New York Islanders No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer is working hard this summer to crack the big squad this fall. 

Former NHLer Mark Giordano is his trainer and has been working alongside Islanders veteran defenseman Adam Pelech as well as Islanders forward Bo Horvat. 

Potential No. 1 Pick Matthew Schaefer On Islanders Bo Horvat, Adam Pelech & Mathieu DarcheLOS ANGELES --

There could be another Islanders player who joins Schaefer, and that's Casey Cizikas.

"I talked to Bo Horvat quite a bit. I was gonna train with him. And Pelech comes back to my gym," Schaefer said. "Cizikas may come back.

"I've talked to a lot of guys, and I can't wait to start working with them."

Jumping from the OHL to the NHL will be a gigantic step for Schaefer.

While he's a confident kid with a tremendous amount of hockey skill, Schaefer will need a support system in place to help him overcome obstacles that come his way.

The fact that he's trained this summer with not only NHLers but future teammates will go a long way toward Schaefer feeling comfortable in the room as quickly as possible.

While Pelech and Schaefer will not be a pair given that they both play the left side, there could be times during a game when Schaefer and Pelech are on the ice together. So, it's good for Schaefer to learn Pelech's tendencies and vice versa.

Building chemistry with forwards is ultra important, especially given the two-way style Schaefer plays.

Mathew Barzal made a comment about how he quickly built chemistry with defenseman Mike Reilly when it came to breakout passes.

So, for Schaefer, he's building chemistry with Horvat and, hopefully, Cizikas before it's time to head back to Long Island for training camp.

Don't forget Bonk, a Flyers prospect that will ‘aim high' as he turns pro originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Oliver Bonk won’t elicit all the hype and hoopla that Matvei Michkov did a year ago.

For various reasons, the defenseman has flown under the radar a bit when it comes to Flyers prospects. He was the other first-round pick from the draft that yielded the Flyers a massive talent in Michkov.

With 2024 first-rounder Jett Luchanko tasting the NHL last season, rising prospect Alex Bump nearing his debut and 2025 sixth overall pick Porter Martone now in the picture, the fanfare around Bonk isn’t as loud.

But he could be as important as anyone in the Flyers’ long-term picture, a 20-year-old piece that will be realizing his future at the pro level this season. While he’s projected to open with AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley, he’s not settling for the Phantoms when training camp arrives next month. His goal will be the Flyers’ roster.

“Go in with the expectation that you’re going to make the team,” Bonk said last month at development camp. “You can’t be aiming that you’re going to go to the [AHL] because then you will be going to the [AHL].

“If you’ve already set that bar — I don’t want to say low, but lower than it should be — you’re going to end up there. I think for every guy at this camp, it should be playing in the NHL. Most of the guys, it is. Some people will say it’s not really realistic, but I think it is. You’ve got to aim high.”

Bonk is coming off a highly successful career at the junior ranks. He helped lead London to the OHL championship series three times in four seasons and won the last two.

The righty shot punctuated his run with the Knights in June by winning the Memorial Cup. He did it alongside Flyers prospect Denver Barkey, who captained the top team in Canadian major junior hockey.

“I can definitely tell you that him and Bonk walk around with some pretty good swagger in the locker room after doing what they did,” Flyers director of player development Riley Armstrong said last month.

Bonk and Barkey were both drafted by the Flyers in 2023. After parts of four seasons as teammates in London, they’re turning pro together, as well.

“It’s really cool for us, just to watch each other grow over the years has been special,” Barkey said last month. “To continue to play together and hopefully play together for the rest of our lives, it’s cool to play alongside one another and just have a familiar face around. It has made it a lot easier.”

Over his final two regular seasons with the Knights, Bonk put up 107 points (35 goals, 72 assists) and a plus-65 rating through 112 games. He had a career plus-51 mark in the playoffs. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder has a game that’s all about doing the subtle things to keep the puck out of his team’s net.

Now he’s set to test himself against pros. What will be the biggest challenge?

