While the Toronto Maple Leafs continue their search for a top-six forward ahead of the 2025–26 NHL season, newly acquired center Nicolas Roy could help fill the gap in the meantime.

Speaking with Nick Alberga and Jay Rosehill on Leafs Morning Take, Roy shared that he has already spoken with head coach Craig Berube about expectations for his role. During his time with the Vegas Golden Knights, Roy often stepped into a top-six spot when the team dealt with injuries or needed a replacement.

“I definitely see myself as someone who can play in the top six if needed, and in different roles,” Roy said. “I can handle various situations—power play, penalty kill, big faceoffs. I enjoy that part of the game.”

Toronto acquired Roy in a sign-and-trade deal that sent star forward Mitch Marner to Vegas. Marner agreed to an eight-year, $96 million contract with the Golden Knights. His departure leaves a huge hole in the Leafs’ top six—last season, he led the team in points with 27 goals and 75 assists for a total of 102 points.

So far, no free agent has emerged as a clear replacement, making a trade seem like the most likely path forward. Still, it’s been a quiet offseason despite Toronto having some salary cap flexibility.

'Nobody Expects Them Not To Do Things Before Puck Drops': Could Maple Leafs Still Move Nick Robertson After Contract Signing?Although the Toronto Maple Leafs and Nick Robertson settled on a one-year, $1.825 million contract on Saturday, could the young forward still be on his way out?

For now, the Leafs may try to replace Marner’s production by committee. Along with Roy, they’ve added forwards Matias Maccelli and Dakota Joshua, and re-signed Nick Robertson to a one-year, $1.825 million deal.

Roy recorded 15 goals and 16 assists in 71 games last season. Over his career, he has 10 goals and 22 assists in 79 playoff games and was part of Vegas’s 2023 Stanley Cup win.

'I Think He Really Wore It': Matt Martin Reflects On Mitch Marner's Move To Golden Knights And His Two Seasons With Maple LeafsMatt Martin might be retired, but he remembers playing with Mitch Marner on the Toronto Maple Leafs like it was yesterday. 'I Was Just Being Honest': Ryan Reaves Defends Advising Mitch Marner On Vegas While Still Technically With Maple LeafsWhen Mitch Marner made his first public comments as a member of the Vegas Golden Knights, he mentioned speaking with former Toronto Maple Leafs teammates Ryan Reaves and Max Pacioretty about their experiences with living arrangements in the city during the final weeks of June. This revelation upset some Maple Leafs fans, who felt Marner had been disengaged for weeks. While perhaps not as infuriated as they were upon discovering Marner spoke to current Vegas Golden Knights players in February while competing for Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off, fans were still displeased. Why The Maple Leafs Shouldn't Target Jack Roslovic After Other Free Agency MovesThe Toronto Maple Leafs have enough depth players.

The NHL Network is putting together some lists of the top players in the NHL among different positions before the 2025-26 season starts. They just dropped the top-20 wingers in the NHL list.

Minnesota Wild forward Matt Boldy was on the list and ranked 19th.

Minnesota Wild's Matt Boldy Ranked As Top-20 Winger In NHLThe NHL Network is putting together some lists of the top players in the NHL among different positions before the 2025-26 season starts. They just dropped the top-20 wingers in the NHL list. 

Kirill Kaprizov ranked third on the list. Only Nikita Kucherov and David Pastrnak rank higher than Kaprizov. Pastrnak had 43 goals, 63 assists and 106 points in 82 games last year. Kucherov had 37 goals, 84 assists and 121 points in 78 games.

Kaprizov, 28, recorded 25 goals, 31 assists and 56 points in 41 games for the Wild last year. He recorded five goals and nine points in six playoff games as well.

Sine 2021, Kaprizov ranks fifth amongst NHL wingers in goals with 158. William Nylander has 159 in 327 games played, Mikko Rantanen has 165 goals in 319 games played, Alex Ovechkin has 167 goals in 294 games played and Pastrnak has 191 goals in 318. 

Kapriov has 158 in just 264 games played in that span. If you scale it to goals per game (G/GP), Kaprizov and Pastrnak are tied at 0.60 for first in the NHL since 2021. 

Since Kaprizov broke into the league during the 2020-21 season he has scored 0.58 goals per game. That puts him tied with Pastrnak for the most among wingers and the third most of any NHL player. Only Leon Draisaitl and Auston Matthews have a higher G/GP.

