WHL forward Benjamin Kindel 11th overall, which was one of the first big surprises of the draft. Kindel has been knocked for his thin frame, but he plays like a dog on a bone with high effort and excellent positioning. His intelligence and play recognition are impressive, but what could make him effective as a pro is his playmaking ability. His passing is nearly elite, spotting players across the ice or slashing behind the defense. Kindel was responsible for some of the most impressive passes in the WHL this past season. The pick is a long-term bet, but this could look really good a few years from now.
There may not be a player with a more impressive work ethic than Bill Zonnon. Despite all the complaints people in hockey have about QMJHL players and the habits they develop in that league, Zonnon plays a game more similar to the OHL and WHL or even the pros.
Mechanically, Zonnon’s skating isn’t pristine, but he moves well and consistently works to get himself into position. He plays with purpose in all three zones, looking to amp up the pace and force opponents into mistakes. Whether he’s closing quickly on the forecheck or chipping the puck to a teammate in the neutral zone and then flying up to support them, Zonnon looks to keep play moving quickly. While he is primarily a playmaker, he does an excellent job of crashing the net and hunting down pucks to get secondary shot chances.
A few picks later, the Penguins took Will Horcoff out of the University of Michigan. Horcoff is a big center who plays a sound defensive game, but he has some room to grow offensively. He jumped into the NCAA after starting the year with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. It was interesting that his best hockey came when he took a step up in levels, really showing his versatility in the college game and even showcasing a bit more as a play facilitator. With some further development at Michigan, he could be a very steady, versatile center in a few years.
In Round 2, the Penguins grabbed Peyton Kettles, a 6-foot-6 right-shot defender who is a play-killing specialist. His best moments come from closing the gap, using his length to disrupt possession and quickly moving the puck to a teammate. His strength along the boards is tough for opponents to deal with – he plasters players to the wall and holds them there while he or a teammate slips the puck free. He’s not flashy, but he’s very effective in his own end, and he can keep the play going when the puck gets to him.
Third-round pick Charlie Trethewey is a do-it-all blueliner who will likely be more defensive-minded in the pro ranks, but his encouraging offensive game shows up in flashes. There may be more runway for him to add offensive layers as he goes the college route, but his mobility and physicality will be staples in his game. He has a nice floor and a ceiling that is intriguing in many ways. He can mirror attackers and close quickly when he sees a bobble or a moment of indecision. Boston University is a great spot for him to continue his development.
It’s a very fun story that goaltender Gabriel D’Aigle comes from the same hometown, Sorel-Tracy, Que., as Penguins great Marc-Andre Fleury. It’s even cooler for D’Aigle that the NHL veteran has become a mentor to him.
There is a lot that must happen if D’Aigle wants to have even half the impact on the Pens that Fleury did, though. D’Aigle has had some pedigree for a few years now, even playing for Canada at the U-18s two years ago. Unfortunately, he’s struggled to take the next step in the QMJHL. He has many of the tools you want to see from a goalie in terms of size and mobility, but he must track the puck better and stay in position more effectively.
Defender Brady Peddle is a heat-seeking missile who loves to crush guys along the boards. Peddle is making the move from the United States League to the QMJHL next season before heading to Michigan State University the year after. In the ‘Q,’ Peddle’s physicality will be a problem for opposing teams because there aren’t many players in the league as violent on the back end as Peddle. It will be really fun to see him try to develop an offensive game in the QMJHL next season because that is the biggest hole in his game at the moment.
When Kyle Dubas was the Toronto Maple Leafs’ GM, SDPN’s Steve Dangle popularized the saying, “Dubas loves his guys,” when the GM constantly acquired players who played for the Soo Greyhounds. That’s the organization where Dubas got his start.
Well, things haven’t changed much in Pittsburgh, as Greyhounds right winger Travis Hayes went to Pittsburgh in the fourth round, a bit higher than most expected him to go. Hayes is a heavy shooter with a physical edge. He does a good job of working opposing players over along the boards and winning battles as well. There are plenty of defensive details that need ironing out, and he must be more of a playmaker, but this is an interesting pick nonetheless.
Ryan Miller is a hard-working forward who brings a high level of competitiveness and excellent attention to detail on the forecheck and in the defensive zone. He isn’t much of a skill player, but he finds ways to make positive plays through crafty passing and an intensity that goes from battles along the wall to the net front. He has a future as a hunter who takes the puck back for his team.
With their second of three fifth-round picks, the Pens took resourceful defensive blueliner Quinn Beauchesne. He showed off some excellent defensive instincts this past season despite being on a Guelph Storm team that was constantly in its own end. When Beauchesne had the chance, he made good, steady plays on offense. Had Beauchesne been on a better team, he likely would’ve produced more than six goals and 24 points in 49 games. Despite that, this could be quite the pick at 148th overall.
