Monthly Archives: August 2025

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Nicolas Roy Gets Married To Wife, Laurie, Ahead Of First Season With Maple Leafs

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A month and a half after being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Nicolas Roy and his family celebrated a huge life milestone.

The 28-year-old and his partner, Laurie, announced their marriage on Instagram on Tuesday evening. The couple tied the knot on July 19th, surrounded by family and friends at Manoir Montpellier, a wedding venue in Quebec, located between Ottawa and Montreal.

The two got engaged in November 2023, nearly five months after Roy and the Vegas Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup. The right-shot center scored three goals and eight assists in 22 games during the run with Vegas.

Roy is entering his first season with the Maple Leafs after being acquired by the club in a sign-and-trade for Mitch Marner. The former Toronto forward inked an eight-year, $96 million contract with the Maple Leafs before being shipped off to Vegas.

The Amos, Quebec-born forward has two seasons remaining on his five-year, $15 million contract he signed with the Golden Knights in August 2022. The annual average value of the deal is $3 million.

“It was a good feeling. Obviously, shocked a little bit at first,” Roy said in his first media availability after being acquired by Toronto. “So now I feel really good about it. I've got time to reflect and look at everything, and really excited to join the Leafs for sure.”

Roy is coming off his third-best season in the NHL, where he scored 15 goals and 16 assists in 71 games with Vegas. His best year came in 2021-22, when Roy put up 39 points (15 goals and 24 assists) in 78 games. His 15 goals, in both 2021-22 and 2024-25, are a career-high in the NHL.

Drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the fourth round (96th overall) during the 2015 NHL Draft, Roy has played 369 games over seven seasons, scoring 68 goals and 98 assists for 166 points in that span.

“I want to be part of a team that's winning and obviously watching just the playoffs last year, I think for the (Florida) Panthers, their biggest challenge was the Leafs,” added Roy. “I think this group is ready to win right now, and that's why I want to be part of a team like that for sure.”

Roy will wear number 55 with the Maple Leafs, since number 10, which he wore with the Golden Knights, was retired by the club back in 2016.

This article originally appeared on The Hockey News: Nicolas Roy Gets Married To Wife, Laurie, Ahead Of First Season With Maple Leafs

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The Hockey News Big Show: Who's The NHL's Best Pest?

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The Hockey News Big Show breaks down recent NHL and hockey news as well as some other big topics as the off-season continues.

Who's The NHL's Best Pest? by The Big ShowWho's The NHL's Best Pest? by The Big Showundefined

Here’s what Michael Traikos, Ryan Kennedy and Drew Shore discussed in this episode:

00:57: Rating Happy Gilmore 2

3:40: Aug. 13 was supposed to be Johnny Gaudreau's 32nd birthday. What was Drew Shore’s favorite memory of him?

8:30: The Montreal Canadiens made arguably the biggest splash of the summer. What do you make of their off-season?

10:38: What is the challenge for Montreal being in the Atlantic Division?

12:22: The Florida Panthers re-signed all their big free agents. Nate Schmidt left, but Jeff Petry filled his spot. Are they better, worse or the same as last year? 

18:58: What qualifies a player as a rat or a pest in the NHL nowadays?

21:25: Who is the best pest in the NHL today?

23:39: Did Drew Shore have any run-ins with pests during his career?

24:31: What are the rats like off the ice? 

25:31: Who will be the next rat in the NHL?

26:46: Has there ever been a player like Brad Marchand who broke into the NHL and was a depth player for a long time before turning into a star?  

28:27: Why does Team USA not send the USA Hockey National Team Development Program players to the Hlinka Gretzky Cup ? 

30:27: How do scouts guess if a kid will grow in height?

34:07: Gerard Gallant's was introduced as KHL Shanghai’s newest coach in a Mortal Kombat style of video. Yay or nay?

37:13: EA Sports' NHL 26 "X-Factors" were revamped. Which NHL player best matches each one? We start with Quick Release: get shots off lightning quick with an extra-fast shot release.

37:48: Elite Edges: Shake off opponents with explosive edge work with increased acceleration and agility.

38:28: One T: Become the ultimate threat with increased one-timer shot power and accuracy.

39:04: Backhand Beauty: Catch opposing players and goalies off guard with increased backhand shot power and accuracy.

39:43: Send It: Spring your teammates by enhancing that pass receiver with a temporary boost of acceleration.

40:51: Tape to Tape: Feather saucer passes and make snappy passes in and out of vision with increased pass power and accuracy.

Watch the full Episode here 

Subscribe to The Hockey News Big Show on your preferred platform.