Draisaitl has played 368 games, Matthews with 347 games played and Pastrnak with 366 games played.

I don't think people truly realize how incredible Kaprizov's numbers have been. He continues to cement himself as the greatest Wild player ever and one of the best players in the whole NHL.

Other Wild News

Wild's Marco Rossi Continues To Have A Big Offseason, Up 14 PoundsMinnesota Wild forward Marco Rossi is known for his work ethic. He has already had a big offseason by training with Hall of Fame center Joe Thornton.Son Of Former Minnesota Wild Forward Commits To University Of MinnesotaLong-time NHL forward Matt Cullen's son just announced his commitment to playing hockey for the University of Minnesota. Wyatt is one of three Cullen brothers, all who play hockey. 

During a virtual Q&A with selected season ticket members, New York Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche stated that he didn't have any plans to bring in any players on a PTO. 

Two notes from Mathieu Darche’s chat with STH’s earlier:

1. Doesn’t plan on bringing in any PTOs for training camp

2. Implored to him amateur staff that he didn’t just want skill guys for the draft, wanted competitors (called out Eklund, Aitcheson, Prohkorov)#Isles

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) August 7, 2025

So, if the Islanders aren't going to bring in any players on PTOs, then we have the list of players who will be battling out this fall at training camp.

PTO stands for Professional Tryout, which is when a franchise brings in a player, usually a veteran, on a trial period.

We saw this happen with the Islanders last season when Matt Martin, now a special assistant to Darche, came to camp on a PTO. Due to injuries, Martin was then signed to a one-year deal.

Darche Isn’t Lou — And That’s The Point, Especially When It Comes To Coaching PhilosophyOn Wednesday, New York Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche joined Jeff Marek on Daily Faceoff's "The Sheet".

Here's the Islanders' depth chart when it comes to NHL options for 2025-26:

C: Bo Horvat, Mathew Barzal, Calum Ritchie (waiver exempt), Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Casey Cizikas, Kyle MacLean

LW: Jonathan Drouin, Anders Lee, Anthony Duclair, Emil Heineman, Pierre Engvall

RW: Kyle Palmieri, Simon Holmstrom, Maxim Shabanov (waiver exempt), Maxim Tsyplakov, Marc Gatcomb

LD: Alexander Romanov, Adam Pelech, Matthew Schaefer, Isaiah George (waiver exempt)

RD: Tony DeAngelo, Ryan Pulock, Scott Mayfield, Adam Boqvist, Ethan Bear

G: Ilya Sorokin, Semyon Varlamov (IR), David Rittich

I*f Varlamov isn't ready, Rittich will serve as the backup.

We listed 27 players, with NHL rosters maxing out at 23, which means four players from this list will not be making the club this fall.

As of right now, the extra forwards are MacLean, Engvall, and Gatcomb.

If Ritchie wins a job—whether that's as a starting center (which would be tough unless the Islanders decide to keep Barzal on Horvat's wing or move a player like Cizikas to the wing, a place he played a lot last season)—that could push MacLean out of the NHL picture.

MacLean, who is entering the second season of a three-year deal worth $775,000 annually, will need to have a big camp after struggling in 2024-25.

It doesn't make much sense for Ritchie to make the team as an extra, since the club could send him down to Bridgeport and let him develop under Rocky Thompson, serving as the first call-up if there's an injury to the forward group.

So, if Ritchie starts in Bridgeport, that could mean MacLean still has a spot.

With the way Gatcomb played last season, he is kind of a perfect extra forward to have on this roster and will be gunning for a fourth-line gig. He signed a one-year deal worth $900,000 as an RFA.

Engvall is one of the more intriguing players entering training camp. He no question had a strong finish to the season, but his inconsistencies make him a tough player to rely on. Yes, he has five seasons left on his deal at $3 million annually, but that cap hit didn't stop the Islanders from waiving him following last year's camp and again during the season, before ultimately recalling him.

If in Bridgeport, the Islanders can bury $1.15 million of the $3 million, leaving Engvall on the books at $1.85 million.

When it comes to the extra defenseman, it seems like Schaefer and George will be battling out for the final left-side spot. 

That doesn't mean if Schaefer makes the team out of camp, there's no value in him being an extra—we saw the Islanders go that route with Noah Dobson. If George doesn't make the team, he will be playing top minutes in Bridgeport.