“Get physically ready,” Bonk said. “I think mentally, I’m there. I understand what’s happening out there, I’m not lost. But I think physically this summer, you’ve got to get a lot bigger, put on some weight, get heavier because you’re not playing against 16-year-olds anymore that are just young and light. You’re playing against some heavy guys, so it’s going to be important.”

The energy of the Vegas Golden Knights won’t just be lighting up T-Mobile Arena this season, now it’s taking flight! Knight Flights, a new partnership with Cirrus Aviation, provides the opportunity for the most die-hard fans to travel in VIP fashion. 

“Bringing Knight Flights back this season was a strategic decision rooted in our long-standing partnership with the Vegas Golden Knights and our belief in the power of experiential travel,” said Eric Grilly, President of Cirrus Aviation Services. “We saw an opportunity to reimagine how fans experience away games by offering something more immersive and elevated. The idea of combining private aviation, exclusive access, and game-day energy just made sense—and aligned perfectly with what Cirrus stands for. Since announcing the return of Knight Flights, the early momentum has been strong, and we’re seeing real enthusiasm from fans who are eager to travel in style and support their team on the road.” 

This experience is the first-of-its-kind. Each curated getaway includes round-trip private jet travel aboard a Cirrus Challenger 850, seating just 15 guests for an ultra-exclusive feel, bespoke in-flight hospitality, premium lower bowl tickets putting fans right in the heart of the action, and white-glove ground transportation provided by Kaptyn, ensuring a seamless ride throughout the duration of the day. 

“Every detail of the Knight Flights experience is curated with the fan in mind,” Grilly said. “We’re fortunate to work with trusted partners like Kaptyn, who share our standard of service, and with the Golden Knights organization, who help us bring this vision to life. Internally, our operations and guest services teams obsess over the details—because for us, it’s not just about the flight, it’s about making every touchpoint feel exceptional.” 

The Knights are entering their ninth year in the NHL, and with that comes the ongoing effort to sustain the strong bond between the team and its fans. The players feed off the energy and support that fans bring. Their 82-game schedule is certainly demanding, so this partnership benefits not only the fans but the players putting in the work on the ice as well. 

“We live, play and work in Vegas - the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World - so we aspire to be five-star in everything we do,” said Matt Lenio, Vice President of Partnerships for the Vegas Golden Knights. “The Golden Knights are proud to align with brands who share our mission to be champions both on and off the ice, value community, and provide fans with benefits and opportunities that other teams may not. Cirrus Aviation Knight Flights fit directly into the team's profile of being innovative and creative in finding new ways our fans can follow their passions.”  

While fans can always stream the games from home, nothing compares to the thrill and unforgettable memories of experiencing the action live. 

“Knight Flights is an easy and convenient way to arrange travel to a VGK game, and it minimizes the work of planning travel arrangements,” Lenio said. “Furthermore, it provides an elevated experience at an affordable rate to help create a memorable and stress-free trip. Walking away from a game or event with a positive view is crucial to fan loyalty, and so are unique experiences where fans can feel like they’re part of something bigger than themselves. Through this partnership, Cirrus Aviation is helping the Golden Knights build long-term relationships with their fans to further improve the connection they have to Vegas and beyond.”  

2025-2026 Knight Flights Schedule

• 10/9/2025— Vegas Golden Knights vs San Jose Sharks 
• 11/20/2025—Vegas Golden Knights vs Utah Mammoths
• 11/22/2025— Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks
• 11/24/2025— Vegas Golden Knights vs Utah Mammoths
• 1/1/2026— Vegas Golden Knights vs San Jose Sharks 
• 1/14/2026— Vegas Golden Knights vs Los Angeles Kings
• 2/1/2026—Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks
• 2/25/2026—Vegas Golden Knights vs Los Angeles Kings

With select dates already released and up for purchase, Cirrus Aviation continues to have playoff games and other tentpole moments on their radar and plan to announce additions as the season progresses. 

