It all started back on August 10, 1995, when the NHL world welcomed the Colorado Avalanche. Today, they celebrate the 30th anniversary.
Currently, there is no official confirmation of any patches being added to the jersey or any confirmation of an "alternate" third jersey. Though it comes with many speculations and rumours of them reviving the Quebec Nordique jerseys.
The Nordiques had a history of struggling both on the ice in terms of performance and off the ice, dealing with major financial issues, which ultimately led the team to be moved to Denver, Colorado, and the Avalanche being born.
Over the past 30 years, the team has had success in multiple "eras". Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, and Adam Foote were part of the Nordiques' core that relocated with the team and helped them win the two Stanley Cups in 1996 and 2001.
Following many ups and downs after, the team one again achieved glory when the team won the Stanley Cup again during the 2022 playoffs.
The Hockey News’ exclusive summer splash series evaluating the off-seasons of every NHL team is into the final stretch. To put these rankings together, we’ve focused the spotlight on every franchise’s off-season additions, departures, hirings and firings. And we’ve labelled each team as belonging to one of three categories – teams that have improved, teams that essentially stayed the same, and teams that have regressed.
The New York Rangers ranked as the No. 10 team in these summer splash rankings.
It was a busy offseason for the Rangers, as the team kicked things off by firing head coach Peter Laviolette and replacing him with Mike Sullivan.
Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury has already fired three head coaches since 2021. Sullivan could offer the Rangers that much-needed stability behind the bench.
Before the Stanley Cup Final even ended, the Blueshirts traded Chris Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for forward prospect Carey Terrance and a third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
On July 1, the Rangers went out and signed arguably the top defenseman on the market, Vladislav Gavrikov, to an eight-year, $49 million contract.
After bringing Gavrikov on board, Drury decided to trade restricted free agent K’Andre Miller to the Carolina Hurricanes for a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 or 2027 NHL Draft, and defenseman Scott Morrow.
When London Knights captain
Denver Barkey hoisted the Memorial Cup over his head in Rimouski, Que.,
the first thing he did, naturally, was deliver it to his teammates. The
next thing he did was skate toward a few hundred rabid supporters in the
corner of the building, many of whom made the nearly 13-hour drive to
the south shore of the St. Lawrence to celebrate a story of redemption
with their favorite sons.
It wasn’t just symbolic for Barkey; it
was necessary. “They mean everything to us,” he said. “They’ve done so
much for me. They always show up. It’s a great community that always
rallies around us. I’m so happy for them.”
A left winger in his
fourth OHL season, Barkey scored twice to help propel the Knights to a
4-1 victory over the Medicine Hat Tigers in the 105th Memorial Cup
final. Easton Cowan – who took home the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy
as the tournament’s MVP – and overager Jacob Julien also scored for the
Knights, who have claimed three national titles over the past 20 years.
This triumph comes on the heels of back-to-back OHL championships and
three league final appearances in a row for the franchise considered by
many to be the CHL’s crown jewel.
The
fans who showed up for Barkey were merely repaying the favor. Since
2021, when he first put on the iconic green jersey, there’s been an
attachment between player and city. This reached a new level this season
with the establishment of Barkey’s Buds. The initiative provides
tickets to Knights games to those impacted by financial barriers. The
organization also acquired hockey equipment for those in London
Community Housing through donations and the sale of Barkey’s Buds
T-shirts.
The passion Barkey, a native of Newmarket, Ont., shows
for his adopted hometown is just as intense as his admiration for his
teammates and his desire to help the Knights overcome their experience
from last year’s Memorial Cup final, which saw the club lose in the last
minute of regulation to the host Saginaw Spirit. “That was the message
since Day 1 of training camp: remember how that felt and express it to
the guys who weren’t here for it last year,” Barkey said. “It’s been our
fuel and motivation all year long.”
Though Barkey was the first
to touch the trophy this year, his thoughts were with his teammates
celebrating all around him. “These guys have taught me so much,” he
said. “There are friendships out here that’ll last a lifetime. For me,
it’s as simple as playing hockey with your friends and the guys you
love. We wanted to do it for each other more than ourselves.”
