Jimmy Vesey Is Reportedly Seriously Considering Playing In The KHL

Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Former New York Rangers forward Jimmy Vesey may not be on an NHL team this upcoming season, but that does not mean he’s done playing hockey. 

According to Daria Tuboltseva of RG Sports, Vesey may play in the KHL next season with SKA St. Petersburg reportedly the frontrunners to land the veteran forward. 

“Jimmy has been asking a lot of questions about how things work in the KHL and is seriously considering offers from the top European league,” Tuboltseva wrote.

Vesey spent the first three seasons of his career with the Rangers, and he actually made a return to New York in 2022 after playing for the Buffalo Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, and New Jersey Devils. 

This past season, Vesey’s role with the Rangers diminished to the point where he was scratched out of the lineup for multiple games in a row. 

His frustration ultimately got the best of him, and he spoke out about his limited playing time. 

“I love being a Ranger, and I think everyone knows that. The six years I’ve been here have been the best and most fun I’ve had as a player,” Vesey said via Larry Brooks of The New York Post. “But this stretch where I haven’t dressed for the last [nine] games and have no indication that this is going to change, it’s been extremely difficult for me.”

Will Cuylle Will Be The Rangers' Biggest X-Factor For the 2025-26 SeasonWill Cuylle Will Be The Rangers' Biggest X-Factor For the 2025-26 SeasonThe New York Rangers’ biggest X-factor going into the 2025-25 season is Will Cuylle. 

“It seems that I’ve fallen out of favor and have just been cast aside over an extended period of time. It feels like I have no role or purpose on this team.

At around the time of the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, Vesey, along with Ryan Lindgren, were traded to the Colorado Avalanche.

It Takes A Ville: Ville Koivunen In For A Potentially Special First Full Season With Penguins

By Dillon Collins, Features writer

How many 21-year-olds have the chance to play alongside one of the greatest of all-time? Ville Koivunen found himself occupying such rarefied air during his first taste of NHL play with the Pittsburgh Penguins, operating on the top line alongside Bryan Rust and future first-ballot Hall of Famer Sidney Crosby.

“When I went to the NHL, it was like a dream come true,” Koivunen said. “It was pretty nice and a lot of fun. And, of course, playing with Crosby and Malkin, Rusty, those guys were pretty awesome.”

But Koivunen skating alongside ‘The Kid’ wasn’t initially in the cards. While the Oulu native has all the requisite tools to become a top-six attraction, it appeared he’d spend his future plying his trade with the likes of Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov after the Carolina Hurricanes selected Koivunen in the second round of the 2021 draft, 51st overall.

Instead, Koivunen – then in his third season with Liiga squad Karpat – became the key prospect Pittsburgh coveted in the 2024 deadline deal that saw winger Jake Guentzel head to Carolina. “It came out of the blue,” said Koivunen, now 22. “I was pretty surprised when I woke up and saw the trade. The first hour, I was a little bit shocked. Like, what’s going to happen now? And what do I have to do now? But after one hour, I was very excited about where I get to with the organization, what they have done and what kind of players they have. And of course, the good part, maybe getting chances to play in the NHL, too.”

Koivunen made an immediate impact in his first full season with the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, blowing past expectations to lead the team with 56 points and tie for third in goals with 21 in 63 games, earning a spot on the AHL’s all-rookie team. “They’re a great group,” Koivunen said. “It was easy to play with them – a skillful group. And coach Kirk (MacDonald) helped me a lot. He gave me a chance to play with my strengths and use them, which was pretty great.”

"When I went to the NHL, it was like a dream come true."
- Ville Koivunen

After being recalled from the AHL on March 28, Koivunen made his NHL debut two days later in a 1-0 Pittsburgh win over Ottawa. And he showed no sign of jitters, putting up seven assists in his seven games after being held off the scoresheet in Game 1. With the NHL squad missing the playoffs, Koivunen earned further big-game experience after returning to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and banking two assists in as many games in the Baby Pens’ brief post-season run. “Every game, I felt a little more comfortable,” he said. “I felt like I could make more plays in every game and have a lot of confidence. The game’s faster, of course. There’s a lot of skill – like how they play with the puck. I just went there to play with my strengths, and then you feel it, and it is a little bit like a different level.”

Though Koivunen is not big at six-foot and 172 pounds, he has a great complete level, and his smarts and natural playmaking ability make him dangerous. He now must work on rounding out his game and adjust to the rigors of North American hockey. “I’m just trying to get more explosiveness and be faster, and also a bit more strength on the battles, on the corners and trying to win the puck battles more,” he said. “That’s the biggest thing I’m trying to improve.”

And what has he learned from his brief time sharing a dressing room with Crosby, Malkin and Co.? “I just try to watch how they play and what they do off the ice,” he said. “Just try to do everything as good as you can. I think that’s going to help me a lot there.”

Ville Koivunen (Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)
"I just try to make the team. In the NHL, I think that's the biggest thing that I have to think about."
- Ville Koivunen

Back home in Oulu, Koivunen spends his summer maintaining a consistent training regimen while reconnecting with friends and family. “I just try to practise hard, train hard and also be with my friends – hang out with them,” he said. “I haven’t seen them the whole season, so that’s a lot of fun. Also, with my girlfriend, I try to do something with her and hang out with my family, too. I don’t see them a lot, either, so I try to be with them. I also like to play every kind of ball game. I like to play tennis, golf and also floorball sometimes.”

Koivunen is in a prime position to benefit from a change in philosophy within a Penguins front office that is increasingly focused on the future. With the Pens’ youth movement intermingling with the Crosby-led legacy squad, Koivunen has every opportunity to establish himself as much more than an everyday NHLer. “I just try to make the team,” Koivunen said of his mindset going into next season. “In the NHL, I think that’s the biggest thing that I have to think about. I just try to make the team.”


This article appeared in our 2025 Champions issue. Our cover story focuses on the 2025 Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, specifically the elite play of defenseman Seth Jones, along with a recap of each game of the Cup final. We also include features on Sharks center Will Smith and Kraken defenseman Ryker Evans. In addition, we give our list of the top 10 moments from the 2024-25 NHL season.

You can get it in print for free when you subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/Free today. All subscriptions include complete access to more than 76 years of articles at The Hockey News Archive.

3 Great Predators Performances In 2024-25

Jan 16, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) takes a shot on goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

As disappointing as the 2024-25 season was for the Nashville Predators, there were some milestones and positive moments that, albeit briefly, put smiles on the faces of Preds fans.

Here’s a look at three great moments from last season.

Forsberg Gets No. 300

Jan. 16, 2025, was a great night all around for the Predators.

Filip Forsberg’s 300th career goal came in a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks at Bridgestone Arena.

Forsberg’s goal tied the score at 2-2 with less than three minutes left in the third period, as he fired a slapshot home from the right side.

After overtime came and went without a tally from either side, the Predators got scores from Gustav Nyquist, Ryan O’Reilly and Steven Stamkos in the shootout to secure the victory. It was the Preds’ first shootout of the season.

Forsberg’s milestone wasn’t the only thrill that night. The team honored the inaugural class of its Preds Golden Hall. David Poile, Shea Weber and Pekka Rinne dropped the ceremonial puck before the game got underway. It was also the Predators’ 1001st victory in franchise history.

Saros Notches Career Win Milestone

On March 25, 2025, Preds goalie Juuse Saros earned his 200th career victory in a road triumph over the Carolina Hurricanes at LenovoCenter.

Saros stopped 34 shots in the win, while Luke Evangelista helped the cause with two goals. The victory also gave Nashville a sweep of the season series with the Canes.

Michael Bunting put the Predators in front 1-0 on a power-play goal, his second as a member of the Preds.

Evangelista’s backhander made the score 2-0 before Carolina narrowed the gap on a second-period goal by Taylor Hall.

Saros was tested throughout the game, particularly in the middle frame, but made some clutch saves to keep his team in front.

Evangelista added some insurance after tipping in a Marc Del Gaizo shot in the third.

Saros became the sixth Finnish-born goaltender in NHL history to reach the 200-win milestone. Rinne tops that list with 369.

Preds End Season With Win Over Dallas

Playoffs wouldn’t be in the cards for the Predators, but pride still mattered as they took on the Dallas Stars in the final game of the regular season Apr. 16 at Bridgestone Arena.

It was Fan Appreciation Night, and the home crowd definitely appreciated the send-off. Five different Preds skaters scored in a 5-1 victory over the Stars, who ultimately got to the Western Conference Finals.

Jordan Oesterle, Jakub Vrana, Justin Barron, Jonathan Marchessault and Ryan O’Reilly all tallied for the Preds, while Juuse Saros made 29 saves in goal to conclude the season.

The game didn’t start in Nashville’s favor. Mason Marchment scored just 16 seconds in to give the Stars a 1-0 lead.

That was all the visitors would get, however, as the Preds reeled off five unanswered goals for a 5-1 lead after 40 minutes.

Saros took care of the rest, and the Smashville faithful gave their team a final ovation after the game.

3 AHL Rookies Who Could Be Difference Makers for the San Jose Barracuda

The San Jose Sharks have an abundance of prospects who will be battling for spots in the NHL and the American Hockey League this coming season.

While there will be other prospects playing in a variety of leagues, today we’re going to focus on prospects who are expected to start the season with the San Jose Barracuda. Let’s take a look at some first-year professionals (in North America) whom head coach John McCarthy will be able to count on to push the Barracuda forward and further their development.

Quentin Musty had a strange 2024-25 season. It started with a holdout, as he refused to report to the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League to start the season. Eventually, he’d return to the team, but it did prevent him from participating in the Wolves’ first 12 games.

Less than a month after reporting to Sudbury, Musty broke his hand against the Oshawa Generals. Not only did that knock him out of OHL action, but it also prevented him from participating in the IIHF World Junior Championship.

All things considered, he had a pretty strong season for the Wolves but did take a step backward production-wise. During the 2023-24 season, he averaged 1.92 points-per-game, a number that dropped to 1.79 in his most recent outing. While there are many factors that contributed to that occurring, it wasn’t ideal to see from one of the Sharks’ top young prospects.

Musty made his debut with the Barracuda after the Wolves’ season came to an end. He played three games in the AHL, but failed to record a point. Once he gets a full professional training camp, though, things will likely be different for the 20-year-old winger.

The Sharks’ second-round selection in the 2023 NHL Draft, Kasper Halttunen, has been successful at any level he’s played. He’s played at essentially every level of Finnish hockey, including a 27-game stint with HIFK in Liiga. Although he only recorded a single assist during that stretch, playing at that level as a teenager was an impressive feat in its own right.

Halttunen made the jump to North America immediately after being drafted, joining the OHL’s London Knights, where he’d play alongside fellow Sharks prospect Sam Dickinson.

Under head coach Dale Hunter, Halttunen made an instant impact for the Knights. In his first year, he scored 32 goals and totaled 61 points in 57 games while learning to adapt to the North American style of play.

After training camp last season, general manager Mike Grier faced a decision regarding Halttunen. As a European, Halttunen was eligible for the American Hockey League as a 19-year-old, but they also had the option to send him back to London alongside Dickinson and allow them to develop together.

Ultimately, Halttunen was given a stint in the AHL to start the season, but it didn’t last long. In six games, he scored two goals and added two assists before Grier decided to send him north of the border to rejoin the Knights in London.

From there, Halttunen had a decent showing with the Knights; however, he didn’t take the jump forward that the Sharks were likely hoping for during the regular season. He finished with 21 goals and 41 points in 38 games for the Knights, but he truly found his game in the playoffs.

During the postseason, Halttunen was a key contributor to the Knights’ run to the Memorial Cup. He scored 15 goals in 17 games, while adding six more assists for a total of 21 points. When all was said and done, Halttunen would end the season as a Memorial Cup champion and was named MVP of the OHL playoffs.

Now, he gets the opportunity to show what he can do as a full-time professional. The 2025-26 season will undoubtedly be crucial for Halttunen’s development, and if he’s not a key player for the Barracuda, that could indicate some issues ahead.

Like Halttunen, Igor Chernyshov does have a decent amount of professional experience. He played a total of 39 games in the Russian Kontinental Hockey League before making the jump to North America for the 2024-25 season. However, he has only played three professional games on North American soil. He made his debut for the Barracuda late last season and scored his first goal in May against the Colorado Eagles in his only postseason appearance under McCarthy.

The Sharks’ second-round pick in 2024, Chernyshov, brings size and powerful skating to the team, but also much more. According to Elite Prospects’ 2024 Draft Guide, “Chernyshov excels at anticipating openings and exploiting them. He beats defenders consistently by properly setting up his dekes, building up speed below the puck, and then attacking with a speed advantage and working give-and-goes.”

Although the Sharks will have an abundance of high-end talent at the AHL level, the Barracuda’s rookies should be some of McCarthy’s most dominant players. If that's not the case, it could be cause for some concern.

Photo Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images

Alex Laferriere agrees to three-year, $12.3 million contract to stay with Kings

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Forward Alex Laferriere has agreed to a three-year, $12.3 million deal to stay with the Los Angeles Kings.

The Kings announced the deal Saturday for Laferriere, who was a restricted free agent this summer after playing out his entry-level contract.

The 23-year-old Laferriere had 19 goals and 23 assists last year for the Kings, emerging as a dependable scorer in only his second NHL season. He largely played on the right wing alongside center Quinton Byfield, another key member of Los Angeles’ young core, and high-scoring Kevin Fiala.

A third-round pick in the 2020 draft, Laferriere has 31 goals and 34 assists in 158 games for the Kings.

New Los Angeles general manager Ken Holland has taken care of his most pressing summer contract issues after the signing of Laferriere, but Holland said last month that he would be eager to sign Adrian Kempe to a long-term deal as the Swedish forward heads into the final season of his current contract.

Blackhawks Have The Prospects To Eventually Build A Solid Bottom-Six

The Chicago Blackhawks have made some impactful draft picks since Kyle Davidson took over as the General Manager. A lot of the notable ones are the most talented. Players like Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, and Anton Frondell come to mind as the high-end, skilled players in the organization. 

With that said, you need depth to make deep runs in the NHL. Not every prospect is going to reach the highest level and become a superstar. Being a high-end offensive producer isn’t needed out of every player on a playoff-worthy roster. The top teams have a balanced lineup. 

Nothing is set in stone, but the foundation of a solid bottom six may already be in Chicago’s pipeline. A free agent or acquired player via trade is likely to join the mix more than once, but the Blackhawks have a lot of young talents who could form great 3rd and 4th lines. 

Oliver Moore, Ryan Greene, AJ Spellacy, and Colton Dach are your prototypical bottom-six forwards who can play with speed and physicality. There are also players like Sacha Boisvert, Nick Lardis, and Marek Vanacker who have top-six ceilings with bottom-six abilities. 

What is it you look for from guys who play this role? Forechecking, winning face-offs, and producing offensively here and there is a great start. 

When you think back to Chicago’s championship years, guys like Dave Bolland, Michael Frolik, Marcus Kruger, and Viktor Stalberg made a huge impact in the bottom six. Players like Andrew Shaw and Bryan Bickell were those guys who could play anywhere in the lineup. They’re all important complements to stars like Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, and Patrick Sharp. 

Not all of these prospects are going to end up with the Chicago Blackhawks. Not all of them will even be NHL players for long. The ones who accept their role and execute it the best will stick around.

Chicago still has some work to do to add/develop star power at the top of their forward group, but the organizational depth gives them a chance to build a great bottom-six. 

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