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Three Potential NHL Trade Destinations For Penguins' Rickard Rakell

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Pittsburgh Penguins forward Rickard Rakell has been a popular name in the NHL rumor mill this off-season. 

With the Penguins being in some sort of retool or rebuild, Rakell stands out as one of their top trade candidates. 

There is no question Rakell’s trade value is higher right now, as he just had a career year with the Penguins. In 81 games with the Metropolitan Division club in 2024-25, he recorded new career highs with 35 goals and 70 points in 81 games. After a season like this, he will certainly generate interest from NHL teams looking for another top-six winger. 

Rakell’s contract also adds to his value, as he has an affordable $5-million cap hit until the end of the 2027-28 season.

That said, the price to acquire Rakell is high. The Penguins want to return to playoff contention as soon as possible, and if they have a good start to the season, they'll likely want to keep Rakell for a while longer. So the ideal time to acquire Rakell might not be until during the season if the squad slumps out of the gate.

Let’s go over three potential NHL trade destinations for Rakell. 

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs stand out as a prime potential landing spot for Rakell during the season if they clear salary cap space. 

While they brought in forwards Matias Maccelli, Nicolas Roy and Dakota Joshua this off-season, there is no question that they still could use a proven top-six winger to help lessen the sting of losing Mitch Marner.

Maccelli will likely get the first crack at replacing Marner’s spot on the right wing in the top six, but with 18 points in 55 games last year, there are no guarantees he will bounce back to the type of production he had with the Arizona Coyotes and hover around 50 points or more.

If the Maple Leafs acquired Rakell, he could work nicely playing on their first line with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies. Even if he played on the Maple Leafs’ second line with William Nylander moving to the first, Rakell would undoubtedly give their current forward group more proven goal-scoring and playmaking abilities.

The Maple Leafs have just under $2 million of cap space, so they can’t acquire him right now without clearing cap space. 

The Penguins have over $13 million of cap space right now, so they could afford to take on more contracts in a potential trade with Toronto. This is especially so if it helps improve their overall return for Rakell. But Toronto can also accrue cap space during the season and make a push for Rakell around the NHL trade deadline if he’s still available – they could have about $8 million in space by then, according to PuckPedia.

Los Angeles Kings 

The Los Angeles Kings brought in bottom six forwards Corey Perry and Joel Armia this off-season, but they could use a top-six scoring winger.

While they have a defensive-focused system that allowed the second-fewest goals in the NHL last season, they were only 14th in goals-for. Only Adrian Kempe had more points last season than Rakell, with 73, so adding Rakell should add more scoring power without ruining the team’s system.

If the Kings acquired Rakell from the Penguins, he could be a strong fit on their second line with Quinton Byfield and Kevin Fiala. However, due to his versatility, he could also replace Andrei Kuzmenko on L.A.’s first line at left wing. With this, the Kings would have multiple different options to consider if they acquired Rakell.

Similar to the Maple Leafs, the Kings would also need to either move money out or accrue cap space during the season to afford Rakell. They have roughly $2.6 million of cap space right now but could have more than $12 million by the trade deadline. That said, they have a surplus of bottom-six forwards, and they could part ways with at least one of them if it means landing an effective forward like Rakell.

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Winnipeg Jets

After losing star winger Nikolaj Ehlers to the Carolina Hurricanes in free agency, the Winnipeg Jets certainly could use another legitimate top-six forward. With this, it would not be surprising in the slightest if they kicked tires on Rakell. 

While the Jets brought in veteran winger Gustav Nyquist this off-season, Rakell would be an upgrade over him in the Jets’ top six if acquired. The first line of Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele and Gabriel Vilardi should stay as-is, but Rakell could slot in their second-line right wing spot alongside potential linemates Cole Perfetti and Jonathan Toews. He would also give them another scorer to work with on the power play – Rakell had nine goals and 19 points on the man advantage last season.

The Jets have just under $4 million of cap space left, so it would not be too hard for them to find a way to afford Rakell. However, the one potential obstacle in a possible Rakell trade is that he has an eight-team no-trade list. With this, he would need to either not have the Jets on his no-trade list or be willing to accept a trade to Winnipeg if he does.

The Hockey News' Kelsey Surmacz also listed four trade destinations for Rakell on THN.com/Pittsburgh.

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.

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5 Burning Questions For The New Jersey Devils

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As New Jersey Devils players soak up the last few weeks of summer and begin their travels back to New Jersey to prepare for the 2025-26 campaign, let's break down some burning questions that will be answered throughout the course of the season. 

1) Can Jack Hughes Remain Healthy For 82 Games? 