One
of those friendships is with Julien, who, in 2016, was watching as an
11-year-old on a big screen at London’s Western Fair District as his
hometown Knights claimed their second Memorial Cup. Since then, Julien
has gone from an undrafted under-16 prospect who was contemplating his
future in the game to missing a season due to COVID-19 to a long-shot
draftee of the Knights.
Where did Julien go from there? Well,
there are the two Memorial Cups he played in for starters. Plus
development camp with the Winnipeg Jets, who drafted him in the fifth
round in 2023. It’s funny where determination can lead. “In the end, I
decided I wanted to keep playing, whether it was Jr. B or another
level,” Julien said. “I’m grateful to have actually done it and reached
this moment.”
This was no ordinary Stanley Cup run, this was a Rat Race! 🐀
Introducing the brand new 2025 CHAMPIONS Issue @FlaPanthers
With emotions coursing through him, Julien had to
refocus to stay in the conversation, an understandable reaction given
all that it took to get there. But when asked who he was thinking about
as the final seconds ticked down, there was no hesitation. “Everyone,”
he said. “The team, my family and all the supporters both here and back
in London. I couldn’t be more grateful for them. It’s what every kid
from London has ever dreamed of.”
Make no mistake; just because
the Knights win a lot doesn’t mean it’s easy. If anything, having the
target that comes with being that good on their backs made the group
stay on their toes to an even greater degree.
The one constant has
been the man behind the bench, Dale Hunter. Hunter has seen plenty of
good teams pass through the Forest City, but this one came with
something every coach dreams of: self-motivation. “They’re great players
with great skill, but most importantly, great will,” Hunter said. “Last
year, we came up short, but I could see from the start of this year,
they were determined. The kids get all the credit. They’re the ones who
go out there and fight on the ice.”
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.
As Brad Marchand gears up for his first full season with the Florida Panthers following his six-year, $5.25 million extension, he'll be going up against familiar foes and teammates he used to go into battles with.
Before Marchand signed a contract which likely insinuates he finishes his career in Florida, he took part in 16 seasons with the Boston Bruins. In Boston, Marchand recorded 422 goals and 976 points in 1090, winning a Stanley Cup in 2011. Marchand was more than a fan favorite in Boston, and captained the team in his final two seasons.
The Bruins were able to extend their window to win due to Marchand's play and ability to defy father time, but the 2024-25 season finally caught up to the Bruins. They were out of a playoff spot when the trade deadline rolled around, and although there were conflicting reports about what they would do with the 37-year-old Marchand, they ultimately traded him to the Panthers.
His arrival in Florida was everything the Panthers organization could have hoped for. His personality meshed well with the current players, and his performance during the playoffs was outstanding, as he recorded 10 goals and 20 points in 23 games.
Although he now has experience playing away from Boston, the regular season will still likely present several challenges, including an emotionally charged game when the Panthers visit Boston on Oct. 21.
"I wrote him congratulations on the Cup. We played a big part of our careers together, and our wives are also great friends," said Pastrnak. "The bond is there, so of course it was difficult to see him leave. I’m not happy about the Stanley Cup for Florida, but I am happy for Marchand. Then, when he signed a big contract, I kind of let him know that I would make the first game against us a little difficult for him. I am looking forward to it. We always had tough battles together, even in practice.”
Pastrnak is one of the elite forwards in the NHL, someone with whom Marchand formed a formidable duo on and off the ice. It'll be interesting to see how the game develops and what shenanigans Marchand may get himself into against his former team.
There's still just over a month until teams hit the ice for training camp, but the 2025-26 NHL regular season schedule has been known for almost a month. There are plenty of eye-catching matchups for the Ducks this season. Five of them have been highlighted as must-watch.
Hockeytown Halloween in Gibson's Return
After being traded to the Detroit Red Wings on Jun. 28 for Petr Mrázek, a 2027 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-round pick, goaltender John Gibson will make his return to Honda Center on Oct. 31. This trade allowed Gibson to be a full-time starter again after Lukáš Dostál began to take hold of the reins during the 2023-24 season and continued to grasp onto the starting role this past season. Dostál was also rewarded with a long-term extension this summer, filling Gibson's spot both physically and financially.
