The Pittsburgh Penguins made some changes to their defense during the offseason, specifically on the left side. They let Matt Grzelcyk and P.O. Joseph go after their one-year contracts expired on July 1 and brought in Parker Wotherspoon on a two-year contract, Caleb Jones on a two-year contract, and Alexander Alexeyev on a one-year contract. 

Penguins general manager and president Kyle Dubas identified the left side of the defense as a primary concern heading into the offseason, and he began to address it, at least in part, with these signings. Wotherspoon will definitely play after having a solid season with the Boston Bruins last year, while Jones and Alexeyev will compete for spots on the left side with Ryan Graves, Ryan Shea, Owen Pickering, etc. Fans have to remember that there won't be a quick fix with the blue line, and it'll likely take multiple offseasons for Dubas to assemble the defensive group he wants. 

As for Alexeyev, he comes over from the Washington Capitals after spending the last several years with the organization. He was the 31st overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft and spent time in both the AHL and NHL before the Capitals moved on from him after the season. 

He played in eight NHL regular-season games last season, compiling no goals or points, but did have some decent underlying numbers. He played a little over 123 minutes at 5v5, and when he was on the ice, the Capitals had 58% of the expected goals, 54.5% of the scoring chances, and 55.5% of the high-danger chances. Nobody knows if those numbers would hold over a full season, but they're at least intriguing. 

Alexeyev also played in all 10 of the Capitals' playoff games this past season since their blue line was a bit banged up, and he produced some mixed results. His expected goals percentage was 54% and his high-danger chance percentage was at 58%, while his scoring chance percentage was at 47.8%.

In 2023-24, he played in 39 games for the Caps, logging just over 509 minutes of 5v5 ice-time. His expected goal percentage was 49.7%, while his scoring chance percentage and high-danger percentage were at 51.2% and 51.5% respectively. The latter two numbers aren't bad, but certainly not as good as this year's numbers in his eight-game regular-season sample. 

He has played in 80 NHL games, scoring one goal and accumulating eight points, and has also appeared in 145 AHL games, tallying six goals and 52 points. He made his debut with the AHL's Hershey Bears during the 2019-20 season and compiled three goals and 21 points in 58 games. 

Alexeyev has size (6'4), which Dubas and Co. have been wanting to add to their lineup for this year. The Penguins got pushed around in front of their net quite a lot last season and want that to change for the 2025-26 season. Alexeyev can skate fairly well for someone who is 6'4 and 229 pounds, but could stand to be more physical along the boards. He also has offensive capabilities, but needs to utilize them more effectively. 

He hasn't been given a lot of runway to show what he can do at the NHL level, but that could change, especially if he can beat out the competition for a full-time spot. He's also heading into a contract year and will be a restricted free agent next year, so he'll want to show out as much as he can. 

On This Day In Penguins' History: Lemieux's Purchase Of Penguins ApprovedWhen looking back through

If he can't, it's no scratch off the Penguins' backs since they only signed him for one year, and he is set to make only $775,000 at the NHL level. He'd also provide solid depth at the AHL level if he doesn't make the NHL team, as Dubas and his staff aim to continue building the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for the future. 

 However, with training camp coming towards the end of the month, Alexeyev's main focus will be making the squad and helping the Penguins improve. This is a Penguins team that wants to be a lot better in their own zone this year, having conceded too many scoring chances and goals last season. It was one of several reasons why they missed the playoffs for a third-straight year. 

(Data via Natural Stat Trick). 

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The Athletic ranked all 32 NHL prospect pipelines, placing the New Jersey Devils 12th overall.

The Devils trailed behind: 11. Detroit Red Wings 10. Nashville Predators 9. New York Islanders 8. Columbus Blue Jackets 7. Philadelphia Flyers 6. Seattle Kraken 5. Montreal Canadiens 4. Anaheim Ducks 3. Utah Mammoth 2. Chicago Blackhawks 1. San Jose Sharks. 

Despite that, the Devils boast a strong group of prospects, several of whom are expected to make an impact this season.

First up is Anton Silayev, the defenseman selected 10th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft. He spent last season in the KHL with Torpedo, recording 12 points in 63 games.

Next is Arseniy Gritsyuk, one of the most anticipated players in training camp. After several years in the KHL, the 2019 fifth-round pick (129th overall) has come to North America and is ready to push for an NHL role. The forward is expected to be a valuable addition to the Devils.

