Sabres Won’t Win Until They Prioritize NHL Talent Over Potential
The Buffalo Sabres have had one of the better scouting departments in the league, which has led to Sabres general manager (GM) Kevyn Adams drafting well since being hired in…
Monthly Archives: July 2025
Duncan Keith’s 3 Seasons That Define His Hall of Fame Career
When the Edmonton Oilers acquired Duncan Keith from the Chicago Blackhawks in 2021, many felt the team overpaid for a player well past his prime. The Oilers traded young defenseman…
Canadiens Sign Former Red Wings First-Round Pick
The Montreal Canadiens are adding to their center depth.
The Canadiens have announced that they have signed Joe Veleno to a one-year, one-way contract.
Pen to paper! The Canadiens have agreed to terms on a one-year, one-way contract with forward Joe Veleno.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) July 16, 2025
News release ↓ #GoHabsGo | Montblanc Boutique Montréalhttps://t.co/CUE2zccT15
Veleno's salary with the Canadiens on his new deal will be $900,000, The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta reports.
$900,000 for Veleno https://t.co/7JjozNvQw8
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) July 16, 2025
Veleno, 25, was viewed as a potential target for the Canadiens, and he is now officially heading to Montreal. He will now offer them another experienced option to work with for their bottom six.
Veleno appeared in 74 games this past season split between the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks, where he posted eight goals, 17 points, and 139 hits. He was traded to the Seattle Kraken this off-season but then immediately bought out, making him an unrestricted free agent.
In 306 career NHL games over five seasons, Veleno has recorded 38 goals, 43 assists, 81 points, and 529 hits. He was selected by the Red Wings with the 30th overall pick back in 2018.
Report: Ex-Leafs Kadri Would Be Willing To Join CanadiensIt has been an excellent off-season for the Montreal Canadiens, as they notably brought in star defenseman Noah Dobson and young forward Zack Bolduc in two separate trades. Yet, they might not be done yet, as there has been plenty of talk about the Canadiens wanting to find an upgrade for their second-line center spot.
Photo Credit: © Brett Holmes-Imagn Images
Oilers In on Silovs, Andersson and Stars, & More NHL Rumors
In today’s NHL rumors rundown, were the Edmonton Oilers serious about acquiring Arturs Silovs before he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins? Meanwhile, has Rasmus Andersson‘s trade list expanded to…
NHL Rumor Roundup: Will Penguins' Jarry And Canadiens' Matheson Hit The Trade Block?
Most of the recent trade speculation surrounding the Pittsburgh Penguins is focused on Erik Karlsson. Their acquisition of right-shot blueliner Matt Dumba has some observers believing the 35-year-old defenseman will soon be on his way out of Pittsburgh.
However, their addition of goaltender Arturs Silovs earlier this week raises questions about Tristan Jarry's future in Pittsburgh.
A frequent subject of trade rumors for the past two seasons, the 30-year-old Jarry has battled inconsistency as the Penguins' starting goaltender. He spent some time with their AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last season as he struggled to regain his form.
Daily Faceoff's Jeff Marek noted the addition of Silovs to the Penguins' goalie ranks. With promising Joel Blomqvist expected to take on a larger role this season, he wondered if Jarry would be traded and what it could cost the Penguins to move him.
Marek suggested the Edmonton Oilers as a trade partner. It's rumored they could seek an upgrade between the pipes, but no suitable options have appeared thus far.
Jarry's inconsistent play isn't an improvement over Edmonton's current tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard. Assuming the Oilers were willing to acquire him, they lack sufficient cap space even with the Penguins retaining half of his $5.375 million average annual value through 2027-28.
Meanwhile, in Montreal, Mike Matheson has surfaced as a trade candidate in the rumor mill following the Canadiens' acquisition of Noah Dobson last month.
GM Kent Hughes has denied that Matheson would be shopped. However, the 31-year-old defenseman is UFA-eligible next July, prompting some observers to suggest he would make a good trade chip to add an experienced second-line center.
Jeff Gorton, the Canadiens' executive VP of hockey operations, recently reiterated the club's commitment to Matheson. He told RG.Org's James Murphy he's pleased with the blueliner's performance, citing his leadership, experience, all-around skills and his ability to log 25 minutes per game.
Gorton and Hughes could change their minds about Matheson if the rebuilding Canadiens are out of playoff contention by the March trade deadline. For now, however, the veteran defenseman will be in their lineup when they open the season in October.
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Mitch Marner and the Hometown Hero That Never Was
In the end, Mitch Marner ended up leaving the Toronto Maple Leafs. Many fans saw it as necessary, while others saw it as inevitable. For some, it stung. He was…
Takeaways, important dates from Bruins' 2025-26 regular season schedule
Takeaways, important dates from Bruins' 2025-26 regular season schedule originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The Boston Bruins are hoping for a bounce back during the 2025-26 NHL season.
After reaching the playoffs in eight consecutive years, the Bruins not only failed to quality last season, they also finished tied for the fourth-worst record in the league. Injuries, lackluster goaltending and a lack of scoring depth were among the issues that plagued the B’s.
The Bruins have not yet made any major upgrades to their roster this offseason. General manager Don Sweeney signed a bunch of bottom-six forwards in free agency and traded for middle-six left wing Viktor Arvidsson. The most notable offseason change for the Bruins was the hiring of Marco Sturm as the new head coach.
A fast start to the 2025-26 season would be very helpful for the Bruins as far as building some momentum that can propel them back to the playoffs. The B’s have typically been a fast-starting team. They went 10-2-0 to begin 2022-23 and 10-1-1 to start 2023-24. But last season, a lackluster 8-9-3 start cost Jim Montgomery his job as head coach.