The longest-tenured Duck after Cam Fowler was traded last December, Gibson was the lone remaining player from the Ducks' last playoff series in 2017-18 (Troy Terry played two games that season, but did not appear in any playoff games). Gibson ranks top in nearly every goaltending category in Ducks franchise history and is sure to receive a warm welcome.
"Something close for me (in Anaheim) was all the charity work," Gibson said during his Red Wings introductory press conference. "Gibson's Goals, the sled hockey program, that whole community. Working with them before COVID, dealing with all the hurdles that we had to navigate through COVID and now post-COVID, helping with jerseys and everything... There were a lot of unbelievable moments on the ice, but I think the people and the relationships off the ice, too, are definitely what I'll continue to remember as well."
Black Friday Matinee against LA
The Black Friday matchup against the Kings has become a staple for the Ducks in recent years, but this one will surely feel a bit weirder. Not only will it mark Brian Dumoulin's return to Honda Center, but it will be former long-time Duck Corey Perry's first time in Anaheim as a member of the Kings. While the odd sight of Perry in a non-Ducks jersey has worn off with each passing season since he was bought out by the Ducks in 2019, seeing Perry in the LA colors will be an eyesore for many Ducks fans. The crowd's reaction if Perry were to score will be something. This game will also likely be one of the last Ducks-Kings matchups for Kings captain Anže Kopitar, who reportedly will not sign another NHL contract following the end of his contract after this season.
Ovi's Last Time in Anaheim?
It's been heavily rumored that the 2025-26 season will be Alexander Ovechkin's last season in the NHL. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, he is not expected to sign an extension and will likely play his final professional seasons at home in Russia.
20 years ago, Honda Center was the site of Ovechkin's first NHL hat trick. While he did not score last season in his sole trip to Anaheim, fans will be eager to see if the NHL's new all-time goals leader can continue adding to his tally.
Kreider & Trouba Return to MSG
Both Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba had unceremonious ends to their Rangers careers, with both players traded to the Ducks after months of dysfunction in the New York organization. Trouba has not played the Rangers since being traded last December and Kreider has yet to play a single game for the Ducks because he was traded this past June.
With more than 15 combined seasons playing for the Rangers between the two players, the expectation is that both players will be greeted warmly in their return. Kreider ranks top-10 in several Rangers all-time leaderboards and Trouba captained the team for almost three seasons.
Philly CheeZesteak
The wait for this matchup will be a little longer than the rest. Trevor Zegras will return to Honda Center on Mar. 18 as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers following his trade to the Flyers on Jun. 23. It brought an end to years of trade speculation and reunites Zegras with Jamie Drysdale, who is good friends with Zegras and was traded to the Flyers for Cutter Gauthier in 2024.
Zegras was a Ducks fan favorite, well-liked because of his easy-going personality and his penchant for flair on the ice. His offensive production tailed off after consecutive 60-point seasons to begin his NHL career due to injuries and arguably less-than-ideal deployment. But Zegras did his best to become a better two-way player, something which Ducks management wanted to see more of from him.
"I've played center my whole career up until two seasons ago and I've always felt more comfortable there," Zegras said during his Flyers introductory press conference. "I think there are definitely areas that I need to work on, whether it's the faceoff circle or below the goal line or in front of the net in the d-zone. I think it was good to play the wing and learn that position and the responsibilities."
"I just try to be a good teammate, do what was asked of me and I'm gonna bring that same mindset to Philadelphia. I guess my focus has kind of shifted more towards what I can do for that team and that organization. I think what's happened in the past has made me a different person and I think I learned a lot in Anaheim. Taught me how to be a pro and I'm going to try and bring all that information that I've learned to Philadelphia."
Like Steve Albert, author of "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Broadcast Booth," I, too, wanted to be a play-by-play announcer.
Like Brother Steve, I succeeded. Unlike Steve, my career doing play by play ended with one game. But since I remember it as if it happened yesterday, I figure you might want to listen up.