On the right side, Boqvist is likely making the team, whether that's as the bottom-pairing right-side defenseman or as the club's seventh defenseman. Boqvist, who signed a one-year extension, will have to beat out Scott Mayfield for the bottom-pairing gig, something he did last season following the NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off.

Bear, who signed a one-year, two-way deal worth $775,000, is trying to prove that he is an NHL-quality defenseman and will be gunning for a role.

So, to sum up the roster spot battles, it's the following:

Defense: Schaefer vs. George & Boqvist vs. Bear (any could serve as the extra defenseman if they don't win a starting spot)

Forwards: Engvall vs. Gatcomb, Ritchie vs. MacLean

Goaltenders: Varlamov vs. injury

When it comes to the actual starting lineup, there's more competition.

The only thing known at this time about the lineup is that Drouin will be playing with Horvat. We can project the starting lineup, but there are countless configurations that head coach Patrick Roy will need to figure out:

Drouin - Horvat - Palmieri

Lee - Barzal - Holmstrom

Duclair - Pageau - Shabanov

Heineman - Cizikas - Tsyplakov

Romanov - DeAngelo

Pelech - Pulock

Schaefer - Mayfield

Sorokin

Rittich

This will be an enormous camp for Duclair, who is under contract for three more seasons at $3.5 million. He walked away from the team with eight games to go after trying to get back to his game following an early-season groin injury.

If he can show that his strides are back to where they need to be, he's certainly an option to play with Barzal, which was the thought when he was signed to his deal last July.

For Shabanov, this will be his first taste of the NHL game, and it wouldn't be a shock to see him begin his career in the bottom six before working his way up, if he earns more playing time.

Maxim Tsyplakov, who signed a two-year extension worth $2.25 million annually, went through the growing pains of the NHL this past year and should have more of an understanding of how he has to play to be most effective on the ice.

Shabanov coming over, along with Drouin, certainly pushes Tsyplakov down the forward depth chart. But given Tsyplakov's hockey IQ, physicality, and ability to dish the puck and score, he could be a player who sees time in the middle six.

Simon Holmstrom, who signed a two-year extension worth $3.625 million annually, proved last season that he has the potential to be a true top-six forward after a few seasons of being a third-line shutdown forward.

He probably isn't a top-line winger, so Barzal's wing certainly makes a ton of sense.

If the Islanders have Lee, their captain, in a bottom-six role this season, that's a good sign, as it would mean that Drouin and Duclair are both providing the offense needed for their respective potential roles.

Whether it's for the final roster spots or starting minutes, training camp this fall will be a competitive one. So, buckle up, as we are about a month and a half away.

New York Islanders No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer is working hard this summer to crack the big squad this fall. 

Former NHLer Mark Giordano is his trainer and has been working alongside Islanders veteran defenseman Adam Pelech as well as Islanders forward Bo Horvat. 

Potential No. 1 Pick Matthew Schaefer On Islanders Bo Horvat, Adam Pelech & Mathieu DarcheLOS ANGELES -- Matthew Schaefer is not a member of the New York Islanders organization just yet, but all signs are pointing to that with the 2025 NHL Draft just a day away. 

There could be another Islanders player who joins Schaefer, and that's Casey Cizikas.

"I talked to Bo Horvat quite a bit. I was gonna train with him. And Pelech comes back to my gym," Schaefer said. "Cizikas may come back.

"I've talked to a lot of guys, and I can't wait to start working with them."

Jumping from the OHL to the NHL will be a gigantic step for Schaefer.

While he's a confident kid with a tremendous amount of hockey skill, Schaefer will need a support system in place to help him overcome obstacles that come his way.

The fact that he's trained this summer with not only NHLers but future teammates will go a long way toward Schaefer feeling comfortable in the room as quickly as possible.

While Pelech and Schaefer will not be a pair given that they both play the left side, there could be times during a game when Schaefer and Pelech are on the ice together. So, it's good for Schaefer to learn Pelech's tendencies and vice versa.

Building chemistry with forwards is ultra important, especially given the two-way style Schaefer plays.

Mathew Barzal made a comment about how he quickly built chemistry with defenseman Mike Reilly when it came to breakout passes.

So, for Schaefer, he's building chemistry with Horvat and, hopefully, Cizikas before it's time to head back to Long Island for training camp.