“You can feel the energy onboard these flights—people are excited, united, and proud to represent their team on the road,” Grilly said. “It’s more than just a trip; it’s a shared experience that turns strangers into community. As for what fans can look forward to—we’re just getting started. Whether it’s new destinations, surprise onboard activations, or special guest appearances, we’re committed to pushing the envelope and delivering even more moments that fans will remember long after the final buzzer.”

Seats are limited — visit the Knight Flights page to secure your top-tier fan experience like never before!

The Montreal Canadiens’ performance against teams from their division was a significant part of the reason why they were able to qualify for the playoffs last season, and that included their winning record against the Tampa Bay Lightning. While Jon Cooper and his men are no longer the reigning Stanley Cup champs they were in 2020 and 2021, they are still a contending team every year.

The Habs took on the Bolts three times last season and won two of the three duels, outscoring the Florida outfit 11-9 in the season series, showing character and determination.

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The first duel between the two teams came on December 29, just the second game after the Christmas break. Fresh off a 4-0 win over the Florida Panthers, the Canadiens triumphed 5-2 over the Lightning in the second game of a back-to-back. After seeing his backup blank the Cats, Samuel Montembeault put on a strong display, saving 21 of the 23 shots he faced, making key stops when needed. It was a win acquired by the veterans as Christian Dvorak, Jake Evans, Joel Armia, and Brendan Gallagher all found the back of the net after Alex Newhook opened the score in the first period.

A month later, at the Bell Center, the Canadiens showed character coming back from behind to snatch a 3-2 win after Tampa Bay had taken a 2-0 lead. Montembeault was instrumental in the win, making 33 saves as his teammates only tested Andrei Vasilevskiy 22 times. Patrik Laine got a pair of assists, including one at even strength on the game-tying goal, while Jake Evans scored the game-winning goal with 2:15 left in the third.

The Lightning came back strong in the last duel of the season on February 9, posting a 5-3 win while the Canadiens were in the midst of an awful sequence. They were 3-6-1 in their last 10 games and were hoping to bounce back before the 4 Nations Face-Off break. Tampa Bay’s best players stood tall on the night, with Jake Guentzel, Brandon Hagel, Victor Hedman, and Anthony Cirelli all picking up a pair of points.

The secret of the Habs’ success against Tampa last season was their ability to keep the Bolts’ best players in check. In the three games of the series, Guentzel, Hagel, and Cirelli only had three points, meaning they all had only one across the first two games. Hedman and Nikita Kucherov could only manage a pair of points in the season series. The fact that Vasilevskiy only had a .889 save percentage also helped.

Montreal’s team effort and depth scoring were also key since the Bolts blanked both Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki in the season series. Armia, Dvorak, and Gallagher all played significant roles in those wins, and if the Canadiens are hoping to have the same kind of results against Tampa this season, their best players will have to step up. Armia and Dvorak will no longer be there to provide veteran leadership and depth scoring. Newcomers Noah Dobson and Zachary Bolduc won’t be the solution since they had moderate success against the Bolts; Dobson was blanked, and Bolduc had one point in two games. Ivan Demidov could potentially make a difference; however, if the Canadiens find a way to put him in winning conditions, on a second line that manages to develop chemistry.

Tampa Bay didn’t make huge moves this offseason; they didn’t really need to, but they did sign recently reacquired forward Yanni Gourde to a six-year contract extension. The veteran generally does well when playing against the Canadiens; he has 15 points in 21 games. The Bolts' most significant move this offseason probably was to move Isaac Howard, who had let it be known he wouldn’t sign with them, to the Edmonton Oilers for Sam O’Reilly, a Memorial Cup Champion with the London Knights.

The bottom line, however, is that if the Canadiens intend to become contenders, they will need to keep on performing well against teams that know how to win, like Tampa. To win against those teams when it matters the most, you also need to get top performances from your key players. Caufield and Suzuki need to play their usual key role against this team as well.

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