But, before I go on, lemme say that – as a young Maple Leaf fan – I devotely listened to Foster Hewitt warble over CBL-Toronto. I figured, to be a solid hockey play-by-play guy, just know when to shout, "HE SHOOTS, HE SCORES!"
And, really, that's all there is to it. So, here's what happened – and how very wrong I was.
During the 1954-55 NHL season, I was assistant Rangers publicist and my boss Herb Goren often would give me neat assignments, like writing the texts on the backs of Topp's hockey cards or reading through out-of-town papers for hockey stories.
It was a dream gig until one night, Herbie uttered the never-to-be-forgotten words: "How would you like to do play-by-play tonight?"
Before I could say, "You gotta be kidding!" My boss went on as follows: "The guy who does all our games for Armed Forces Radio is sick and they need somebody to call the game."
A few seconds after my temporary case of lockjaw disappeared, I said, "Sure," and then wondered what to do next. Which was nothing.
The Blueshirts were playing Montreal that night. They were good and we weren't and what else was there to know. All our games with the Habs were delicious with thrills, win, lose or brawl.
I recall telling myself as I sat down after the National Anthem, "Just be Foster Hewitt and all will be well."
There were two issues: 1. I wasn't Foster Hewitt and 2. All was not well. At least not from the second period going forward. Ah but one play made it all worthwhile.
"Hello, this is Stan Fischler for Armed Forces Radio bringing you the Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadiens against the New York Rangers,."
For about five minutes the Blueshirts held them off until New York defenseman Ivan Irwin took a penalty which was bad and good. Bad because Montreal had the best power play in the league and good because Aldo Reno Guidolin, my favorite Ranger, would take the ice.
Guidolin, who wore #12, was the only player in NHL history to come from Forks Of Credit, Ontario. He was a defensive forward who didn't play that much but he did kill penalties so I gave him a big plug. (Who knew what would happen next!)
"And here comes the Rangers PEERLESS penalty-killer, Aldo Guidolin." The Habs mighty power play had defenseman Doug Harvey at one point and Boom Boom Geoffrion at the other. Rocket Richard, Dickie Moore and Jean Beliveau were up front.
Beliveau won the draw and passed it back to Geoffrion at the left point. Guidolin headed straight for Boom Boom whose shot hit Aldo in the leg and bounced back toward center ice. It was at this point that The Maven lost his mind, shouting;
"IT'S A BREAKAWAY...ALDO GUIDOLIN IS IN THE CLEAR – NOBODY NEAR HIM." I inhaled and for a second wondered what my guy was doing. Aldo kept moving in from the right, too close to suit me and it looked like he was going to blow it.
"HE'S CUTTING ACROSS THE GOALMOUTH (left to right) HE SHOOTS! HE SCORRRRRRES!" I was so overwhelmed by the end to end rush that I momentarily wondered if I called it right, so I did it the second time to be sure.
But the Rangers still had the penalty and, in those Original Six days a team could score as many goals on a power play as the two minutes would allow. The Habs wasted no time tying the game; which brought my decibel count down by half.
By the time it was 6-1 for Montreal, you could hardly hear me – or the Blueshirts for that matter – and when the final buzzer sounded, I was secure in the knowledge that the only time I should ever do Rangers play -by-play again is when #12 scores a shorthanded goal.
P.S. Armed Forces Radio gave me a disk of the entire game. I had an extra made and gave it to Aldo and Phyllis as their wedding present.
P.S.S. I played the breakaway segment a few times – and made sure nobody in a white coat was around – just to convince myself that it really happened.
P.S.S.S. Guidolin and I remained close friends until his death on November 8, 2015.
Did you miss anything from the past week at The Hockey News - Columbus Blue Jackets? If you did, we have you covered with the Sunday Recap. Click on each card below to read the stories from the past week.
From Ex-players to current players and everything in between, we've got you covered.
The New Jersey Devils are part of one of the NHL’s best rivalries: the cross-river showdown with the New York Rangers. Widely regarded as one of the league’s fiercest competitions, it’s a matchup fueled by geography, history, and passionate fan bases.