When I was previously asked what the X-factor was for the Devils in 2025-26, I immediately responded with a healthy Jack Hughes. 

Shoulder injuries limited the 24-year-old to consecutive 62-game seasons, where he scored 27 goals. In March, he underwent successful surgery, which Dr. Peter Millett performed at The Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado.

His health is a topic that has been discussed ad nauseam. We simply have to see what the 2025-26 season will bring for Hughes. 

2) What Does The Devils' Goaltending Depth Look Like? 

In early July, general manager Tom Fitzgerald spoke about his goaltending depth, which includes 24-year-old Nico Daws.

"You see how often goalies are going down," he explained. "Having depth in the net is crucial. Nico is a guy, he played what, five, six games last year? Definitely played too early in his career, but out of necessity. We really like Nico, but we feel like having this depth makes us a better team."

The Devils will, of course, begin the 2025-26 season with veterans Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen in goal. Behind them on the organizational depth chart, based on experience, would be Daws, except that may not be true by the conclusion of training camp. 

If New Jersey decides not to carry three goaltenders, the young netminder has to clear waivers to be assigned to the Utica Comets (AHL). With a limited goaltending market in free agency and plenty of teams in search of a netminder, it is not out of the realm of possibilities for Daws to get claimed.

It is hard not to think back to Nov. 4, 2021, when Scott Wedgwood was claimed. In the blink of an eye, Jonathan Bernier suffered an injury, and the Devils went through seven different goaltenders that year. 

If Daws does not clear waivers, the next in line is expected to be Jakub Malek, who will be playing his first season in North America. If either Allen or Markstrom sustains a long-term injury, it would be a tough ask to expect Malek to carry the weight. Beyond the first-year goaltender is Tyler Brennan and Jeremy Brodeur. For those wondering about Isaac Poulter, he signed with the Winnipeg Jets earlier this summer. 

3) Can Any Of The New Additions Solidify The Top Six? 

Next to Jack Hughes' health, this is probably the biggest question after what some consider a "lackluster offseason" with no true top-six winger signed. 

Could one of Arseniy Gritsyuk, Evgenii Dadonov, or Connor Brown find themselves on the wing of either Hughes or Nico Hischier? It is not out of the realm of possibilities to eventually see Dadonov, who scored 20 goals last season, with Hughes or Brown take Stefan Noesen's place on Hischier's line. 

These are answers that will quickly reveal themselves as head coach Sheldon Keefe figures out his lines during training camp and preseason. 

4) Has The Team's Depth Been Solved? 

At the time of publication, the Devils parted ways with six players, who at specific points last season made up New Jersey's bottom six. Nathan Bastian, Justin Dowling, Erik Haula, Cutis Lazar, Daniel Sprong, and Tomas Tatar have all departed in free agency. 

Cody Glass was re-signed and could be the team's third-line center. He reached a career-high 14 goals in the 2022-23 season with the Nashville Predators. Paul Cotter and Stefan Noesen each reached a new single-season career-high in goals last season. If it all goes well and those three players can play a consistent level of hockey throughout all 82 games, the Devils should be in better shape. 

Dadonov and Brown are expected to help with scoring at five-on-five, and we will see what Dawson Mercer looks like at training camp after the organization demanded that he get stronger this summer. 

This question might not be answered until November or December. 

5) What Kind Of Player Will Arseniy Gritsyuk Be In The NHL?

The most important thing to keep in mind with Gritsyuk is that expectations will always lead to disappointment. 

There will be an adjustment period for the 24-year-old on and off the ice. The addition of Evgenii Dadonov should help with Gritsyuk's transition through training camp into the start of the regular season. 

I would give it some time before a judgment is made on what type of player he will be in the NHL. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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Choose Your Fighter: Gallant Joins Small List Of Former NHL Coaches Now Working In KHL

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Gerard Gallant joined the list of former NHL coaches leading KHL teams in thrilling fashion.

The newly rebranded Shanghai Dragons announced Gallant as their new coach in a dramatic Mortal Kombat-style video posted to their social media channels on Wednesday.

"Inside every heart lives a child dreaming of legendary journeys," the video said. "And in every legend, there is a master – one who has shaped the greatest heroes."

The video then showed depictions of Jaromir Jagr and Artemi Panarin, two former KHL players Gallant coached during his time with the NHL's Florida Panthers and New York Rangers.

"Now, the master has arrived to build a new team with a new name: Gerard Gallant," the video said.

The announcement transitioned from a dragon's fiery eyes into a depiction of Gallant wearing armor.

The Dragons rebranded last week from Kunlun Red Star Beijing with a similar action-packed video announcement. They are the KHL's only team from China, although they'll play in St. Petersburg, Russia, this upcoming season, with a two-year window to return to China.