The Penguins took another Greyhound in Jordan Charron, a bit of a raw winger who plays a high-energy puck-pursuit game. He jumped from Jr. A to the OHL when the NCAA changed eligibility rules, and although that only guaranteed him a depth role on the Greyhounds, he was certainly doing everything in his power to play that role to his ful ability. Charron has a physical edge and good speed, which makes him a forechecking menace at times.
Forward Carter Sanderson isn’t on the ice to score goals or generate much offense. His role is to go out there and punish the opposing team by throwing some big hits and playing sound defensive hockey. He’s extremely young for the draft class, just a few days away from being a 2026 draft eligible, so he could have a bit more offensive skill in the tank. At his best, Sanderson is a menace when he’s able to line up his opponents.
Capping off the marathon draft for the Penguins was Kale Dach, a BCHL star who shows some incredible playmaking habits but lacks a physical game. Dach shies away from contact at times and even concedes pucks in corners, relying on his skill to swipe them back from less-skilled, slower defenders. Dach will play with WHL Calgary this upcoming season and then head to Penn State in the NCAA the following year, so this is a bit of a project pick but an interesting swing on skill late.
Strengths
The Penguins have done a great job of gathering right-shot defenders in their prospect pool.
Although their top defense prospect, Pickering, is a left shot, the rest of the top blueliners, for the most part, are right-handed.
Pittsburgh added Kettles, Trethewey and Beachesene at the draft, but they already had a few intriguing players.
Brunicke is a toolsy, athletic defender with plenty of upside. Finn Harding is a defensive blueliner who uses his footwork to cut off play, but he will have to work on moving the puck. Joona Vaisanen is a valuable player in the NCAA, helping Western Michigan win a national title. Although not all of these players will make the NHL, they have options at one of the most pivotal positions, right-side blueliners.
Weaknesses
Beyond the recently drafted Horcoff, there aren’t many legitimate NHL center options.
The depth centers may be good AHLers one day, but unless they significantly improve their skills, they just aren’t projected to be centers in the NHL. Maybe Kindel can fill a role as a pivot with some further development, but it’s not going to be easy for a slightly undersized forward to play down the middle.
The Pens have had the two-headed monster of Crosby and Malkin for almost two decades now, but they will eventually be without those two. They don’t have much coming to fill the holes, so there are questions about the future at center. With the next couple of drafts, the Pens must address that with their plethora of picks.
Hidden Gem: Mikhail Ilyin, LW/RW
Ilyin’s passing is tantalizing at times, finding seams and fitting passes through traffic with ease. He is a tactician at heart, playing chess while others play checkers.
Ilyin is also such a smart player, identifying the next play a step ahead. He’s had two really solid KHL seasons, and although he signed his entry-level contract, he'll remain in Russia for at least one more season.
Ilyin needs to add another layer to his puckhandling and become more aggressive as a goal-scorer, given his seven goals in 64 games this past season. If he can improve in those areas, he could be a really interesting addition to the Pens roster in a few years.
Next Man Up: Arturs Silovs, G
With excellent size and very strong lateral mobility, Silovs will push for the lion’s share of starts in the NHL.
Silovs has big-game ability and makes the big saves when needed. That’s something the Penguins haven’t had since Matt Murray was in his prime. The 6-foot-4 netminder takes up the net and cuts down angles on shooters quite well, telescoping in and out of the net as needed. This is Silovs’ chance to assert himself as a starter for a team that desperately needs consistently capable goaltending.
Penguins' Arturs Silovs Proved He's Ready For A Full-Time NHL Gig In AHL Canucks' Calder Cup Win Shortly after the Abbotsford Canucks began celebrating their Calder Cup championship, a few of the players got to work.
Prospect Depth Chart Notables
LW: Ville Koivunen, Tanner Howe, Tristan Broz, Mikhail Ilyin, Mac Swanson, Max Graham
C: Will Horcoff, Zam Plante, Ryan Miller, Kale Dach
RW: Benjamin Kindel, Bill Zonnon, Rutger McGroarty, Melvin Fernstrom, Cruz Lucius
LD: Owen Pickering, Brady Peddle, Emil Pieniniemi, Kalle Kangas
RD: Peyton Kettles, Harrison Brunicke, Charlie Trethewey, Quinn Beauchesne, Finn Harding, Joona Vaisanen
G: Arturs Silovs, Joel Blomqvist, Sergei Murashov, Gabriel D’Aigle
For a deeper dive into the prospect pool with player rankings, check out the Yearbook and Future Watch editions of The Hockey News in print.