Other top NHL rivalries include:
Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Boston Bruins
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals
Calgary Flames vs. Edmonton Oilers
New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Washington Capitals
Known as the Hudson River Rivalry, or the Battle of the Hudson, the Devils and Rangers feud began in 1982, when the Devils relocated to New Jersey. Rangers fans were quick to bristle at the idea of a new team just 12 miles away. The Devils call the Prudential Center in Newark home. At the same time, the Rangers play at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, a short 25-minute drive between arenas, making it easy for fans to invade enemy territory.
While proximity sparked the tension, on-ice battles cemented it. Games are often physical, emotional, and fiercely contested. The rivalry’s peak came in the mid-1990s: in 1994, the Rangers claimed the Stanley Cup after defeating Vancouver; in 1995, the Devils answered back by beating Detroit for their own championship.
Since the 2004–05 season, the teams have met 43 times, each game seemingly more heated than the last. In 2024, Rangers rookie enforcer Matt Rempe stirred controversy by injuring a Devils player, earning himself a suspension. Devils fans need no prompting to chant “Rangers Suck” whenever the Blueshirts visit Newark, a tradition even immortalized in Seinfeld.
Of course, the Devils have other regional rivalries. The Philadelphia Flyers' feud with New Jersey has history, proximity, and memorable incidents, like the infamous leg stomp and the Lindros Corollary, making it the Devils’ second-strongest rivalry. The Islanders, however, haven’t posed a consistent threat in recent years, keeping that rivalry a notch lower.
Still, no matchup compares to Devils vs. Rangers. The blend of history, fan hostility, and close quarters has created one of the most intense rivalries in the NHL, one that shows no signs of cooling off.
The two teams will not face each other this season until March 7th, 2026. In the meantime the rivalry has time to brew.
EL SEGUNDO, CA — The Los Angeles Kings made a quiet but meaningful move this week, re-signing forward Alex Laferriere to a three-year contract extension. While the deal doesn’t carry the headline shock of a blockbuster trade or marquee free agent signing the team sought in the early days of free agency, it speaks volumes about the organization’s belief in the 23-year-old’s upside and versatility.
For a team balancing a veteran core with an emerging next generation, locking up Laferriere is more than just a depth signing. It’s about creating flexibility in a roster that has seen plenty of its up and coming forwards show ability to play wing and center.
Laferriere’s Journey and Impact
Drafted in the third round (83rd overall) in 2020, Laferriere arrived in Los Angeles as an intriguing prospect out of Harvard University. He was known for his high-energy style, relentless forechecking, and willingness to play in all three zones. His transition to the NHL has been defined by exactly those traits—he doesn’t take shifts off, plays with noticeable pace, and has the kind of competitive edge that coaches trust in high-leverage moments.
Echoing Alex Iafallo, Laferriere shocked both team and non-team personnel with his opening NHL camp and his first full NHL season, as he not only made the roster but quickly earned a reputation for reliability, versatility, and a knack for complementing more offensively gifted linemates. That would diminish down the stretch in his first season with Kings’ fan favorite Pierre Luc Dubois.
Laferriere has shown promise, potentially emerging as a high-end secondary scoring threat even after his second season on a potent line with Quinton Byfield and Kevin Fiala. He posted modest point totals (42 points), threatened to score 20 in his second season (19), while showing flashes of dominant responsible play (+22) to keep the door open for further growth.
Perhaps the most appealing part of Laferriere’s game is his ability to seamlessly shift between roles of winger and center. He can play up and down the lineup, handle tough defensive assignments, and, critically for the Kings, has the potential to take on minutes at center if needed.
The Center Question in Los Angeles
For years, the Kings have been spoiled down the middle. Anze Kopitar has been the franchise’s future Hall of Fame rock, combining Selke-level defense with offensive production. Phillip Danault has provided elite shutdown capability and secondary scoring. Behind them, the team envisioned a future with Byfield as the next top-line centerpiece and Alex Turcotte anchoring the middle six.
