Monthly Archives: July 2025

Hockey News

NHL season to begin with Florida Panthers raising Stanley Cup banner before facing Chicago Blackhawks

Leave a comment

We now have a date to circle on our calendars.

On Monday, the NHL announced its 2025-26 season Opening Night tripleheader.

Featured prominently at the top are your defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers.

Florida will raise their second Stanley Cup banner on Tuesday, October 7 when they host the

Chicago Blackhawks at Amerant Bank Arena.

The game is set for an early 5 p.m. puck drop.

Also on the Opening Night docket are the New York Rangers hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins at 8 p.m. and the Colorado Avalanche visiting the Los Angeles Kings at 10:30 p.m.

One thing that immediately raises an eyebrow is regarding the league decision to give its back-to-back champions, and their fans, a non-traditional, arguably inconvenient start time on Opening Night.

We get it, the Penguins and Rangers are going to draw bigger audiences, but that’s going to happen regardless. It’s also a game that features two non-playoff teams from a season ago.

Speaking of teams that didn’t make the playoffs, Chicago actually finished one spot above worst in the NHL last season.

Again, we get it. It’s another big market, Original Six team, but putting them up against the defending Stanley Cup champions on opening night?

Where are the Lightning? Toronto? The Bruins? 

It was Boston who Florida opened last season against, and who Florida has faced twice in the past three postseasons. 

Maybe the league just thinks very highly of Seth Jones and Spencer Knight facing their former teams for the first time.

One thing that will be interesting to see play out on Opening Night will be how the Panthers fans react to Knight’s return to South Florida.

Long after the Trade Deadline deal that swapped Knight and Jones, Panthers fans continued to shout “Knight!” during the National Anthem.

To be fair, as games went deeper into the playoffs, there were a growing number of groaning, booing fans who didn’t seem to agree with the continuation of the “Knight!” chants.

But with Spencer returning for the first time, perhaps we’ll get one final, extremely loud “Knight!” to honor the young goaltender, who will likely be starting in net for the Blackhawks.

The rest of the 2025-26 NHL schedule is expected to come out on Wednesday afternoon.

LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA

Former Panthers Assistant Coach Joins Oilers Staff

Florida Panthers joined rare company by winning Stanley Cup while leading league in penalty minutes

Insider Believes Evan Rodrigues Could Be A Good Fit With The Canucks; Thinks Panthers Are Doing Whatever It Takes To Keep Him

Names of Florida Panthers added to Stanley Cup for second straight year

Hockey Hall of Fame opens Florida Panthers-themed Stanley Cup Champions exhibit...again

Photo caption: Oct 8, 2024; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers players watch from the ice as the team lifts the championship banner before the game against the Boston Bruins at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

Hockey News, International

Islanders Sign Victor Eklund But He’s Probably Returning To Sweden Too

Leave a comment

Swedish winger Victor Eklund, 18, has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the New York Islanders, the team that drafted him 16th overall at the recent NHL Entry Draft, the club announced on Monday.

In all likelihood, however, Eklund will be returning to Djurgården, the Stockholm-based club where he has played since his childhood, like his longtime teammate Anton Frondell.

Last season, Eklund had 31 points in 42 games in the HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden’s second tier of professional hockey. He then had seven points in 16 playoff games, helping Djurgården gain a promotion to the top-tier SHL.

“I don’t know,” Eklund said back in October when asked where he himself playing next season. “I haven’t talked to anyone. I’m in Djurgården now and (I hope) we’re going to the SHL. I hope there won’t be any weirdness there.”

Report: Anton Frondell Will Sign With Blackhawks This Week; Won’t Attend Training CampReport: Anton Frondell Will Sign With Blackhawks This Week; Won’t Attend Training Camp Swedish center Anton Frondell will sign an entry-level contract this upcoming week with the Chicago Blackhawks, the team that took him third overall at this year’s NHL Entry Draft, according to Swedish journalist Gunnar Nordström.

It was recently reported in Swedish media that Frondell, who was chosen third overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the same draft, will sign with Chicago this week but will not attend the team's training camp this September, instead choosing to prepare for and start the season with Djurgården without interruption. If that’s the case, it would seem likely that Eklund will do the same.

In addition to Eklund and Frondell, Djurgården’s lineup for the upcoming season will also include veteran center Marcus Krüger, who was a two-time Stanley Cup champion with Chicago, Finnish right winger Jesse Ylönen, Swedish defenseman Gustav Lindström, and Swedish goaltender Magnus Hellberg.