Lenni Hämeenaho, a 20-year-old forward, is another name to watch. Drafted 58th overall in 2023, he has spent most of his career in Finland. While he will appear at training camp, the Devils are unlikely to rush him, preferring to give him more time to develop if needed.

On defense, Seamus Casey split last season between New Jersey and Utica. He logged 14 NHL games and 20 with the AHL’s Comets, and now looks to secure a more permanent spot with the team.

From Boston University come two additional prospects: Shane Lachance and Mikhail Yegorov.

Lachance, a forward, posted 30 points with the BU Terriers last season. Originally a sixth-round pick of Edmonton in 2021, he was acquired by New Jersey in a March 5, 2025, trade. He’ll aim to crack the roster alongside his college teammate.

Yegorov, a goaltender, made an immediate impact in the NCAA last season. While he’s unlikely to see NHL minutes this year, the tall netminder projects as an important part of the Devils’ future.

With a talented prospect pool in place, Devils fans should be optimistic about what lies ahead.

The St. Louis Blues had a successful 2024-25 season, as they got back into the playoffs for the first time since 2022. Dylan Holloway was a significant reason for the Blues' turnaround, as he broke out in a major way during his first season in St. Louis. 

Holloway proved that he is capable of being an impactful top-six forward in the NHL, as he posted new career highs with 26 goals, 37 assists, 63 points, 165 hits, and a plus-21 rating in 77 games. This was after he recorded nine goals and 18 points in 89 games during his two NHL season with the Edmonton Oilers. 

Clearly, the change of scenery benefited Holloway immensely. Yet, when noting that Holloway is still just 23 years old and only 166 games into his NHL career, he undoubtedly has the potential to continue to get better. In fact, with the way he scored this year, the possibility of him blossoming into a 40-goal scorer should not be ruled out. This will especially be the case if he gets the chance to play on a line with star playmaker Robert Thomas. 

If Holloway can hit a new level with his goal scoring next season while continuing to make an impact with his physicality, it would only make the Blues an even more challenging team for opponents to face off against. It will be interesting to see what kind of year Holloway has, but he should only get better as he continues to gain more experience. 

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We may never see another player quite like former Detroit Red Wings dynamic forward Pavel Datsyuk, a 2024 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee who also recently bid goodbye to competitive hockey by hosting the “The Magic Game” in his hometown of Yekaterinburg.

The name of the event was a clear nod to the nickname affectionately given to him by Red Wings fans, the “Magic Man,” and it featured numerous past and present Russian NHL players. It concluded with a special lap by Datsyuk around the ice, waving goodbye during a roaring ovation from the crowd in attendance at UMMC Arena

FAREWELL MAGIC MAN 🙌
A final lap for Pavel Datsyuk. #TheMagicGame#LGRWpic.twitter.com/TFMdN2TERz

— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) August 30, 2025

Last month, the Red Wings announced that Hall of Famer and former teammate Sergei Fedorov will be honored with his iconic No. 91 jersey being raised to the rafters at Little Caesars Arena before a January game in the upcoming 2025–26 season. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

Datsyuk was asked whether he thought that his No. 13 he wore for his entire career in Detroit could be next on the list to be permanently retired, and in his typical fashion, he responded with humor. 

"I think there aren’t many players in North America who want to take number 13 anyway," he said. "After all, they don’t even count the 13th floor in buildings there." 

Datsyuk’s career was defined by his dazzling stickhandling, which often left opponents looking completely outmatched.

During his time with the Red Wings, he won the Stanley Cup twice and helped lead the team to within one game of a second consecutive championship in 2009.

He also captured the Selke Trophy multiple times as the NHL’s best defensive forward and was a Hart Trophy finalist as the league’s Most Valuable Player during the 2008–09 season.

Despite his long list of accomplishments, Datsyuk admitted shortly after the announcement of Fedorov’s impending jersey retirement that he didn't think much about his own potential jersey retirement, and that he wouldn’t be bothered if another player eventually wore No. 13 for the Red Wings. 

“I’ve never really thought about it. Sometimes people ask me… Sometimes the thought crosses my mind, but nothing concrete," he said in early August. "If I went to every game and looked up at the rafters, that would be different. But what if someone takes number 13 now and plays really well? Then they’ll remember me even more often. So I’d be happy if someone played well wearing 13 in Detroit.”