Gallant is the third active KHL coach to have also been an NHL bench boss. Here are details on the three "masters."

Gerard Gallant, Shanghai

Gallant, 61, signed a two-year contract to coach the Dragons, whose CEO said they must make the playoffs and push deep into the post-season to maintain strong interest in China.

"We understood that building a strong team usually takes more than one season — the example of Lokomotiv Yaroslavl speaks for itself," Dragons CEO Sergey Belykh said in a statement. "Unfortunately, we don’t have that kind of time. That’s why the Dragons needed not just an experienced, high-profile head coach, but a specialist capable of building a competitive team in the shortest possible time.

"That instantly reminded us of Vegas, a team that made it to the Stanley Cup final in their very first season, with Gerard Gallant serving as head coach at the time."

Gallant won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's coach of the year when the Golden Knights reached the final in 2017-18. He first coached the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2004 to 2006, then the Panthers from 2015 to 2016 before joining Vegas. After his time with the Golden Knights, he guided the Rangers to the Eastern Conference final in 2022 before losing in the first round in 2023, leading to a mutual parting of ways.

In 705 regular-season NHL games, Gallant has a 369-262-70 record, with four ties and a 31-29 playoff record. He's also a two-time QMJHL champion, Memorial Cup champion and two-time World Championship gold medallist.

The Dragons feature Winnipeg Jets prospect Auston Wong, 2007 Nashville Predators draft pick Jeremy Smith, former Calgary Flames prospect Spencer Foo and his brother, Parker Foo.

Last year, Kunlun finished ninth of 11 teams in the Western Conference and missed the playoffs.

Bob Hartley (Sergei Belski-Imagn Images)

Bob Hartley, Yaroslavl

Hartley is entering his first season coaching Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, which won the Gagarin Cup as KHL playoff champions. The coach who led the team to the championship, Igor Nikitin, left Yaroslavl for CSKA Moscow.

Hartley, 64, hasn't coached a team since 2021-22, his fourth season with KHL Omsk. That year, he won the Gagarin Cup and was the KHL's coach of the year. Before that, he coached Latvia's men's squad for two years.

The Hawkesbury, Ont., native last coached in the NHL in 2015-16. He led the Calgary Flames for four seasons, winning the Jack Adams Award in 2014-15 after advancing to the second round of the playoffs.

Hartley also coached the Atlanta Thrashers from 2003 to 2007, but most of his success came with the Colorado Avalanche before that. 

The Avalanche got to at least the conference final four times under Hartley. And in 2000-01, they went 52-16-10-4 in the regular season and 16-7 in the playoffs to capture the Stanley Cup.

His NHL coaching record is 463-361-59 with 61 ties in the regular season and 54-41 in the playoffs. He's also a playoff champion in the AHL, QMJHL, Swiss National League and Jr. A CCHL.

Hartley told French-Canadian radio station BPM Sports in July he accepted the offer to honor the memory of his friend Brad McCrimmon, a Stanley Cup champion, 1,200-game NHL veteran and assistant coach who was named Yaroslavl's bench boss in 2011 before he and most of the team died in a plane crash. Hartley said in French it touched him to relive the passion and friendship he had for McCrimmon.

Yaroslavl's squad includes Nashville Predators prospect Egor Surin, who was drafted 22nd overall in 2024, as well as former NHLers Alexander Radulov and Byron Froese.

Guy Boucher (James Guillory-Imagn Images)

Guy Boucher, Omsk

Boucher is entering his second season coaching Avangard Omsk after losing to Yaroslavl in the second round of the playoffs.

The 54-year-old hadn't been a head coach since working for the Ottawa Senators from 2016-17 to 2018-19. He helped the Senators reach the Eastern Conference final in 2016-17, when they lost in double overtime of Game 7 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The other time Boucher made the playoffs was in 2010-11 with the Tampa Bay Lightning, which also reached the Eastern Conference final.

In parts of six seasons split between the Lightning and Senators, Boucher collected a 191-186-46 regular-season record and a 22-15 playoff record. Before heading to Omsk, he spent one season as an assistant coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2023-24.

Boucher's won the Spengler Cup with Team Canada in 2015, the Swiss Cup in 2014-15 and the QMJHL playoffs in 2009. He also won gold with Canada's U-18 squad in 2008 and the world junior team in 2009.

Omsk's former NHL players include Nail Yakupov, Vasily Ponomarev, Maxime Lajoie and Andrew Poturalski. Their NHL prospects include Colorado's Ivan Yunin and Mikhail Gulyayev.

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.