Photo © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

Victor Eklund: “It’s Gone Quite Well So I’ll Just Continue With It”Victor Eklund: “It’s Gone Quite Well So I’ll Just Continue With It”Victor Eklund is off to a flying start in his draft year. The 18-year-old left winger has seven goals and four assists in 13 games for Djurgården in the HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden’s second-tier professional league. Last Friday, he netted a hat trick in a 7-6 shootout loss to Björklöven.
Hockey News

The Devils Have Three Cups and Still Don’t Have a Single Season 50-Goal Scorer

Leave a comment

The National Hockey League released its list of the most recent 50-goal scorers by franchise.

Active players like the Bruins’ David Pastrňák (2022–23), the Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon (2023–24), and the Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin (2021–22) made the list. Some franchises, however, featured much older names, such as the Kings’ Luc Robitaille (1992–93), the Canadiens’ Stéphane Richer (1989–90), and the Flyers’ John LeClair (1997–98).

Seven teams were listed as “N/A,” having never had a 50-goal scorer in franchise history.

Which teams didn’t make the list?

The Columbus Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, Seattle Kraken, Utah Mammoth (no surprise there), Vegas Golden Knights, and, last but not least, the New Jersey Devils.

Out of all the teams that didn’t have a 50-goal scorer, the Vegas Golden Knights are the only other team with a Stanley Cup win besides the Devils. 

That’s right: the New Jersey Devils have won three Stanley Cups, and never had a 50-goal scorer in franchise history.

They’ve had players come close, but none have hit the milestone.

John MacLean had three 40-goal seasons and leads the franchise in most such seasons by a single player. He scored 42 goals in 1988–89, 41 goals in 1989–90, and posted a career-high 45 goals in 1990–91.

Eight other players have recorded one 40-goal season each for the Devils: Patrik Elias, Brian Gionta, Jack Hughes, Claude Lemieux, Alexander Mogilny, Wilf Paiement, Zach Parise, and Pat Verbeek.

Brian Gionta holds the franchise record for most goals in a single season with 48 in 2005–06. He finished that year with 89 points, just two goals shy of the elusive 50-goal mark.

Wilf Paiement scored 41 goals in 1976–77 while playing for the Colorado Rockies, a predecessor to the Devils. Paiement was drafted second overall in 1974 by the Kansas City Scouts, who later became the Rockies, and eventually, the New Jersey Devils.

Paiement played two seasons in Kansas City before the team relocated to Colorado.

It’s worth noting that Alexander Mogilny hit the 50-goal mark before joining New Jersey. In 1995–96, he scored 55 goals and 107 points for the Vancouver Canucks. But his most impressive season came in 1992–93, when he scored an astounding 76 goals and finished with 127 points.

There is hope for a future 50-goal scorer in New Jersey.

Jack Hughes tallied 43 goals in 78 games during the 2022–23 season. However, over the past two years, Hughes has been limited to 62 games due to two shoulder injuries. He underwent surgeries on April 9, 2024, and March 3, 2025.

Could Hughes become the first 50-goal scorer in Devils history? If he stays healthy, it’s possible. And if not him, perhaps someone else will finally remove that “N/A” from New Jersey’s entry on the NHL’s 50-goal list.

Photo Credit: © Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

Hockey News, The Hockey News

Penguins, Leafs And Oilers Face Intriguing Goalie Tandem Questions

Leave a comment

The Pittsburgh Penguins and Vancouver Canucks added to the NHL’s goalie moves this off-season.

In Vancouver, the duo of star Thatcher Demko and understudy Kevin Lankinen meant the Canucks felt comfortable trading Arturs Silovs to the Penguins. At the beginning of the month, Pittsburgh’s rival, the Philadelphia Flyers, added Dan Vladar to help address the team having the worst save percentage in the NHL this past season.

With that said, there are other goalie tandems that have significant questions about them. Here are three teams’ netminding pictures and what’s so intriguing about them.

1. Will Newcomer Silovs Thrive In Pittsburgh – And Take Pressure Off Jarry And Blomquist?

On Sunday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired youngster Arturs Silovs from the Canucks in exchange for AHL winger Chase Stillman and a fourth-round pick in 2027. 

The move comes at a time when the Penguins’ goaltending has been anything but dependable. The 24-year-old Silovs came off a career season with the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks, where he powered the team to the Calder Cup championship as playoff MVP.