Alex Laferriere with the SWEET no-look feed to Kevin Fiala who makes it 7-3 Kings 😮💨🔥 pic.twitter.com/dpQjnvLfMz
Hockey development is rarely linear, which can be said even about well thought out plans. For the Kings, Byfield has taken encouraging strides, but Turcotte’s journey has been marred by injuries and inconsistency. Once viewed as a sure bet to claim a full-time NHL center role, Turcotte has yet to cement himself in the lineup, despite showing signs of growth while getting top line wing time with Kopitar and Adrian Kempe last season.
General Manager Ken Holland has projected Turcotte to anchor the fourth line this upcoming season, next to Joel Armia and Corey Perry. A brand new line never seen before in Los Angeles should be cause for excitement, though the ceiling of a line that might get max 10-13 minutes should dampen expectations. History is also against Turcotte here, with their higher-end prospects seemingly dying on the vine in the bottom six (Rasmus Kupari, Jared Anderson-Dolan, Arthur Kaliyev, and now Akil Thomas).
The Kings could face a significant gap in their depth chart within the next two to three years if Turcotte cannot form into a low end 2C, Kopitar in his potential last year and Danault, despite defying expectations in LA, stepping closer to his mid-thirties.
That’s where Laferriere’s extension becomes more strategic than it appears at first glance.
Laferriere as a Center Option
While Laferriere has spent most of his NHL time on the wing, he has experience playing center at lower levels, including during his NCAA days. His defensive responsibility, hockey IQ, and skating make him a plausible option to transition back into the middle if the Kings need to fill a spot, either due to injury, roster reshuffling, or Turcotte’s up-and-down developmental journey.
As I asked Laferriere in his recent availability about the potential at center:
“I think for how I am as a player, I’ve always kind of prided myself on being someone who can be put anywhere in the lineup and try to do my best there… I think Jimmy trusts me in that role [at center]”
- Alex Laferriere Media Availability August 6th, 2025
For a player who rarely played center growing up, the move wouldn’t be without challenges, though to have an NHL coach (regardless in his first year as a benchboss in the league) trusting a player like Laferriere at center, speaks volumes. Center in the NHL is a demanding position, requiring more defensive reads, faceoff responsibilities, and the ability to facilitate offense from the middle of the ice. But Laferriere’s style, driven by anticipation, work ethic, and adaptability, suggests he could handle at least a hybrid role.
Even if he doesn’t become a full-time pivot, having him capable of spot duty at center provides Los Angeles with lineup flexibility. In the postseason, when injuries and matchup needs often force changes, that kind of utility can be the difference between stability and scrambling.
What If Turcotte Doesn’t Pan Out?
The Turcotte situation looms large over the Kings’ forward group. Drafted fifth overall in 2019, in a wave of great up and coming USHL players, Turcotte was projected to be a top-six, two-way center in the mold of Jonathan Toews, a player who could dominate at both ends of the ice and impose himself as a natural leader. Instead, injuries and developmental setbacks have limited his NHL exposure and slowed his progression.
If Turcotte can’t secure a consistent center role, the Kings have three options:
First, shift an existing winger to center. Laferriere should be the leading candidate here, given his profile. It wouldn’t be an ideal full-time solution, but it could work in specific scenarios. Kempe has played center, but is better weaponized on the wing.
Secondly, rely on other internal prospects. Though the pipeline, which includes some intriguing names, are not remotely surefire NHL-ready centers in the next year or two. This approach carries the most risk in the fallout of a once brimming with talent center pipeline.
Lastly, acquire a center via trade or free agency. This would be the most expensive option in both cap space and assets, especially for a contending team.
It is important to note however, that the projected cap will continue to rise, with Kopitar coming off the books and Drew Doughty's AAV due to come back down to earth for his next contract. There could be some money to play with despite Kempe destined to be the next eight digit player on the Kings.
In this context, Laferriere’s three-year deal acts as insurance. If Turcotte emerges as a reliable middle-six center, Laferriere remains a valuable winger with the flexibility to move around. If Turcotte doesn’t, the Kings have at least one internal player capable of stepping in without completely overhauling the roster.
Cap and Contract Implications
From a financial perspective, the Laferriere extension is a low-risk, high-upside move. His cap hit remains manageable, giving the Kings room to maneuver as they navigate contracts for other young players and potentially add reinforcements. The three-year term also ensures cost certainty during a period when the roster may undergo significant changes.