It wouldn't be a surprise if Datsyuk makes an appearance at Little Caesars Arena on Jan. 12 for Fedorov’s jersey retirement ceremony, which will likely feature several of his former teammates who now work within the organization, including Steve Yzerman, Nicklas Lidstrom, Kris Draper, and Kirk Maltby. 

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We may never see another player quite like former Detroit Red Wings dynamic forward Pavel Datsyuk, a 2024 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee who also recently bid goodbye to competitive hockey by hosting the “The Magic Game” in his hometown of Yekaterinburg.

The name of the event was a clear nod to the nickname affectionately given to him by Red Wings fans, the “Magic Man,” and it featured numerous past and present Russian NHL players. It concluded with a special lap by Datsyuk around the ice, waving goodbye during a roaring ovation from the crowd in attendance at UMMC Arena

FAREWELL MAGIC MAN 🙌
A final lap for Pavel Datsyuk. #TheMagicGame#LGRWpic.twitter.com/TFMdN2TERz

— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) August 30, 2025

Last month, the Red Wings announced that Hall of Famer and former teammate Sergei Fedorov will be honored with his iconic No. 91 jersey being raised to the rafters at Little Caesars Arena before a January game in the upcoming 2025–26 season. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

Datsyuk was asked whether he thought that his No. 13 he wore for his entire career in Detroit could be next on the list to be permanently retired, and in his typical fashion, he responded with humor. 

"I think there aren’t many players in North America who want to take number 13 anyway," he said. "After all, they don’t even count the 13th floor in buildings there." 

Datsyuk’s career was defined by his dazzling stickhandling, which often left opponents looking completely outmatched.

During his time with the Red Wings, he won the Stanley Cup twice and helped lead the team to within one game of a second consecutive championship in 2009.

He also captured the Selke Trophy multiple times as the NHL’s best defensive forward and was a Hart Trophy finalist as the league’s Most Valuable Player during the 2008–09 season.

Despite his long list of accomplishments, Datsyuk admitted shortly after the announcement of Fedorov’s impending jersey retirement that he didn't think much about his own potential jersey retirement, and that he wouldn’t be bothered if another player eventually wore No. 13 for the Red Wings. 

“I’ve never really thought about it. Sometimes people ask me… Sometimes the thought crosses my mind, but nothing concrete," he said in early August. "If I went to every game and looked up at the rafters, that would be different. But what if someone takes number 13 now and plays really well? Then they’ll remember me even more often. So I’d be happy if someone played well wearing 13 in Detroit.”

It wouldn't be a surprise if Datsyuk makes an appearance at Little Caesars Arena on Jan. 12 for Fedorov’s jersey retirement ceremony, which will likely feature several of his former teammates who now work within the organization, including Steve Yzerman, Nicklas Lidstrom, Kris Draper, and Kirk Maltby. 

Follow Michael Whitaker On X

Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites. 

Five years ago today, the Vancouver Canucks started goaltender Thatcher Demko in his first career playoff game — an elimination game against the Vegas Golden Knights. Demko came in for an injured Jacob Markström who had started every game in the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs up until that point. By this point in time, Vancouver was down 3–1 in the series, with Demko’s playoff debut being a high-stakes elimination game. Reasonably so, many were apprehensive about starting Demko, a relatively new goalie, with the series on the line. Though, as fans soon learned, there was very little to worry about. 

Before Markström’s injury, the Golden Knights had asserted their dominance over a Canucks team that hadn’t made the postseason since 2015. They kicked the series off with a commanding 5–0 win. While Vancouver took Game 2 in a solid 5–2 effort, Vegas quickly came away with the series lead by winning 3–0 in Game 3, and 5–3 in Game 4. Golden Knights goaltender at the time, Robin Lehner, showed his stuff by registering two shutouts in the first four games of the series. However, as great as Lehner was, part of this was also due to Vancouver’s lack of quality chances. 

With their playoff hopes on the line, Vancouver’s roster shakeup in Game 5 came in the form of Demko’s start. Prior to this, Demko had only played in a total of 37 NHL games. During the 2019–20 season, he put up a 3.06 GAA and .905 SV%, as well as a record of 13–10–2 in 25 starts. In 2017–18, Demko played in five playoff games with the Utica Comets of the AHL, posting a 2.69 GAA and .972 SV%. Tension was high among the fanbase, as they weren’t exactly sure what to expect from the goaltender in his playoff debut. 

Vegas was a high shot-volume team during the 2020 Playoffs — a trend they continued during Game 5 of the Pacific Division Finals — but that didn’t stop Demko from wowing fans across the entire league. The Golden Knights piled 10 shots on Demko in the first period, 18 in the second, and 15 in the third to finish the game with 43 shots on goal. Stunningly, Demko stopped all but one. 

The lone goal to go past Demko was a wrist shot from Shea Theodore that gave Vegas a 1–0 lead with five minutes left in the second period. Though, not looking to waste such a stellar performance from Demko, the Canucks tied it up less than a minute later off a deflection from Brock Boeser. A tally from Elias Pettersson at the beginning of the third period gave Vancouver the 2–1 lead — one that would hold once the buzzer sounded at the end of the game. 

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Four years after this performance, Demko was nominated for his first Vezina Trophy and finished in second place with a 2.45 GAA and .918 SV% in the 2023–24 season. While injuries have negatively impacted his playing time within the past year, Demko entered the 2025 off-season healthy, signing a three-year contract extension that will kick in after the 2025–26 season. With at least four more years of Demko as a member of the Canucks, time will tell whether Vancouver can make the postseason in a similar fashion to 2020 — this time with Demko as their starter. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

While the 2024-25 season was a tough year for the New York Rangers, Brett Berard was a nice bright spot from it. The 22-year-old forward played in his first 35 NHL games with the Rangers in 2024-25, where he posted six goals and 10 points. He also performed well while down in the AHL with the Hartford Wolf Pack, recording nine goals and 23 points in 30 games.

Overall, Berard took a nice step in the right direction in his development this past season. More importantly, he showed clear promise when given the chance to play for the Rangers. Now, as we head into the 2025-26, he is undoubtedly a clear breakout candidate for the Blueshirts. 

Berard has the upside to become a very solid forward in the NHL, and it would be significant for the Rangers if he taps into his potential more in 2025-26. It is not a secret that the Rangers' top nine could use a boost, and Berard taking that next step would certainly help things on that front. 

It is going to be interesting to see what kind of season Berard has from here, but it is hard not to feel excited about his future with the Rangers. 

Rangers Superstar Nearing 2 Big Milestones Since his arrival in the NHL during the 2015-16 season with the Chicago Blackhawks, Artemi Panarin has been a star. This remains the case today with him being 33 years old, as he recorded 37 goals and 89 points in 80 games this past season with the 

Don LaGreca, who will become the New Jersey Devils-MSG Networks play-by-play when NHL play begins, has had a long history doing Rangers telecasts. 

Blueshirt fans have enjoyed his play-by-play work on radio and television. They'd love him to stay in New York but his new gig is a dream-come-true for this pro's pro.

Kind enough to answer questions delivered by my sidekick Solon Mihas, we offer you the first of several reminiscing questions about LaGreca's Blueshirt days and nights. For openers we asked Don what he considered the "broadcasting high" during his Rangers'  (Take it away, Don.)

"It would definitely have to be Game One of the Rangers-Kings 2014 Stanley Cup Final. Doc Emrick was supposed to do the game on NBC but his father-in-law had passed away so he couldn't do it. Kenny Albert replaced Doc and I got to replace Kenny on radio. 

"I had done a ton of playoff games before, but had never done a Cup Final. And what made it extra special was that the Rangers hadn't been in the Final up to that point for 20 years; which, for me, made it surreal.

"What still had to be determined was who the Rangers would play; because the Blackhawks and Kings were still in their Conference Final. I was rooting for Chicago because if the Hawks won it also would mean I'd also get to see the Mets at Wrigley Field. 

"I'm a big Mets fan and to see them at Wrigley Field would have been something, but the Blackhawks lost  and I wound up flying to L.A. to get ready for the Stanley Cup Final. (I had been to Cup Finals before but never to actually call a game.)

"That Game One in L.A. was an amazing experience for me, especially near the end of regulation with the game still tied. I had a great call as the Rangers were short-handed and the Kings were on the verge of scoring on a power play. 

Honoring Labor Day With Some Hardest Working RangersLabor Day was designated to honor workers. The Maven would like to honor four hard-working

"Then our penalty-killer Hagelin had a breakaway but he was stopped by Quick and  we went to overtime. I felt it would be really cool to call a Cup Final winner for the Rangers but Justin Williams scored for the Kings and it was over.

"Even though the Rangers lost it still was an amazing experience and definitely the number one broadcasting highlight for me."

(TOMORROW: What it was like for LaGreca – a lifelong Devils' fan – working Rangers games for years.)