Don't forget Bonk, a Flyers prospect that will ‘aim high' as he turns pro originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Oliver Bonk won’t elicit all the hype and hoopla that Matvei Michkov did a year ago.

For various reasons, the defenseman has flown under the radar a bit when it comes to Flyers prospects. He was the other first-round pick from the draft that yielded the Flyers a massive talent in Michkov.

With 2024 first-rounder Jett Luchanko tasting the NHL last season, rising prospect Alex Bump nearing his debut and 2025 sixth overall pick Porter Martone now in the picture, the fanfare around Bonk isn’t as loud.

But he could be as important as anyone in the Flyers’ long-term picture, a 20-year-old piece that will be realizing his future at the pro level this season. While he’s projected to open with AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley, he’s not settling for the Phantoms when training camp arrives next month. His goal will be the Flyers’ roster.

“Go in with the expectation that you’re going to make the team,” Bonk said last month at development camp. “You can’t be aiming that you’re going to go to the [AHL] because then you will be going to the [AHL].

“If you’ve already set that bar — I don’t want to say low, but lower than it should be — you’re going to end up there. I think for every guy at this camp, it should be playing in the NHL. Most of the guys, it is. Some people will say it’s not really realistic, but I think it is. You’ve got to aim high.”

Bonk is coming off a highly successful career at the junior ranks. He helped lead London to the OHL championship series three times in four seasons and won the last two.

The righty shot punctuated his run with the Knights in June by winning the Memorial Cup. He did it alongside Flyers prospect Denver Barkey, who captained the top team in Canadian major junior hockey.

“I can definitely tell you that him and Bonk walk around with some pretty good swagger in the locker room after doing what they did,” Flyers director of player development Riley Armstrong said last month.

Bonk and Barkey were both drafted by the Flyers in 2023. After parts of four seasons as teammates in London, they’re turning pro together, as well.

“It’s really cool for us, just to watch each other grow over the years has been special,” Barkey said last month. “To continue to play together and hopefully play together for the rest of our lives, it’s cool to play alongside one another and just have a familiar face around. It has made it a lot easier.”

Over his final two regular seasons with the Knights, Bonk put up 107 points (35 goals, 72 assists) and a plus-65 rating through 112 games. He had a career plus-51 mark in the playoffs. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder has a game that’s all about doing the subtle things to keep the puck out of his team’s net.

Now he’s set to test himself against pros. What will be the biggest challenge?

“Get physically ready,” Bonk said. “I think mentally, I’m there. I understand what’s happening out there, I’m not lost. But I think physically this summer, you’ve got to get a lot bigger, put on some weight, get heavier because you’re not playing against 16-year-olds anymore that are just young and light. You’re playing against some heavy guys, so it’s going to be important.”

The Montreal Canadiens’ performance against teams from their division was a significant part of the reason why they were able to qualify for the playoffs last season, and that included their winning record against the Tampa Bay Lightning. While Jon Cooper and his men are no longer the reigning Stanley Cup champs they were in 2020 and 2021, they are still a contending team every year.

The Habs took on the Bolts three times last season and won two of the three duels, outscoring the Florida outfit 11-9 in the season series, showing character and determination.

Canadiens: When Will The Action Resume?
Canadiens: Former Habs Are Back In Town Again
Canadiens Steamrolled The Champions

The first duel between the two teams came on December 29, just the second game after the Christmas break. Fresh off a 4-0 win over the Florida Panthers, the Canadiens triumphed 5-2 over the Lightning in the second game of a back-to-back. After seeing his backup blank the Cats, Samuel Montembeault put on a strong display, saving 21 of the 23 shots he faced, making key stops when needed. It was a win acquired by the veterans as Christian Dvorak, Jake Evans, Joel Armia, and Brendan Gallagher all found the back of the net after Alex Newhook opened the score in the first period.

A month later, at the Bell Center, the Canadiens showed character coming back from behind to snatch a 3-2 win after Tampa Bay had taken a 2-0 lead. Montembeault was instrumental in the win, making 33 saves as his teammates only tested Andrei Vasilevskiy 22 times. Patrik Laine got a pair of assists, including one at even strength on the game-tying goal, while Jake Evans scored the game-winning goal with 2:15 left in the third.

The Lightning came back strong in the last duel of the season on February 9, posting a 5-3 win while the Canadiens were in the midst of an awful sequence. They were 3-6-1 in their last 10 games and were hoping to bounce back before the 4 Nations Face-Off break. Tampa Bay’s best players stood tall on the night, with Jake Guentzel, Brandon Hagel, Victor Hedman, and Anthony Cirelli all picking up a pair of points.

The secret of the Habs’ success against Tampa last season was their ability to keep the Bolts’ best players in check. In the three games of the series, Guentzel, Hagel, and Cirelli only had three points, meaning they all had only one across the first two games. Hedman and Nikita Kucherov could only manage a pair of points in the season series. The fact that Vasilevskiy only had a .889 save percentage also helped.

Montreal’s team effort and depth scoring were also key since the Bolts blanked both Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki in the season series. Armia, Dvorak, and Gallagher all played significant roles in those wins, and if the Canadiens are hoping to have the same kind of results against Tampa this season, their best players will have to step up. Armia and Dvorak will no longer be there to provide veteran leadership and depth scoring. Newcomers Noah Dobson and Zachary Bolduc won’t be the solution since they had moderate success against the Bolts; Dobson was blanked, and Bolduc had one point in two games. Ivan Demidov could potentially make a difference; however, if the Canadiens find a way to put him in winning conditions, on a second line that manages to develop chemistry.

Tampa Bay didn’t make huge moves this offseason; they didn’t really need to, but they did sign recently reacquired forward Yanni Gourde to a six-year contract extension. The veteran generally does well when playing against the Canadiens; he has 15 points in 21 games. The Bolts' most significant move this offseason probably was to move Isaac Howard, who had let it be known he wouldn’t sign with them, to the Edmonton Oilers for Sam O’Reilly, a Memorial Cup Champion with the London Knights.

The bottom line, however, is that if the Canadiens intend to become contenders, they will need to keep on performing well against teams that know how to win, like Tampa. To win against those teams when it matters the most, you also need to get top performances from your key players. Caufield and Suzuki need to play their usual key role against this team as well.

---

Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story.  

Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.

Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.

Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable on The Hockey News.

The energy of the Vegas Golden Knights won’t just be lighting up T-Mobile Arena this season, now it’s taking flight! Knight Flights, a new partnership with Cirrus Aviation, provides the opportunity for the most die-hard fans to travel in VIP fashion. 

“Bringing Knight Flights back this season was a strategic decision rooted in our long-standing partnership with the Vegas Golden Knights and our belief in the power of experiential travel,” said Eric Grilly, President of Cirrus Aviation Services. “We saw an opportunity to reimagine how fans experience away games by offering something more immersive and elevated. The idea of combining private aviation, exclusive access, and game-day energy just made sense—and aligned perfectly with what Cirrus stands for. Since announcing the return of Knight Flights, the early momentum has been strong, and we’re seeing real enthusiasm from fans who are eager to travel in style and support their team on the road.” 

This experience is the first-of-its-kind. Each curated getaway includes round-trip private jet travel aboard a Cirrus Challenger 850, seating just 15 guests for an ultra-exclusive feel, bespoke in-flight hospitality, premium lower bowl tickets putting fans right in the heart of the action, and white-glove ground transportation provided by Kaptyn, ensuring a seamless ride throughout the duration of the day. 

“Every detail of the Knight Flights experience is curated with the fan in mind,” Grilly said. “We’re fortunate to work with trusted partners like Kaptyn, who share our standard of service, and with the Golden Knights organization, who help us bring this vision to life. Internally, our operations and guest services teams obsess over the details—because for us, it’s not just about the flight, it’s about making every touchpoint feel exceptional.” 

The Knights are entering their ninth year in the NHL, and with that comes the ongoing effort to sustain the strong bond between the team and its fans. The players feed off the energy and support that fans bring. Their 82-game schedule is certainly demanding, so this partnership benefits not only the fans but the players putting in the work on the ice as well. 

“We live, play and work in Vegas - the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World - so we aspire to be five-star in everything we do,” said Matt Lenio, Vice President of Partnerships for the Vegas Golden Knights. “The Golden Knights are proud to align with brands who share our mission to be champions both on and off the ice, value community, and provide fans with benefits and opportunities that other teams may not. Cirrus Aviation Knight Flights fit directly into the team's profile of being innovative and creative in finding new ways our fans can follow their passions.”  

While fans can always stream the games from home, nothing compares to the thrill and unforgettable memories of experiencing the action live. 

“Knight Flights is an easy and convenient way to arrange travel to a VGK game, and it minimizes the work of planning travel arrangements,” Lenio said. “Furthermore, it provides an elevated experience at an affordable rate to help create a memorable and stress-free trip. Walking away from a game or event with a positive view is crucial to fan loyalty, and so are unique experiences where fans can feel like they’re part of something bigger than themselves. Through this partnership, Cirrus Aviation is helping the Golden Knights build long-term relationships with their fans to further improve the connection they have to Vegas and beyond.”  

2025-2026 Knight Flights Schedule

• 10/9/2025— Vegas Golden Knights vs San Jose Sharks 
• 11/20/2025—Vegas Golden Knights vs Utah Mammoths
• 11/22/2025— Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks
• 11/24/2025— Vegas Golden Knights vs Utah Mammoths
• 1/1/2026— Vegas Golden Knights vs San Jose Sharks 
• 1/14/2026— Vegas Golden Knights vs Los Angeles Kings
• 2/1/2026—Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks
• 2/25/2026—Vegas Golden Knights vs Los Angeles Kings

With select dates already released and up for purchase, Cirrus Aviation continues to have playoff games and other tentpole moments on their radar and plan to announce additions as the season progresses. 

“You can feel the energy onboard these flights—people are excited, united, and proud to represent their team on the road,” Grilly said. “It’s more than just a trip; it’s a shared experience that turns strangers into community. As for what fans can look forward to—we’re just getting started. Whether it’s new destinations, surprise onboard activations, or special guest appearances, we’re committed to pushing the envelope and delivering even more moments that fans will remember long after the final buzzer.”

Seats are limited — visit the Knight Flights page to secure your top-tier fan experience like never before!

Welcome the fourth and final installment of the ultimate NHL Media Meal rankings. This is the moment you've all been waiting for. You know which meals are the worst and which ones are right in the middle. But what about the top eight in the NHL? Which places go above and beyond. It's time for the full reveal.

TikTok · David AlterCheck out David Alter’s video.

No. 8: Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks had a delicious media meal on my last visit. We had a high-quality lunch buffet, complete with a carving station, since it's always a 4 p.m. local start time. During the first intermission, they had a hot dog station, and in the second intermission, there was a candy station. I should note that the media meal experience isn’t always this good in Vancouver; many local media members have told me they step it up when Toronto is in town. Since that’s the only time I’m here, they get the No. 8 spot. My only disappointment was that the previous year it was a brunch instead of a lunch, but I can’t complain.

TikTok · David Alter829 likes, 31 comments. “For $16, the #Canucks #media #meal for the #Leafs game rocks. It also has one of the best coffees in the entire #NHL.”

No. 7: Minnesota Wild

I don’t remember the Wild’s buffet being this good before, but that’s probably because the Leafs had to wait two years before going to Minnesota again. The lone road game the season before was played in Sweden. This time, in addition to delicious proteins and good Mexican food, they had an amazing new ice cream bar. It was indeed very good, and I’m looking forward to coming back.

Ranking Every NHL Arena Media Meal Part 3, No. 9 Through 16 RevealedWelcome to Part 3 of The Hockey News Toronto’s ranking of the media meals that are served around the NHL. This week, we move further down the rankings to look at the teams and venues

No. 6: Chicago Blackhawks

This is a hidden gem, probably the best arena when it comes to free food choices up in the press box. A very reasonably priced $11 gets you a high-quality buffet. Upstairs, they’ve got healthy and unhealthy snacks and finger food. Apparently, it used to be even better, with all kinds of desserts coming up during the second intermission. But you know what? This is still fine and quite delicious. Chicago is a good eats town, and it is for the media meal as well.

TikTok · David Alter8852 likes, 121 comments. “It is #media #meal time in #Chicago. Here’s the spread. It’s really awesome!!! Oh and the #leafs play the #blackhawks tonight. Enjoy.”

No. 5: Montreal Canadiens

I will admit, the Montreal media meal is good. It’s not the absolute best, but it ranks so high because of the experience. The hot dogs are free here, and they come in a panini-pressed bun which is absolutely delicious. For all the reasons I look forward to coming to Montreal, the media meal is high on the list, and the hot dogs are replenished for both the first and second intermissions. The dining area is great, and there is nothing like a Leafs vs. Habs game in Montreal.

TikTok · David Alter371 likes, 23 comments. “The #Canadiens media #meal is one of my favourites because of the hot dog. But beginning last month, they debuted a ‘Michigan’ take on the chien chaud. Bob Apetit.”

No. 4: Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins do an excellent meal here. There's a traditional buffet bar with a main event station where cooks are usually preparing a pasta bar or something custom to your liking. The quality is outstanding. My only beef with this is that they are cash only. However, there are ATMs, and since I bank with TD in the United States, it’s a fairly easy process to get your cash.

Ranking Every NHL Arena Media Meal (Part 2): Venues 17 to 24 RevealedWelcome back to the second part of our summer-long series ranking NHL media meals. With the schedule revealed this week, I've started booking road trips for the upcoming season, which is also making me hungry and excited for the media meals next season. This week, we count down the No. 17 through 24 media meals in the NHL. TikTok · David Alter839 likes, 21 comments. “The #media #meal in Boston ahead of #Leafs and #Bruins never disappoints. The main event is a Mac and cheese bar. #food.”

No. 3: Seattle Kraken

The Seattle Kraken have a wonderful, high-quality, and free media meal. As the home of Starbucks, they offer a good quantity and quality of food, along with great ice cream and snacks. The only issue is that the lineup and wait can be quite long since the entire building’s staff seemingly comes into the same room to eat at the same time. But the food is really good, and combined with a price of $0, it’s high on the list at No. 3.

TikTok · David Alter11K likes, 200 comments. “It was a taco night for the #media #meal ahead of #leafs vs #kraken. The chicken was superb and it’s free. The #candy spread upstairs was great too. Love new buildings for this.”

No. 2: Los Angeles Kings

What's great about the Los Angeles Kings media meal is that it is free and there are a lot of options. On one occasion, they had the most amazing sour cream and guacamole combo dip—it was incredible. It's usually Mexican food whenever we are here, and as long as it’s good, there are no complaints. They even had cold brew coffee, which was great, and the snacks and finger foods in the press box are delightful.

TikTok · David Alter1567 likes, 28 comments. “#media #meal in Los Angeles for #leafs and #lakings was free and it’s one of the best in the #NHL.”

No. 1: Detroit Red Wings

And now, the undisputed No. 1 media meal in the NHL: the Detroit Red Wings. It costs $11, and it is so worth it. You begin with a salad bar, and then you have your meats. On its own, that would be good enough, but the options just keep going and going. Even after you pick a protein, you get more options. Then you have a dedicated area for fried food like fries and chicken wings, along with Little Caesars pizza, because of course. They have a lot of dipping sauces, which is usually an extra charge at most fast-food joints. There's also an excellent dessert station with cookies and ice cream. This meal is so good that we had the joy of having it twice in one day because the Pistons were playing an afternoon game in the same building. That was heaven on earth. There are also great snack choices from chips, gummies, and chocolate upstairs. Detroit is the bar. I stuff myself to the point where it’s almost hard to focus on my job, which is to cover the game.

TikTok · David Alter1005 likes, 35 comments. “My first visit to the Detroit media #Meal in over a year and they follow the channel!!!! Truly blessed!”Ranking Every NHL Arena's Media Meal Part 1: The Bottom 8 Revealed (Nos. 25–32)As I write this, I feel blessed that I get to travel as often as I do. And while on the road covering the Toronto Maple Leafs, I like to see what every city has to offer in terms of restaurants, amenities, etc.

Full 2025-26 NHL Media Meal Ranking

1. Detroit Red Wings
2. Los Angeles Kings
3. Seattle Kraken
4. Boston Bruins
5. Montreal Canadiens
6. Chicago Blackhawks
7. Minnesota Wild
8. Vancouver Canucks
9. Carolina Hurricanes
10. New York Islanders
11. Nashville Predators
12. Dallas Stars
13. New York Rangers
14. Anaheim Ducks
15. Tampa Bay Lightning
16. Utah Mammoth
17. Edmonton Oilers
18. Florida Panthers
19. Vegas Golden Knight
20. Toronto Maple Leafs
21. Calgary Flames
22. Columbus Blue Jackets
23. Washington Capitals
24. Winnipeg Jets 
25. San Jose Sharks. 
26. Buffalo Sabres. 

 27. Colorado Avalanche.

 28. Pittsburgh Penguins. 

 29. St. Louis Blues 

 30. Ottawa Senators.

 31. Philadelphia Flyers. 

 32. New Jersey Devils.