When the Toronto Maple Leafs' season ended in the second round at the hands of the Florida Panthers, talk immediately switched to the big forwards, Mitch Marner and John Tavares, approaching free agency.

This is an important discussion, especially given the hole Toronto must fill if, and more likely when, Marner walks out the door on July 1. Tavares seems probable to remain a Maple Leaf after he, GM Brad Treliving and head coach Craig Berube had positive discussions during Toronto's exit meetings.

Aside from the two big fish, and RFA Matthew Knies, who still needs a contract, nothing else needs fixing in the top-six. Of course, Toronto would probably like to add a second-line center to shift Tavares down and add another winger into the mix. That could come via free agency or a trade in the summer.

But what about the Maple Leafs' bottom six?

Seven of Toronto's 36 goals (nearly 20 percent) in the playoffs came from players from the third and fourth lines. To make it simpler: Max Pacioretty (an unrestricted free agent) and Max Domi had three, and Nick Robertson had the other.

Report: Maple Leafs Among Possibilities For Panthers’ Brad Marchand In Free AgencyThe Toronto Maple Leafs will reportedly be one of the teams vying for Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand's services if he hits the open market on July 1st.

Steven Lorentz, Calle Jarnkrok, Scott Laughton, and Bobby McMann went the entire playoffs without finding the back of the net. McMann had three assists; however, you'd like to see him score at least once when he had 20 goals in the regular season.

In a perfect world, Toronto would like to see more scoring from their depth, especially when you look at a team like the Florida Panthers, who's getting over 28 percent of their goals from their bottom six. The Maple Leafs could have pushed to the finals had they gotten more depth scoring.

How can the Maple Leafs give their bottom-six a makeover?

In Game 7 against the Panthers, Toronto iced this bottom-six:

McMann - Domi - Pacioretty
Lorentz - Laughton - Jarnkrok
David Kampf, Ryan Reaves, and Nick Robertson were scratches

I don't have many gripes with the third line. Although Domi has a $3.75 million cap hit for the next three seasons, which is high, he produced at key moments for Toronto in the postseason, including the overtime-winner in Game 2 against the Ottawa Senators.

He, too, is well-loved in the dressing room, which is a positive.

McMann's playoff was a bit disappointing, and I think he'd agree with you if you questioned him about it. However, at $1.35 million for another season, plus his goalscoring touch, I think it would be smart for Toronto to hold onto him.

Given it was his first-ever NHL playoffs, there's plenty to learn before Toronto gets there again next April.

Tanev, Gourde Contracts And Deferred Money Provide A Blueprint For Maple Leafs To Re-Sign John TavaresJohn Tavares wants to stay in Toronto. The former Maple Leafs captain made that clear when speaking to reporters shortly after his team was eliminated in the second round at the hands of the three-time defending Eastern Conference champion Florida Panthers. This desire, coupled with the Maple Leafs' cap constraints, begs the question: How can both sides find common ground? Reportedly, the Maple Leafs would welcome him back, but not at the hefty $11 million per season salary cap hit that came with his first contract in Toronto. Recent contracts signed by other players offer a compelling glimpse into potential solutions.

There doesn't have to be much said about Pacioretty. He came in on a professional tryout, signed a one-year, $873,770 contract, and did what was asked of him in the playoffs despite not playing much of the regular season. I believe you could throw Lorentz into the same category as Pacioretty. He didn't score, but he executed his role perfectly in the postseason.

This line will probably look entirely different entering next season, especially if Tavares gets bumped down to the third-line center spot. But I'd agree with bringing Pacioretty and Lorentz back.

Pacioretty is reportedly "leaning toward" a return to the Maple Leafs.

The biggest question marks, though, lie within the fourth line and the scratches. The Maple Leafs have David Kampf, a scratch for all but one game in the playoffs, signed for two more years at $2.4 million.

I'm curious whether Toronto's looking to move that money out or not.

Maple Leafs 2025 Offseason: Breaking Down Salary Cap Space and Free Agent PrioritiesThe calendar will soon flip to June and for the Toronto Maple Leafs, their focus will be on roster construction for the 2025-26 NHL season.