All 32 teams announced their 2025-26 regular season schedule Wednesday afternoon.
A fast start in 2025-26 could be a bit of a challenge for the Bruins since 14 of their first 21 games are against teams that made the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including a season-opening matchup Oct. 8 versus the Washington Capitals on the road.
Let’s take a look at some key dates and takeaways from the Bruins’ 82-game slate.
Home opener
The Bruins’ first game at TD Garden is scheduled for Oct. 9 against Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks. The Blackhawks were the Bruins’ home opener opponent for the 2023-24 campaign, too.
Black Friday matinee
The Black Friday matinee returns to TD Garden on Nov. 28 when the Bruins host the rival New York Rangers. Puck drop is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.
2026 Stadium Series
The Bruins will play another outdoor game, this time against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Feb. 1 as part of the 2026 Stadium Series. Raymond James Stadium, where the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers play, will be the venue.
Rivalry matchups
Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY SportsThe Bruins and Leafs have met in the playoffs four times since 2013.
The Bruins’ best rivalry right now is with the Toronto Maple Leafs. These two Original Six franchises have met in the playoffs four times in the last 13 years, and most recently in 2024. But with the Montreal Canadiens becoming a playoff-caliber team again, maybe the classic Bruins-Canadiens rivalry will get re-ignited this season. It’s been too long since Boston and Montreal had true animosity, and they haven’t squared off in the playoffs since 2014.
The Panthers have become the Bruins’ newest rivals after two hard-fought playoff series in 2023 and 2024. Brad Marchand’s presence on the Panthers could take this rivalry to a new level.
Toronto Maple Leafs
- Nov. 8 at Toronto
- Nov. 11 at Boston
- March 24 at Boston
Montreal Canadiens
- Nov. 15 at Montreal
- Dec. 23 at Boston
- Jan. 24 at Boston
- March 17 at Montreal
Florida Panthers
- Oct. 21 at Boston
- Feb. 4 at Florida
- April 2 at Florida
Reunions
Sam Navarro-Imagn ImagesBrad Marchand won his second Stanley Cup title and first with the Panthers in June.
Brad Marchand: Oct. 21
Marchand is one of the best players in Bruins history and likely a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He was injured and did not play in the only Panthers-Bruins matchup at TD Garden after last season’s trade deadline.
We can expect Marchand to receive a raucous ovation in his first game back next season.
Charlie Coyle: Feb. 26
Coyle was acquired by the Bruins during the 2018-19 season and played in Boston until he was dealt to the Colorado Avalanche on trade deadline day back in March. He was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets earlier this month. Coyle grew up in Weymouth, Mass., and played college hockey at Boston University. He’s a local favorite and should receive a great ovation when he returns.
Brandon Carlo: Nov. 11
The Bruins selected Carlo in the second round of the 2015 NHL Draft, and he played a significant role on their blue line for many years before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in March.
2026 Winter Olympics break
Winslow Townson-Imagn ImagesBrad Marchand and Canada defeated Auston Matthews and Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off final in February.
NHL players will compete in the men’s ice hockey competition at the Winter Olympics for the first time since 2014. As a result, the league will shut down for about three weeks. The Bruins’ final game before the Olympic break is Feb. 4 versus the Panthers. They will resume their schedule Feb. 26 against the Blue Jackets.
Due to the Olympic break, there will be no All-Star Game this season.
Longest road trip
The Bruins’ longest road trip is five games, and it features a swing through Western Canada.
- Dec. 27 at Buffalo Sabres
- Dec. 29 at Calgary Flames
- Dec. 31 at Edmonton Oilers
- Jan. 3 at Vancouver Canucks
- Jan. 6 at Seattle Kraken
The Bruins also have two four-game road trips.
The first includes a swing through California:
- Nov. 19 at Anaheim Ducks
- Nov. 21 at Los Angeles Kings
- Nov. 23 at San Jose Sharks
- Nov. 26 at New York Islanders
The second is in April:
- April 2 at Florida Panthers
- April 4 at Tampa Bay Lightning
- April 5 at Philadelphia Flyers
- April 7 at Carolina Hurricanes
Regular season finale
For the second straight year, the Bruins will close out the regular season against the New Jersey Devils at TD Garden.
Mammoth’s Nate Schmidt Ready to Bring Winning and His Love of the Game to Utah
Nate Schmidt is coming off the best year of his life. At the beginning of the season, he was labeled as “damaged goods” coming off a buyout from the Winnipeg…
Sabres Poke Fun At Islanders, Rest Of NHL Teams Ahead Of 2025-26 Regular Season Schedule Release
The 2025-26 NHL schedule is set to come out today, Wednesday, at 1 PM ET. Ahead of the release, the Buffalo Sabres decided to show what their opponent would look like as chicken wings.
While some teams got absolutely roasted, like the Toronto Maple Leafs, which received the "Choking Hazard" label, the Sabres opted for the good old "Fish Sticks" for the New York Islanders.
Not only that, but they made sure to say "On" Long Island instead of the incorrect "In".
#Isleshttps://t.co/XlzxdJAzGPpic.twitter.com/VLo3IamARC
— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) July 16, 2025
Here's the full gallery:
Our schedule drops tomorrow...so here are our opponents as wings. 🧵
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) July 15, 2025
See all teams in the gallery → https://t.co/DWhjzTy44n#LetsGoBuffalo | @Ticketmasterpic.twitter.com/mewwI3BMFN
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