For a team walking the line between “win now” and “develop for the future,” cost-controlled versatility is gold. Laferriere fits that bill perfectly.
Looking Ahead
The Kings are at an inflection point. The Kopitar-Doughty era is winding down, and the Byfield-Clarke generation is just beginning to take shape. In between sits a group of players like Laferriere, core upside but essentially bridge pieces who can connect the eras while carving out their own place in the team’s identity.
If Turcotte finally breaks through, the Kings will have enviable depth down the middle. If not, Laferriere’s adaptability could quietly become one of the organization’s most important assets if they cannot bolster their center corps with an external move.
Either way, this three-year deal isn’t just about locking up a promising young forward. It’s about keeping options open in a league where flexibility often dictates success.
Bottom Line
Laferriere’s extension is a savvy, strategic and forward-thinking move for the Kings. It ensures lineup stability, provides potential coverage at a critical position, and reinforces the team’s commitment to building around players who can adapt to whatever the future holds. For a franchise navigating the balance between legacy and next-generation talent, that might be exactly what they need.
The New York Islanders signed Matthew Schaefer to a three-year entry-level contract on Aug. 4, becoming the ninth 2025 first-round pick to sign.
There isn’t a glaring weakness in the 2025 first-overall pick’s game. He’s as confident as you’ll find and thinks the game like a No.1 defenseman should. There’s not a single issue with his character. In fact, anything that has been said about him makes him seem like an increasingly genuine person.
What Schaefer has endured off the ice is no secret and doesn’t need to be touched upon further, but the mental fortitude to not only bounce back but become a shining light for children going through similar experiences as he has is a testament to his character.
While understated at times, balancing hockey and the mental side of things is difficult, especially for a rookie, but no player seems more prepared for it than Schaefer.
Physically, Schaefer could benefit from adding some muscle and weight to his 6-foot-2 frame, but that’s to be expected for someone who won’t turn 18 years old until Sept. 5.
Schaefer is a smooth skater, capable of starting transitions on his own. Defensively, his skating and stick work force opponents to the outside before he quickly snatches the puck away from them. With a great understanding of positioning and what to do with the puck when it’s on his stick, Schaefer’s game should have no problem translating to the NHL.
Once he signed his entry-level contract, the possibility of playing a season in the NCAA was abolished, but there are still routes Schaefer can take.
Schaefer could return to the Erie Otters in the OHL following training camp and pre-season, and become, if not the catalyst, one of the key figures on what’s shaping out to be a strong Canadian roster at the World Junior Championship.
Schaefer looked outstanding in the 17 OHL games and the one and a half world junior games he played last year, which is why he has been pencilled in as an NHLer.
If the Hamilton, Ont. native looks comfortable in pre-season but hasn’t necessarily won a job out of camp, the New York Islanders can allow him to play nine games to start the season before burning a year on his ELC. If he isn’t ready, he can return to the Otters for the remainder of the season.
What currently seems the most likely is that Schaefer starts the season on the Islanders’ third pair, playing behind fellow left-handed defensemen Adam Pelech and Alexander Romanov. As the season goes on and Schaefer continues to adjust to the pro game, his role can grow and his ice time can increase.
"I mean me, personally, I want to play in the NHL," Schaefer said after throwing out the first pitch at the New York Mets game on Monday night. "Other people would always ask me 'where do you want to go?' But for me, I was so dialled in on wanting to play in the NHL. And when I set goals for myself, I work as hard as I can so I can get to that point.”
The Islanders are in a favorable position where they don’t need to rush Schaefer, and can protect him in difficult matchups until they believe he is ready.
Each team has different perspectives on what’s best for a young defenseman. Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, Miro Heiskanen and Owen Power all spent one or more seasons away from the NHL before beginning their careers. It proved to work out for them as they are among the NHL’s best defenseman. For others, like Rasmus Dahlin, they were thrown into the fire immediately, and although there were hiccups, Dahlin has become one of the premier defensemen in the NHL.
Schaefer looks to be in a great position, and either choice could be very beneficial, which should kick-start a great career.
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