Ryan Reaves has one more year at $1.35 million. At the trade deadline, the 38-year-old cleared waivers and joined the Toronto Marlies. He didn't score through 35 NHL regular-season games. The veteran forward, though, is loved by his Maple Leafs teammates, and Toronto would only suffer a $200,000 cap hit if they were to bury Reaves in the minors.

He'd probably like to play more in the NHL next season, so I wonder if he'd ask the Maple Leafs for a trade elsewhere.

After requesting a move last summer as a restricted free agent, Nick Robertson is once again an RFA. Toronto held onto him last September, signing the forward to a one-year, $875,000 contract. The 23-year-old scored 15 goals in 69 games, setting a new career-high. His playoff time was limited, though, to just three games.

Robertson is arbitration-eligible this summer, meaning he could push for more money. After a limited role and not much playing time in the playoffs, does he want to remain a Maple Leaf?

Data Suggests Veterans Outperform in NHL Playoffs—Should the Maple Leafs Follow the Trend?The 2025 Stanley Cup Final has served as a stark reminder: experience, that intangible quality often dismissed for youthful exuberance, can be a decisive weapon in the grind of playoff hockey. From Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand's tenacious performance to 40-year-old Edmonton Oilers forward Corey Perry, veteran players are not just participating—they're driving their teams. This raises a critical question for NHL general managers, particularly those like the Toronto Maple Leafs—perpetually searching for the missing piece: Should teams pay a premium for veteran players, banking on their experience to translate into playoff success?

Calle Jarnkrok was injured for most of the season before returning late and playing in the playoffs. He has one more year remaining at $2.1 million. Berube enjoyed having the forward, so maybe Jarnkrok finishes his contract with the Maple Leafs?

He scored one goal through 31 games this season, regular season and playoffs combined.

Finally, on the list is Scott Laughton, who joined the Maple Leafs at the trade deadline. It took the 31-year-old a bit of time to find his footing with his hometown club, but you could notice him becoming more comfortable as the playoffs approached.

He finished the postseason with no goals and two assists in 13 games. Laughton, though, was engaged throughout the entirety of the playoffs. You could argue that a first-round pick and Nikita Grebenkin was a tad much for the forward, but it's not horrible value at $1.5 million for another season.

What's The Ideal Contract For Matthew Knies And The Maple Leafs?When the Toronto Maple Leafs plucked Matthew Knies out of the second round (57th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft, his potential was unknown.

Toronto's bottom-six doesn't need much of a makeover, really.

If you hold onto Domi, Laughton, McMann, Jarnkrok, Lorentz, and Pacioretty, there are six players who you could use, plus depth. You could argue a shake-up is needed, especially when looking at the goal-scoring in the playoffs.

Or you could hope that the same players in a similar scenario get it done next May.

This summer, Toronto has nearly $26 million in cap space. It could be $29.5 million if they moved on from Kampf and Reaves. Either way, the Maple Leafs have plenty of room for movement, even more so if Marner walks out the door on July 1.

That leaves opportunity for change within the top six, and if Treliving prefers, alterations in the bottom of Toronto's lineup.

To give themselves the best chance of landing KHL star Maxim Shabanov, it looks like the Philadelphia Flyers are going to have to guarantee a regular NHL role for the forward right away.

Shabanov, 24, scored 23 goals, 44 assists, and 67 points for Traktor Chelyabinsk this season, finishing third in the KHL in scoring behind former NHLers Nikita Gusev (69) and Josh Leivo (80).

The undrafted forward prospect was a finalist for the KHL Golden Stick (MVP), which was ultimately awarded to Leivo.

Shabanov has been heavily connected to the Flyers since as far back as January, and despite some recent reports jumping the gun and indicating otherwise, the silky 5-foot-8 forward won't choose his next NHL team until after the 2025 NHL Draft and free agency.

From there, according to agent Alex Chernykh in an exclusive interview with Championat, he, Shabanov, and the rest of the camp will evaluate inquiring NHL teams' situations and choose the best one that will also allow Shabanov to play.

"We communicate with clubs, listen to their proposals, analyze," Chernykh said. "Utah, Vegas. Boston is interested, the Islanders are also interested.