Unfortunately for Silovs, he’ll play behind a Pens squad whose defense has been porous, and it could get worse if Pittsburgh GM Kyle Dubas trades away star Erik Karlsson. But if Silovs can come in and provide some above-average netminding, he’ll take the heat off veteran Tristan Jarry, whose past season was so rough at times that he cleared waivers and played 12 games in the AHL. Jarry’s contract has three years left at a $5.375-million cap hit per season, so unless he rebounds, he may become one of the NHL’s most highly paid backups if things work out well with Silovs. 

There will also be competition from 23-year-old goalie Joel Blomqvist, who played 15 NHL games and put up an. 885 save percentage and 3.81 goals-against average this past season. But as it stands, Silovs will have every opportunity to win the starter’s job and secure a major pay raise when he becomes an RFA next summer. 

Time will tell if he’s the long-term solution in net for the Pens, but Silovs’ acquisition should inspire some confidence that things will get better between the pipes in Pittsburgh.

2. Who Will Get More Playing Time In Toronto – Stolarz Or Woll?

The Maple Leafs had a terrific duo of Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll this past season. Stolarz posted a .926 save percentage and 2.14 goals-against average in 34 games, and Woll put up a .909 SP and 2.73 GAA in 42 appearances.

Leafs coach Craig Berube will likely lean on Woll and Stolarz equally in 2025-26. The only reason Stolarz didn’t play more often last season was due to injury. So long as he and Woll stay healthy, there’s no reason to expect either one will get significantly more playing time than the other. Being a 1A-1B tandem this past season worked.

If there is any added motivation, it’ll be for Stolarz, who is coming into a contract season. Toronto GM Brad Treliving has more than enough cap space in the years ahead to re-sign Stolarz, but at a time when the goalie market isn’t deep at all, it may make more sense for Stolarz to be patient and go to market next summer. Regardless, there may be no more equally balanced tandem in the league than the one in Leafs Land. Toronto’s players can be confident with either goalie in net.

Calvin Pickard and Stuart Skinner (Perry Nelson-Imagn Images)

3. Will The Oilers Really Run It Back With Skinner And Pickard?

The Edmonton Oilers made it to two Stanley Cup finals with the tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard. That’s the positive view, at least.

The pessimistic view is that they’ve lost two Cup finals with Skinner and Pickard, who each had a sub-.900 save percentage in the playoffs. In the regular season, Skinner had a .896 SP and 2.81 GAA, while Pickard had a .900 SP and 2.71 GAA. 

If any team had the impetus to change up their netminding situation, it’s Edmonton. 

However, instead of trading for a veteran, such as former Anaheim Ducks veteran and new Detroit Red Wings starter John Gibson, the Oilers stood pat with Skinner and Pickard so far. That may drive Edmonton fans to ruin if the Oilers stick with the same duo for a third straight season and once again are not able to get to the promised land.

The Oilers are basically capped out at the moment, and that may be what’s behind their decision not to make a change in goal. But we’ve got a hunch Edmonton GM Stan Bowman will let patience be a virtue and revisit the issue during the regular season. At that point, injuries and other trades may free up valuable cap space, and some teams may be more willing to make a trade for a goalie by then. But there are no other viable goaltending options on the free-agent front, and unless Bowman has some sort of trick up his sleeve, the Oilers will start the year with the same duo in net.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

Hockey News

Islanders’ Sorokin Shocked By Dobson’s Trade To The Canadiens

Leave a comment

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

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

Canadiens’ 2025-26 Schedule Revealed
Canadiens: Could The Elusive Second Line Center Come From Free Agency in 2026?
Ex-Canadiens Goalie Signed NHL's Most Unique Off-Season Deal

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

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

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

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

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

Photo credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story.  

Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.

Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.

Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable on The Hockey News.

Hockey News

Report: Former Devils Forward Linked To 2 KHL Teams

Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ex-Devils First-Round Pick Traded To CanucksEx-Devils First-Round Pick Traded To CanucksFormer New Jersey Devils first-round pick Chase Stillman is on the move again. 

Photo Credit: © Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

Hockey News

Sabres To Host Four NHL Clubs In Prospects Challenge

Leave a comment

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

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

Other Sabres Stories

Byram Situation Leaves Sabres In Limbo

Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere

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

Schedule

Thursday, September 11

New Jersey vs. Columbus, 7 p.m.

Friday, September 12

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

New Jersey vs. Buffalo, 7 p.m.

Saturday, September 13

Columbus vs. Buffalo, 7 p.m.

Sunday, September 14

Boston vs. New Jersey, 12 p.m.

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

Monday, September 15

Pittsburgh vs. Buffalo, 12 p.m.

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo