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The players listed below possess plenty of fantasy hockey value for the 2025-26 season, but aren't worth selecting at their current average draft position (ADP). Some managers may still be willing to reach for them, depending on positional need or league settings, but the risk may not be worth the reward and could set back your roster construction going into the upcoming campaign.

[Join or create a fantasy hockey league for the 2025-26 NHL season]

Make sure to comb through the player list before and during your draft to ensure you are getting the most out of our picks.  

Alex Ovechkin, LW/RW, Washington Capitals - 45.5 ADP

Ovechkin became the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer last season, surpassing Wayne Gretzky's total of 894. The 40-year-old Ovechkin found the back of the net 44 times in 2024-25 to reach 897 markers. He didn't let a fracture in his left fibula stand in the way of making history. Despite being limited to 65 appearances, he also added 29 assists, 237 shots on target and 110 hits. However, there are some red flags ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.

He is coming off a season in which he registered a career-high 18.6 shooting percentage, and he likely won't have the same level of motivation. Father Time eventually comes for us all, and the veteran winger has already been managing a lower-body injury during training camp. While most players receive a boost while playing in a contract year, it could be a distraction for Ovechkin amid questions regarding his future in the NHL. However, he could still be capable of scoring 30-35 goals and reaching the 60-point plateau to provide potential fantasy managers with some value.  

Matthew Tkachuk, LW/RW, Florida Panthers - 61.3 ADP

After being limited to 52 appearances last season, Tkachuk will miss the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign. He suffered a torn adductor muscle and a sports hernia injury on the same side while representing the United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February. He sat out the final 25 games of the regular season before playing through the injuries in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The 27-year-old winger was productive in the postseason, supplying eight goals and 23 points in 23 games to help the Panthers win back-to-back titles.

However, it could keep him on the shelf until December or January. Tkachuk may also attempt to expedite his recovery to ensure he plays for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. His health makes him a risky proposition on draft day, and his stock could fall a bit more before the start of the NHL season. However, he remains a high-end stash option because he will likely be productive when he's in the lineup. 

Lane Hutson, D, Montreal Canadiens - 50.7 ADP

Hutson became a popular waiver-wire addition during his 2024-25 rookie campaign. He chipped in six goals and led the Canadiens with 60 assists in 80 games en route to capturing the Calder Trophy, which is awarded annually to the league's top first-year player. The 21-year-old also ranked second on the team with 26 power-play points. Hutson surpassed the franchise's previous bests held by Chris Chelios for assists and points by a rookie blueliner. Even though the diminutive defender posted only 40 hits and a minus-2 rating, he managed to tack on 123 blocked shots. However, he was credited with a mere 91 shots on goal, collecting three shots in a game on just four occasions.

Fantasy managers should expect more bang for their buck for the 10th defenseman off the board. He doesn't have the same category coverage as his peers within that range. His power-play production could take a slight hit in the 2025-26 season if Montreal creates a 50/50 or 60/40 split with newcomer Noah Dobson picking up minutes on the second combination. Hutson should be a productive player during his sophomore season, but paying a premium for him could hurt prospective poolies in leagues that tally up more than points.  

Darcy Kuemper, G, Los Angeles Kings - 52.1 ADP

Kuemper entered the 2024-25 season as a top bounce-back candidate, and he proved to be an excellent value pick for fantasy managers. However, he is being overrated now as the eighth netminder off the board. The 35-year-old should post solid numbers again in a system that allowed the second-fewest shots against per game last campaign. However, the premium being asked to take him is far too high.

The defense corps also took a hit in the offseason when Vladislav Gavrikov signed with the New York Rangers in free agency, and the Kings dealt Jordan Spence to Ottawa. The Kings added Brian Dumoulin and Cody Ceci as replacements, but they represent a significant downgrade. That could have an impact on Kuemper's numbers, and Forsberg could cut into his start count.  

Juraj Slafkovsky, LW/RW, Montreal Canadiens - 109.4 ADP

Slafkovsky accounted for a career-high 51 points in 79 games last season after earning 50 points across 82 appearances in 2023-24. He also dropped from 20 goals on a 13.2 shooting percentage to 18 on a 13.5 shooting percentage. He did tie for 26th among forwards with 194 hits in the 2024-25 campaign, making him an intriguing option for banger leagues. Fantasy managers may be thinking he is due for a breakout year, but he shouldn't be in the top 110.

He is being selected ahead of Dylan Holloway, Kirill Marchenko, Roope Hintz, Andrei Svechnikov, Dylan Guenther, Tom Wilson, Zach Hyman and several others with far greater upside. That will likely change as the start of the year draws closer. Slafkovsky could also face competition in the top six from offseason acquisition Zachary Bolduc or Calder Trophy favorite Ivan Demidov, who has an ADP of 126.6, this season.   

Alexander Nikishin, D, Carolina Hurricanes - 108.7 ADP

Nikishin suited up in four games with the Hurricanes in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, earning one assist, three shots on goal, two blocked shots and 17 hits. Before coming to North America, he showcased considerable offensive upside in the KHL. He registered 45 goals and 157 points across 193 games over the past three seasons. However, the NHL is a significant step up in competition, and he may not be in the spots necessary to make an impact in his first season.

He is poised to crack Carolina's roster, serving in a depth role and likely seeing time with the second power-play unit. Shayne Gostisbehere, who has an ADP of 127.8, has been occupying the point on the top man-advantage combination during training camp. The 23-year-old Nikishin could reach 100 shots and 100 hits in the 2025-26 campaign, but being a factor offensively may be a challenge unless injuries open up an opportunity for more responsibilities. He has far more fantasy value in keeper formats, and it's surprising to see his draft stock be this high right off the bat. 

ST. LOUIS – Dylan Holloway scored twice, but the St. Louis Blues are now winless in four preseason games after a 5-3 loss against the Dallas Stars at Enterprise Center on Tuesday.

Philip Broberg also scored, and Jordan Kyrou assisted on both Holloway goals in his preseason debut; Pius Suter also made his Blues debut and had an assist, and Joel Hofer was the first Blues goalie to play an entire preseason game; he made 25 saves.

The Blues dropped to 0-3-1 and will host the Ottawa Senators on Thursday in their final home preseason game before finishing against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday.

Here are some observations of the game:

* Holloway is ready for Oct. 9 – Cut to the chase. Holloway is ready for Oct. 9 when the Blues open the regular season against the Minnesota Wild.

When this guy told me he wants to be one of the best players in the league, there was a reason why.

Not only did Holloway scored twice on Tuesday, but just watching the game, his attention to detail right now seems to be pristine. And there’s a reason, according to Blues coach Jim Montgomery.

“What you love about him is his second- and third-effort on pucks,” Montgomery said. “I've said it a couple times last year, this is a second- & third-effort league and he is relentless on pucks. That's why he comes up with pucks. That's why everyone wants to play with him. If I was to ask anyone on our team, ‘Who do you want on your line?’ He’s going to be one of the first names that comes up because you know you’re going to get the puck, you know you’re going to get offensive opportunities because he’s relentless, and I think he brings us real good energy and a real good role model as to how you need to play. We need more of that permeating throughout our lineup in training camp right now.”

Holloway’s stick always seemed to be in the right place, he’s going to get more opportunity on the penalty kill this year, his hustle and jump on pucks is second to none, and he never gives up on a play. That’s what he’s shown previously, and he did so again in a meaningless preseason game playing it like he still has to win a job.

“He’s just in tremendous shape, he can handle a lot of ice,” Montgomery said. “Being able to get him PK, we’ll be able to get him up into the 18, 19 minutes a night, which the way he’s continuing to develop, that’s the kind of ice time he’s demanding right now with his play.”

* Suter looked solid between Holloway, Kyrou – It’s the first time this preseason since the coaching staff has put Suter between those two wingers that they’ve played in a game and each finished a plus-1.

Suter (16:24) led the ice time of the trio, with Kyrou (16:07) and Holloway (15:59) following.

Holloway led the Blues with six of their 24 shots on goal on nine attempts and scored two beauties.

His first cut the Stars’ lead to 2-1 at 12:56 of the first:

His second made it a one-goal game at 4-3 off a beautiful give-and-go with Kyrou at 13:07 of the third period:

But the fact that playing against a loaded Dallas lineup, one of the Blues’ top lines going into the season wasn’t penetrated defensively. They looked to be on the same page quite often.

“I thought it was pretty good,” Montgomery said of the line. “Obviously they scored the two goals, but besides the two goals, I didn't think they gave up all that much and I thought they continued to support each other really well.”

* Kaskimaki is a puck hound – One under-the-radar forward continues to be 2022 third-round pick, Aleksanteri Kaskimaki, who was a plus-1 in 15:04 in the game on Tuesday.

I can best describe Kaskimaki as a puck hound, someone who also doesn’t give up on a play.

“I’m trying to just show my compete and my skills in the O-zone and the 200-foot game,” Kaskimaki said. “If you compare (training camp) it to last year, it feels like you have a little more time there on the ice.”

Kaskimaki skated with Dalibor Dvorsky and Alexey Toropchenko on Tuesday.

“His awareness without the puck primarily,” Montgomery said regarding Kaskimaki’s play. “He’s really shown that his defensive side of the game is really good. He’s almost too safe. I understand. He doesn’t want to give up much. I imagine he’s been well-coached in the past.

“He seems to be a puck hound on top of pucks, and he’s always on the right side, so he always seems to be in a good position to handle pucks.”

* Skinner is making a case for himself – Montgomery mentioned multiple times how he’s noticed defenseman Hunter Skinner’s game, and the fourth-round pick in 2019 by the New York Rangers who was acquired in the Feb. 9, 2023 trade that sent Vladimir Tarasenko and Niko Mikkola to the Rangers is making things very interesting for that seventh defensive position.

“I feel a lot better,” Skinner said. “Trying to prove that I can play and put my best foot forward this year, hoping for an opportunity. Just keeping my head down, just keep working, grinding through it hoping for an opportunity.

More so just focusing on my game. I think worrying about playing physical, playing my game, getting shots through, playing hard.”

Skinner played 18:28 and had two shots on goal with four hits despite being a minus-2 when both goals against went in off partner Leo Loof’s skates.

“I like how assertive he is,” Montgomery said. ‘I think he’s had a good training camp. He’s assertive physically, he’s assertive taking away time and space. He’s not afraid to hold onto pucks and make a play, so that confidence is nice to see in a young defenseman.”

Should Matthew Kessel be looking over his shoulder? I would.

* Broberg – After what Montgomery said he didn’t think Broberg had his best first period, the top-pair defenseman in this game, playing with Justin Faulk, asserted himself quite nicely and scored a beauty of a goal. In the second at 15:24 to tie the game 2-2.

It came after Dvorsky won a face-off, Broberg took the puck off the left wall, gave Casey DeSmith a small pump fake like he was coming with it to the front of the net just enough to freeze the Stars goalie long enough to pull off a wraparound goal:

Broberg was a plus-1 in 21:03 of ice time.

“I think he’s really starting to understand how gifted he is as an athletic hockey player,” Montgomery said. ‘What I really liked is I didn’t think ‘Broby’ had the best first period, but he responded within the game, found his game and became dominant in the second period and I thought he was good in the third. It’s good because there was a lot of times last year, and I thought he started to do that at the end of the season last year, but when he would kind of have an off period, he’d get down on himself, and I could see him talk to himself tonight. He talked himself into being a good player tonight. That’s a real good sign of a young pro becoming a better pro.”

* Lucic verdict still out there – It was the second preseason game for Milan Lucic, who is in training camp on a professional tryout.

The 37-year-old tied with Loof and Mathieu Joseph for a game-high five hits in 13:58, his second preseason game after playing Sept. 21 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“Just personally, feeling better overall,” Lucic said. “I felt like I did some good things, especially on the forecheck. Made some better plays coming out of the D-zone, but I still feel like I’ve got another gear. Good thing is two more preseason games here to play. Every day just get a little bit better.

“Having a good practice yesterday just helped me with my confidence. Even more so getting that first game out of the way. I almost felt like a rookie again, the jitters and being nervous and everything like I was that first game in Columbus. I felt little bit more comfortable, but I have more and I’m going to get a chance to prove that. That’s on me.”

Lucic strained his groin a week ago Tuesday and missed the next three practice days and did not play last Saturday against the Blackhawks but was back on the practice ice Monday. He skated on a line with Joseph and Alexandre Texier.

“I thought he skated much better,” Montgomery said. “I thought he was around the puck, I thought he caused disruptive plays. Next couple games with the opportunity, he’s going to be able to make more. We’ve got to see more with the puck, but we know he’s capable of it. It was good to see him have a good game.”

* See ya, Leo – It was a tough game for Loof, the Blues’ 2020 third-round pick. He did play a physical game, but his skating wasn’t always there, and his positioning in front of his net left a little to be desired.

The Stars scored two goals that caromed in off Loof’s skates, including one by former Blue Radek Faksa late in the second period.

Loof played 18:06 and had a shot on goal to go with a team-high tying five hits but his days are likely numbered and will be heading back to Springfield in short order.

* Texier not helping his cause – For someone playing for his job, it just hasn’t been there for Texier, who played 15:22 and had two giveaways in the game.

The Blues have tried the 2017 second-round pick an opportunity at wing and at center but he was just too non-existent in the game, and defensively, it has to be there if the offensive game isn’t working, and I didn’t think he was sound without the puck either.

The Blues are going to have to make a decision soon enough, and there are younger forwards (Kaskimaki, Dvorsky, Otto Stenberg) and Lucic who would love to grab one of those final jobs.

* Dvorsky needed that "it" game – Training camp has been pretty solid for Dvorsky, the No. 10 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, but for him to really knock down the door to a job out of training camp, I thought he needed to back up his solid performance from Saturday with another one tonight.

Dvorsky did have an assist on the Broberg goal when he won the face-off, but he only won four of 12 and was a minus-1 in 15:58. Dvorsky also had three missed shots on goal, and for a player who predicates himself to be dangerous offensively, it just wasn't there on Tuesday against a strong Dallas side.

I think the center will get at least another look in a preseason game before a decision is made, but Tuesday could have really made the decision difficult with backed up with another solid performance.

Fowler, Parayko Have Meshed From The Word Go, St. Louis Blues Top Defensive Pair Now Locked In Through 2029MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- Cam Fowler wasn’t the only one smiling after agreeing to terms on a three-year, $18.3 million contract extension that will keep the defenseman with the St. Louis Blues through the 2028-29 season. Blues Prospect Wins KHL Rookie Of The Week For Second Consecutive WeekSt. Louis Blues prospect Mikhail Fyodorov has won the KHLrookie of the week for the second consecutive week.

There are a lot of stories coming out of Pittsburgh Penguins' training camp this year. Many of them involve young players making an impression and pushing for the NHL roster.

And one of those young players has been the biggest surprise of the pre-season.

Penguins' forward prospect Ben Kindel has been a standout in camp this year, and his play has opened a lot of eyes. The 18-year-old center was selected 11th overall by the Penguins in the 2025 NHL Draft after registering 35 goals and 99 points in 65 WHL games with the Calgary Hitmen last season, and there were many unfamiliar with Kindel's game who assumed that he was a reach at his draft position.

But one look at Kindel's tape from last season goes to show that his performance in training camp up to this point should come as no surprise at all. 

Although he may be a hair undersized at 5-foot-10, 182 pounds, Kindel doesn't let that get in the way of what he's trying to do. His hockey IQ, vision, edgework, and playmaking ability have always been hallmarks of his game, and those skills are translating on the ice at the NHL level - that is, at least in the pre-season.

Kindel seems to be getting better with every game he plays, and along with each game has come better competition. He hasn't missed a beat, and it has led some to conclude that Kindel should be given the "nine-game trial."

In the NHL, a junior player can play in nine NHL games before their entry-level contract would kick in at Game No. 10. If a player stays in the NHL beyond nine games, a year of their contract is burned regardless of whether or not they get sent back to their junior team at any point that same season. 

Mailbox Monday: What Will The Penguins' Final Roster Look Like?Pittsburgh Penguins' training camp is beginning to draw to a close, and there is sure to be a lot of drama in the next several days. 

So the Penguins have some decisions to make regarding Kindel, especially if he continues to build on every performance. He is slated to appear in the Penguins' sixth pre-season game against the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday, and he is the only player on the camp roster who has participated in four games up to this point. 

Should the Penguins give Kindel a nine-game trial, or should they just send him back to Calgary for another season of development instead? Here is the case for and against the nine games.

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The case for

Quite simply, Kindel has earned it.

Yes, there have been other young forwards in the pre-season up to this point who have proven themselves worthy of the NHL roster conversation, and many of them are suiting up Wednesday as well. This includes Tristan Broz, Avery Hayes, Filip Hallander, and Ville Koivunen. 

Cases can be made for each of these players to make the NHL roster. They're all older, more established, and less raw than Kindel, and they've earned more looks up to this point.

But Kindel has been the standout for the past two games. He only has one goal in four games, but this is a situation where the stat sheet doesn't tell the entire story. Kindel was one of the best players on the ice against the Columbus Blue Jackets during Marc-Andre Fleury's final game as a Penguin, and he was the best player on the ice in a tight-checking, well-played 2-1 win against the Detroit Red Wings on Monday.

Penguins Oust Blue Jackets On 'Fleury Night' In PittsburghWhat a game, what a night, and what a player.

Many have argued, "Why burn a year of his entry-level contract on a terrible Penguins' team? Let him dominate the WHL next season."

While this argument is understandable to an extent, it's also, arguably, a bit nonsensical.

Kindel is not a step behind. His reads are up to speed. He's keeping up with the speed of the game in general, and he doesn't look out of place in the slightest.

If a player is showing that he is NHL-ready - at least, for now, in this short sample - what is the hurt of giving him a nine-game trial to prove it's not a fluke? If a player is NHL-ready, what exactly is the holdup? Why hold a player back when he proves he can rise above the occasion? Is dominating a level he quite possibly has outgrown best for his development, or is putting him in a league of players who will challenge him better?

The easy road would be to send him back to Calgary. But there is logic in giving him nine games to prove he belongs. If he does, he'll be an important player for the Penguins this season. If he does not, he'll be sent back to juniors like nothing happened. There's not really much risk involved.

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The case against

Even if the argument can be made that Kindel is NHL-ready, there are simply too many other factors that make giving Kindel the nine-game trial a bit too complicated. 

For one, there are other players who are deserving. Koivunen is likely to make the roster, anyway.  Broz and Hayes have been every bit as good as Kindel for most of camp. And Hallander has not only had a pretty good camp, his experience and all-around game as a two-way center give him a bit of a leg-up on others. 

Penguins' Mid-Camp Prospect Tiers: Who Is Most Likely To Make NHL Roster?We're officially 10 days into Pittsburgh Penguins' training camp, and if one thing is for certain, there has been a ton of competition. 

In a perfect world, all of these players and Kindel crack the roster. But, that's simply not realistic. There are too many other players - veterans and carryovers from last season alike - in the mix in addition to the prospects already, and several of them - such as Robby Fabbri, Connor Dewar, and Philip Tomasino have turned in strong camps as well. 

This makes it unlikely that Kindel would be able to stick, anyway. So why bring him into the fold in the first place?

The other part of this concerns the Penguins' goals for this season. It's anyone's guess what the roster is going to look like on Oct. 7, and Dubas said that the "young guys are coming." It will be interesting to see just how many young guys make the roster over veterans. 

But there is a world - and not one that seems far-fetched at all - where having all that youth on the roster makes the Penguins better than expected this season. Depending on organizational goals, is that the best thing for 2025-26?

Having Kindel on the roster would give a boost to the lineup, and, maybe, the Penguins don't want to get too carried away with winning a ton of hockey games this season. Then again, maybe they do. A team is never going to try to lose on purpose, of course. But GMs have the power to make losing more or less likely.

Keeping Kindel would make that less likely. So it's certainly something to think about.

'The Young Guys Are Coming': 3 Observations From Dubas's Pre-Season Press ConferenceOn Thursday, the Pittsburgh Penguins opened their 2025 training camp with a few words from general manager and president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas. 

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CHICAGO - The Chicago Blackhawks made their return to the United Center on Tuesday for the fourth preseason game. Their first three all came on the road, and now they will close out the exhibition season with some home cooking. 

The Detroit Red Wings were the first team to visit, and they dressed a lineup that included some of their regular-season players in addition to some roster hopefuls. 

The Blackhawks dressed a group that will mostly make up their group on opening night against the Florida Panthers in Sunrise. There are a few positional battles to sort out, which were a part of Tuesday's evaluation, but most of their lines from this game will be how things look next week. 

It wasn't necessarily due to terrible overall play, but some bad mistakes led to the Blackhawks being down 3-0 after two periods. Whether it was them pressing too hard offensively or not being strong on the puck after failing to score on a power play, they weren't good enough.

Early in the third period, however, the Blackhawks finally got on the board. Colton Dach drove the net all on his own and put one away. 

That would be all they were able to muster up, as the 3-1 score stood up as the final. Shots on goal favored the Blackhawks, 28-19. 

Part of the issue for Chicago in this one was the power play. The Blackhawks went 0/6, despite having double-digit chances with the man advantage. Even one goal in that situation could have turned the tide of the whole game. They got their looks, and now it's just about executing. 

Spencer Knight, who played the whole game, gave up three goals on 19 Detroit shots. It wasn't his best performance, but all three goals had more problems with skaters in front of him making errors that are hard to recover from.

Although goalies making tough saves can be the difference in winning and losing, none of these three goals against can be viewed as his fault alone. 

Dach's goal showed that he will bring some offense in addition to the physicality that he has brought in other preseason games so far. Other Blackhawks players had their chances, but they weren't able to bury on Cam Talbot, who had a great game in his own right. 

There are two more preseason games to go for Chicago. The Minnesota Wild will be at the United Center on Friday night, followed by the St. Louis Blues on Saturday. Both of those games, in addition to the film that came from this one, will provide clarity on the roster that will eventually exist come Tuesday. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

NHL preseason games are rarely memorable anyway, but the Ottawa Senators’ matchup Tuesday night in Quebec City against the Montreal Canadiens is one they’ll want to forget as quickly as possible. The Senators were dominated on the scoreboard and in the alley, falling 5–0 to the Habs, who got a whopping 10 power play chances on the night.

In a week when Ottawa had hoped to win over hockey fans in Quebec City, it ended with the pro-Canadiens crowd singing “Na Na Hey Hey Goodbye” in the final minutes.

It wasn’t a great outing for backup goalie Leevi Meriläinen, who played the entire game and surrendered five goals on 23 shots. Brendan Gallagher helped set up three of the five goals.

Quebec City hockey fans were treated to two of the easiest shutouts this week that you’ll ever see. In Sunday’s game, Linus Ullmark stopped 14 shots in Ottawa's 2–0 win over the Devils, and on Tuesday, Jakub Dobeš needed only 16 saves for Montreal to blank the Senators.

The night was also filled with fights, which all went Montreal’s way. Jan Jenik got into two of them and left with a bloody nose that looked like it might be broken. That was part of a bizarre second period sequence that somehow left the Sens having to try and kill of a 5 on 3 power play. 

So Struble cross-checks Jenik in the face. Two fights break out. Both Struble and Xhekaj win their fights handily, and both get in a big late punch in after their opponent has fallen to the ice. Jenik's nose has exploded.

The Habs end up with a 5 on 3 out of it? pic.twitter.com/st9E2sKUk3

— Steve Warne (@SteveWarneMedia) October 1, 2025

The Sens had over 100 penalty minutes in this game, and the Habs made them pay for their sins, going 3 for 10 on the power play. It doesn't seem to matter if it's preseason or regular season, Sens-Habs games always seem to boil over. They'll be destination viewing again this season. 

The Senators were technically the home team, but the atmosphere felt like a game at the Bell Centre. This neutral-site series in Quebec City was intended to help Ottawa grow its fan base in the region, but former Nordiques fans in Quebec City have either long since converted to being Montreal supporters or were drowned out by Habs fans who bought up the tickets and made the trip up the highway. 

The Senators slip to 2-2 in preseason and will be in St. Louis for their next game on Thursday night.

More Sens Headlines From The Hockey News Ottawa:
Broadcast Frustrations Resurface For Senators Fans
Ullmark Sharp In Senators Victory, Embraces The Struggle
Stephen Halliday's NHL Stock Continues to Rise
Former Senator Josh Norris Embraces New Opportunity To Prove Himself
Will This Be Shane Pinto's Breakout Year With The Senators?
Batherson Joins Ottawa Senators List Of Preseason Injury Concerns

When Pittsburgh Penguins' center Evgeni Malkin made his NHL debut on Oct. 18, 2006, it was impossible to predict that - two decades later - one of the rarest stories in professional sports would still be ongoing. 

But, 20 years later, the beat goes on for Malkin and the "Big Three" in Pittsburgh - and now, they're being celebrated. 

In their home opener against the New York Islanders on Oct. 9, the Penguins will celebrate 20 years of Malkin, Sidney Crosby, and Kris Letang all playing together for the same franchise. Since the day Malkin entered the league - he was the last of the three to make his debut - Crosby, Malkin, and Letang have combined to play in 3,726 NHL games and combined for 3,703 points - which is the highest point total for a trio of single-team teammates in NHL history.

The Penguins will celebrate the longest-tenured trio in North American professional sports history with a pre-game ceremony, and they will also offer various food, ticket, and prizes packages throughout the game and some throughout the season starting Oct. 9.

Malkin, Crosby, and Letang have expiring contracts in consecutive seasons, beginning with Malkin's at the end of the 2025-26 season and Letang's at the end of the 2027-28 season. Penguins' GM and POHO Kyle Dubas said that the organization will revisit Malkin's contract situation during the 2026 Olympic break to gauge whether or not he plans to retire at the end of the season.

Mailbox Monday: What Will The Penguins' Final Roster Look Like?Pittsburgh Penguins' training camp is beginning to draw to a close, and there is sure to be a lot of drama in the next several days. 

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