"There is only one criterion. We just need to look at the team rosters and understand where he will really have his place, as it happened with other players. So that he comes there and plays in the NHL, so that he has time and a place in the roster.

"For us, the player’s place in the NHL plays a role. We are now thinking more about the player, not the club."

Chernykh notably did not mention the Flyers by name, but Philadelphia, with low expectations and a young team, is uniquely equipped to put Shabanov on the ice early and often right out of the gate.

And while Chernykh also represents the Islanders' Maxim Tsyplakov, he doesn't have the same draw or star power that Matvei Michkov has.

It could mean nothing, ultimately, but it should be noted that Michkov and Nikita Grebenkin follow Shabanov on Instagram, and Shabanov follows them. Grebenkin's follow came after the initial premature reports of Shabanov joining the Flyers.

Is there a recruiting effort going on behind the scenes? Who knows?

But as far as paperwork goes, Chernykh and his client will wait to see which NHL team, including the Flyers, makes the best pitch to them after the dust settles on free agency after July 1.

For more Flyers news and up-to-date coverage, visit The Hockey News and like our Facebook page. Follow us on 𝕏: @ByJonBailey,  @TheHockeyNews

With the 2025 NHL Draft just two weeks away and free agency to follow directly after, the trade market is beginning to heat up.

And the Pittsburgh Penguins seem to be near the center of it all. 

As reported by hockey insider Pierre LeBrun of TSN, the Penguins appear to be the only "true sellers" in the NHL this offseason, which puts them in a prime position to gather a lot of assets - and, possibly, some prior to and during the draft.

Forward Bryan Rust's name has been thrown around a lot over the past several days, as has Rickard Rakell's - both of whom are fresh off career years. The other guy in the spotlight is defenseman Erik Karlsson, who originally came to the Penguins via a blockbuster trade with the San Jose Sharks during the summer of 2023. 

There is an overarching sentiment from many fans and people around the organization that expect Karlsson to be dealt as soon as this summer. While the Penguins may be wise to get out of the $10 million they owe Karlsson for two more years during a period of transition - or, at least, a large portion of it - it may not be as simple as it seems.

And, really, this has nothing to do with immovability or trade value. Yes, Karlsson has a full no-movement clause, and he would have to approve any potential destination. But the 35-year-old three-time Norris Trophy winner - who recorded 11 goals and 53 points to go along with a minus-24 last season - certainly still has value to contending teams looking for a puck-moving defenseman.

Actually, the issue lies within the Penguins' roster.

As reported by The Athletic's Josh Yohe - and as gathered from general sentiment throughout the organization - the Penguins realize that Kris Letang's role as a top-pair defenseman are likely behind him. While this is no fault of Letang's - Father Time is unbeaten - it does pose a problem for the Penguins if they truly are trying to deal Karlsson. 

Right now, they have no other defenseman on their roster or in their system who can handle top-four minutes. But - assuming Matt Grzelcyk walks in free agency - they also have no one on the left side who is capable of playing consistent top-four minutes.

Bryan Rust Is In High Demand. But Is Trading Him The Right Call?It is sure to be an active, interesting offseason for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Therefore, if Karlsson is dealt, the Penguins - even if they're not planning to be contenders next season - would need to somehow get their hands on three top-four defenseman prior to the onset of the 2025-26 season. Again, playing top-four minutes isn't only about skill, ceiling, and ability. It's also about physically and conditionally being able to handle the demand of top-four minutes.

Even for a team in the basement, that's a steep hill to climb. Sure, Owen Pickering and Harrison Brunicke may be in the roster conversation next season, but neither are ready for a full-time top-four role, nor should the Penguins expect them to be.

In other words, if the Penguins are to deal Karlsson, they need to make sure they have a plan to replace him. If they don't, there's a good chance that would be a massive, massive problem for Pittsburgh.

Penguins Have Prime Opportunity To Target Lightning's Top Forward ProspectOn Saturday, news about the potential departure of the Tampa Bay Lightning's top prospect from the organization became one step closer to being confirmed.

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Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab  to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!  

Photo Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

With the 2025 NHL Draft just two weeks away and free agency to follow directly after, the trade market is beginning to heat up.

And the Pittsburgh Penguins seem to be near the center of it all. 

As reported by hockey insider Pierre LeBrun of TSN, the Penguins appear to be the only "true sellers" in the NHL this offseason, which puts them in a prime position to gather a lot of assets - and, possibly, some prior to and during the draft.

Forward Bryan Rust's name has been thrown around a lot over the past several days, as has Rickard Rakell's - both of whom are fresh off career years. The other guy in the spotlight is defenseman Erik Karlsson, who originally came to the Penguins via a blockbuster trade with the San Jose Sharks during the summer of 2023. 

There is an overarching sentiment from many fans and people around the organization that expect Karlsson to be dealt as soon as this summer. While the Penguins may be wise to get out of the $10 million they owe Karlsson for two more years during a period of transition - or, at least, a large portion of it - it may not be as simple as it seems.

And, really, this has nothing to do with immovability or trade value. Yes, Karlsson has a full no-movement clause, and he would have to approve any potential destination. But the 35-year-old three-time Norris Trophy winner - who recorded 11 goals and 53 points to go along with a minus-24 last season - certainly still has value to contending teams looking for a puck-moving defenseman.

Actually, the issue lies within the Penguins' roster.

As reported by The Athletic's Josh Yohe - and as gathered from general sentiment throughout the organization - the Penguins realize that Kris Letang's role as a top-pair defenseman are likely behind him. While this is no fault of Letang's - Father Time is unbeaten - it does pose a problem for the Penguins if they truly are trying to deal Karlsson. 

Right now, they have no other defenseman on their roster or in their system who can handle top-four minutes. But - assuming Matt Grzelcyk walks in free agency - they also have no one on the left side who is capable of playing consistent top-four minutes.

Bryan Rust Is In High Demand. But Is Trading Him The Right Call?It is sure to be an active, interesting offseason for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Therefore, if Karlsson is dealt, the Penguins - even if they're not planning to be contenders next season - would need to somehow get their hands on three top-four defenseman prior to the onset of the 2025-26 season. Again, playing top-four minutes isn't only about skill, ceiling, and ability. It's also about physically and conditionally being able to handle the demand of top-four minutes.

Even for a team in the basement, that's a steep hill to climb. Sure, Owen Pickering and Harrison Brunicke may be in the roster conversation next season, but neither are ready for a full-time top-four role, nor should the Penguins expect them to be.

In other words, if the Penguins are to deal Karlsson, they need to make sure they have a plan to replace him. If they don't, there's a good chance that would be a massive, massive problem for Pittsburgh.

Penguins Have Prime Opportunity To Target Lightning's Top Forward ProspectOn Saturday, news about the potential departure of the Tampa Bay Lightning's top prospect from the organization became one step closer to being confirmed.

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Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab  to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!  

Photo Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

The Florida Panthers are one victory away from winning the Stanley Cup.

Florida continued their excellent play on the road during the postseason, defeating the Edmonton Oilers 5-2 in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final.

The Panthers now return to South Florida holding a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.

It was Florida who cracked the ice, and the goal came on an amazing individual play by veteran Brad Marchand.

Directly of a center ice faceoff that Anton Lundell pushed through Leon Draisaitl, Marchand jumped past the Oilers’ front line and snatched the puck from behind Draisaitl.

Marchand then made a great juke to get by Mattias Ekholm and speed in on a semi-breakaway, lifting the puck over the glove of Calvin Pickard to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead at the 9:12 mark.

Shortly after Florida killed off an Oilers power play, Matthew Tkachuk came flying down the right side of the ice and into the Edmonton zone, but his shot was blocked by Jake Walman.

Sam Bennett was right there to pick up the puck and quickly fire it past a suddenly out of position Pickard to double the Cats’ lead late in the opening period.

The story of the middle frame – much like in Game 4 – was Florida’s penalty kill.

This time, the Panthers picked up a pair of massive PKs and didn’t allow Edmonton to gain any momentum, holding on to their two-goal lead and carrying it into the third.

Early in the final frame, Marchand scored what could very well end up being the goal of the Final.

Once again right off a faceoff, this time in the Florida end, Marchand came flying through the circle and pushed the puck up the ice.

After it was poked ahead by Eetu Luostarinen, Marchand sped into the Oilers zone, dangled the puck through Walman’s legs and beat Pickard five-hole to extend Florida’s lead to 3-0.

Just over two minutes later, Connor McDavid gave the dormant Rogers Place crowd some life, making a nice inside-out move and beating Sergei Bobrovsky, getting the Oilers on the board with 12:36 to go.

Unfortunately for the home fans, the excitement would be short lived.

An absolute snipe of a wrist shot by Sam Reinhart went through two Oilers defenders and past a screened Pickard, restoring Florida’s three-goal lead just 46 seconds later.

With Pickard on the bench, Corey Perry fired a long slapshot that got past a screened Bobrovsky, cutting Florida’s lead to 4-2 with 3:13 left. 

With 1:19 to go, Eetu Luostarinen sealed the victory with an empty net goal from all the way in Florida’s zone.

The Panthers now head back to Sunrise with a chance to win their second straight Stanley Cup.

What a time to be alive.

On to Game 6.

QUICK THOUGHTS

Florida has scored the first goal in four straight Final games.

Marchand has now scored six goals during the Stanley Cup Final, the first player to do that in 37 years.

As for the playoffs, Marcahand is up to ten goals and 20 points.

Reinhart has scored goals in each of Florida’s past three games. He has six points during the run.

Anton Lundell has points in four straight after picking up an assist on Marchand’s goal.

Sasha Barkov has three assists over his past two games. He had the primary helper on Reinhart’s third period snipe.

Luostarinen has multi-point outings in two of his past three games. 

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Photo caption: Jun 14, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) celebrates his goal with teammates against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period in game five of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. (Sergei Belski-Imagn Images)

It goes without saying that NHL franchises often find their future stars in the early rounds of the draft. That includes the Ottawa Senators, whose best three players, Jake Sanderson, Tim Stutzle, and Brady Tkachuk, were all top five overall selections.

But several popular and productive players were drafted after the third round, well after a lot of the NHL media had left the draft and gone home.

Here’s a look at the top 10 Senators draft picks (along with a few links from our archives) who were selected in the fourth round or later, yet went on to make a lasting impact with Sens fans. We steered away from excellent late Sens picks like Pavol Demitra or Brooks Laich, who made their names elsewhere.

1. Daniel Alfredsson – 133rd Overall (6th Round, 1994)

No surprise here. Alfredsson remains the greatest player in franchise history. Drafted in the sixth round, Alfie racked up 1,108 points in 1,246 games and served as team captain for 13 seasons. He won the Calder Trophy in 1996, led the team to the 2007 Stanley Cup Final, and went from sixth-rounder to Hall of Famer.

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2. Mark Stone – 178th Overall (6th Round, 2010)

The Senators had only four draft picks in 2010 and had they known Stone would turn out so well, they probably wouldn't have chosen Jakub Culek and Marcus Sorensen before taking Stone in round six with their third pick. Stone became one of the best wingers in franchise history before being traded to Vegas in 2019.

Gotta See It: Former Senator Mark Stone Leads Vegas to the Stanley CupSenators fans weigh in on their emotions Tuesday night after Vegas captain Mark Stone was presented with the Stanley Cup.

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3. Chris Neil – 161st Overall (6th Round, 1998)

Chris Neil was the heartbeat of the Senators for over a decade. A physical force and enforcer, Neil played 1,026 NHL games, all with Ottawa, and became a fan favourite. He provided grit, leadership, and was always ready to defend teammates.

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4. Drake Batherson – 121st Overall (4th Round, 2017)

Drafted in the fourth round as a bit of a project, Batherson has blossomed into a top-six forward. With great vision, hands, and offensive instincts, he's quickly become a key piece of Ottawa’s current group. He’s already cracked the 20-goal mark three times and continues to develop.

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5. Jean-Gabriel Pageau – 96th Overall (4th Round, 2011)

Born in Ottawa and drafted by his hometown team, Pageau made his name with strong two-way play and timely goals. None more memorable than his four-goal playoff game against the Rangers in 2017. A solid playoff performer and dependable center, Pageau was a late-round steal.

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6. Mike Hoffman – 130th Overall (5th Round, 2009)

Hoffman was one of Ottawa’s most consistent offensive threats in the 2010s. Known for his deadly shot and skating, he scored six straight 20+ goal seasons and was a mainstay on the power play. Though his time in Ottawa ended amid controversy, his on-ice production made him one of their best late-round finds.

Has Former Ottawa Senator Mike Hoffman Played His Last NHL Game?In just five years, the 34-year-old winger went from being a 70-point NHL scorer to not being able to find a contract.

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7. Ryan Dzingel – 204th Overall (7th Round, 2011)

Dzingel turned heads with his speed and energy, cracking Ottawa’s top six after being a seventh-round pick. He scored 20+ goals in back-to-back seasons before being traded in 2019. He later returned for a second stint, but it was his early impact that showed off his draft-day value.

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8. Magnus Arvedson – 119th Overall (7th Round, 1997)

Nicknamed "The Machine" by Jacques Martin, Arvedson was a reliable two-way forward who brought consistency and smarts to Ottawa’s lineup in the late ’90s and early 2000s. He scored 47 points in his second season and even received Selke Trophy votes that year, finishing second for the award in 1999.

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9. Mark Borowiecki  – 139th Overall (5th Round, 1989)

Borowiecki played nine seasons with the Senators. Over his 12-season NHL career, he appeared in 458 regular-season games, recording 15 goals, 41 assists, and 848 penalty minutes. He became a fan favourite for his tireless work ethic, leadership, and willingness to take on anyone. Boro came back and settled in Ottawa with his family and works in player development with the Nashville Predators.

Former Senator Mark Borowiecki: "My Career as a Pro Hockey Player Has Come to an End"The man they call "Borocop" in Ottawa has announced his retirement and, after a fine hockey career, he's now looking to "pay it forward."

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10. Ray Emery – 99th Overall (4th Round, 2001)

Emery’s fiery personality and style made him a fan favorite. Drafted in the fourth round, he was the Senators’ starting goalie during their run to the 2007 Stanley Cup Final. Though his time in Ottawa was relatively brief, his postseason heroics left a lasting legacy.

Looking Back on the Life and Career of Former Ottawa Senators Goalie Ray EmeryJust a month before the fiery Ray Emery backstopped the Senators' run to their only Cup Final, The Hockey News profiled Emery's extremely interesting life and career to that point.

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Drafting is a mix of smart scouting and luck, but Ottawa’s past success with players outside the top three rounds drives home how crucial scouting and development are. From a franchise icon like Alfredsson to players like Stone and Batherson, the Senators have unearthed more than their fair share of late-round gold.

Fans are hoping they have a few more solid sleepers in mind at this year's draft June 27-28.

Banner image credit: Imagn Images

Steve Warne
The Hockey News - Ottawa

According to PuckPedia, the New Jersey Devils have signed forward Juho Lammikko to a one-year, $800,000 contract for the 2025-26 season.

The #NJDevils signed 29 y/o UFA F Juho Lammikko to 1 year 800K 1-way deal.

38P in 48 NL GP

Last played in NHL in 21-22 (15P in 75GP for Canucks)https://t.co/R3GponvqTu

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) June 14, 2025

Lammikko, 29, spent each of the last three seasons with the ZSC Lions of Switzerland's National League. In 48 games this campaign with the Swiss club, he posted 13 goals, 38 points, and a plus-23 rating. Now, after three seasons overseas, Lammikko is heading back to North America.

Lammikko last played in the NHL during the 2021-22 season with the Vancouver Canucks. In 75 games with the Pacific Division club that season, he recorded seven goals, 15 points, 93 hits, and a minus-6 rating.

Lammikko was selected by the Florida Panthers with the 65th overall pick of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. In 159 career NHL games split between the Panthers and Canucks, Lammikko has recorded 11 goals, 26 points, and 188 hits. Now, he will look to improve upon his career stats with the Devils from here.

With the Devils' bottom six needing clear help, there is no harm in them taking a shot on Lammikko with this one-year contract. At a minimum, the 6-foot-2 forward will provide them with more depth and grit, which is never a bad thing.

Photo Credit:  © Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports