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.

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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.

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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. 

By the analytics, the Philadelphia Flyers haven't been too wise with how they've spent their money in recent years. But that isn't a bad thing... yet.

To kick off free agency at the start of last month, the Flyers went out and signed goalie Dan Vladar, now the highest-earning goalie on the team, center Christian Dvorak, and defensemen Noah Juulsen and Dennis Gilbert.

Based on the expected positive value, The Athletic gave the Dvorak and Vladar contracts C- grades, but, comparatively, Ivan Fedotov and Trevor Zegras's contracts also got C- grades.

For different reasons, these grades are off base.

Vladar, unlike Fedotov, has proven to be a serviceable NHL goalie, albeit in a backup role. The bar is quite low, yes, but Vladar makes only $75k more against the cap.

The Flyers are hoping that, by adding the former Calgary Flame, they'll start to win more games, which in turn rewards their young players for their efforts and expected positive development.

NHL Free Agency: Flyers Won and Lost on Day 1The Philadelphia Flyers were the one team that won as much as it lost on Day 1 of NHL Free Agency.

Ditto for Dvorak, who is only under contract for one season and can be moved (with salary retention) at the NHL trade deadline if the right deal hits the Flyers' inbox.

As for Zegras, the Flyers traded for him with the hope the 23-year-old can become a long-term piece for them offensively and return to the 60-point form that made him one of the NHL's hottest talents only two seasons ago.

The former No. 11 pick has struggled a lot defensively, at least according to most analytics, which likely factors into such a poor contract grade, but, like with Vladar, it's a bit overstated.

Juulsen and Gilbert didn't even factor into the equation, which is to be expected. It's unclear if Juulsen is fully recovered from a season-ending hernia, while Gilbert is a long shot to make the NHL roster at this time.

Flyers Among NHL Leaders in Dead Salary Cap SpaceThe Philadelphia Flyers will head into the 2025-26 season with the third-highest amount of dead salary cap space in the NHL.

The good news is that Flyers GM Danny Briere signed most of the best contracts on The Athletic's list, with Tyson Foerster, Bobby Brink, Nick Seeler, Egor Zamula, Cam York, Sam Ersson, and Noah Cates leading the way with B- grades or better.

Plus, the Flyers didn't benefit from having Matvei Michkov, who was excluded, on his entry-level contract.

But, overall, the Flyers haven't done anything that inhibits them from making an important move in the future, even if they really did overspend on players like Dvorak and Vladar. And even then, their value relative to other roster players is higher.

What happens next offseason, and even the offseason after that, will tell the full story. This is just the intro.

Fed up with summer already? You’ve had your fill of pools and terraces? Rejoice, hockey will be back soon! How soon? Well, the Prospect Showdown featuring the youngsters of the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, and Winnipeg Jets is scheduled for September 13 and 14. Last season, that tournament took place on September 14 and 15, and the rookie camp started on September 11.

Looking at this year’s calendar, chances are that the rookies will be asked to report to the CN Sports Complex in Brossard on September 10 or 11 for physical testing and start on ice training the next day in readiness for the Prospect Showdown.

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On September 13, the Canadiens hopefuls will take on the Jets at 7:00 PM after the Maple Leafs and Senators take on each other at 1:00 PM. Then on September 14, the Habs will take on the Leafs at 3:00 PM, and the game will be followed by a tilt between the Senators and Jets at 7:00 PM. Tickets for the event are still on sale on Ticketmaster and are a great low-cost option for families who want to introduce their kids to hockey.

Last season, the main camp started on September 18, just a few days after the Prospect Showdown, on the following Wednesday. If this year follows the same pattern, the main camp should open on September 17 since the exhibition games start on September 22.

This year will be the last one with as many exhibition games (six), starting in 2026-27. The new CBA states that teams will only be playing four exhibition games before embarking on an 84-game regular season. This is good news for players who won’t risk injury in meaningless games, but it will give the coaching staff less time to evaluate the youngsters knocking on the NHL door. This year, the Canadiens will be playing four exhibition home games (Sept. 22 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, 23rd against the Philadelphia Flyers, 25th against the Leafs, and Oct. 4th against the Senators). The two road exhibition games will be in Toronto on September 27th and in Quebec City, against the Sens, on September 30th.

Hang in there, Habs fans, there’s only a little over a month to go before your favourites hit the ice again, and we can get on with serious business. Unless, of course, Kent Hughes decides to make August a little more interesting with another surprise trade.

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Although it was a tough pill to swallow for fans of the Detroit Red Wings, it was the Atlantic Division rival Ottawa Senators who returned to the Stanley Cup Playoffs this past season, thanks to a late-season surge that included two crucial victories over Detroit. 

Ottawa complied a record of 45-30-7 for a total of 97 points, 11 more points in the standings than Detroit's 86. 

Adding insult to injury was the fact that former Red Wings forward David Perron, who played such an important leadership role in the Detroit dressing room, scored in both games for his new team. 

David Perron is up to seven goals since March 1st. 😳

What a run he's been on! pic.twitter.com/gbFpjvlgTZ

— NHL (@NHL) March 28, 2025

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

While the Senators would ultimately fall short in the opening round of the postseason against the Toronto Maple Leafs, they did manage to make life uncomfortable for them and appear poised to take another step in their rebuilding process this season. 

Meanwhile, the Red Wings missed out on claiming a postseason spot for the ninth consecutive season thanks in large part to yet another prolonged losing streak in the month of March. 

If the Red Wings are to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season, they'll need to improve their fortunes against the Senators, who have had their number over the last few campaigns. 

Ottawa has been on a remarkable run of success against the Red Wings in their last 10 matchups, winning eight of them. 

Additionally, the core of Ottawa is just getting started. They have a solid foundation led by forwards Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stützle, while their top-six is rounded out by Dylan Cozens (who was linked to the Red Wings in the weeks leading up to last season's NHL Trade Deadline) and Drake Batherson. 

Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot anchor the Ottawa defense, while Linus Ullmark holds down the fort in the crease. 

With veterans Perron and Claude Giroux returning for next season, the Senators appear poised to not only build off their success last season but to take another step toward once again becoming a major problem in the Eastern Conference for their opposition. 

The Red Wings won't face the Senators until after the calendar has changed to 2026, a matchup on January 5 in Ottawa. This will be followed by matchups on January 18 at Little Caesars Arena, February 26 in Ottawa, and Mach 24 back in Detroit. 

All four games will have a valuable two points up for grabs in the standings, points that the Red Wings will need to accumulate to help increase their chances of ending their playoff drought. 

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The Buffalo Sabres have little room for error next season as they attempt to end a 14-year Stanley Cup playoff drought -- and that means they need to beat above-average teams. That includes the Dallas Stars, who the Sabres will take on twice this coming year. 

The Stars are one of the deepest, most well-balanced teams in the NHL, and while they haven't made a slew of changes after falling in the Western Conference final once again, Dallas is going to be a handful for any opponent, including the Sabres. And as part of THN.com's "Know Your Enemy" series, we're looking at every Buffalo opponent next year. We've been moving through the highly-competitive Central Division, and in today's file, we're breaking down Buffalo's chances against the Stars. Let's get to it:

BUFFALO SABRES VS. DALLAS STARS

NEW STARS PLAYERS: Radek Faksa, C

2024-25 SERIES: Sabres 1-1-0, Stars 1-1-0

2025-26 GAMES AGAINST EACH OTHER:  December 31 at Dallas; April 15 at Buffalo 

CAN THE SABRES BEAT THIS TEAM?  The Sabres and Stars faced off twice last season, with both games coming by the end of the calendar year 2024.  The teams split the series, with Buffalo winning the first game by a 4-2 score, then Dallas winning the second game by the same score. But with the Sabres' struggles, there was no sense these two teams were as good as each franchise was when the Sabres and Stars squared off in the 1998-1999 Stanley Cup final. 

Indeed, the Stars have been one of the top franchises in the league in recent years, even if they haven't been able to get back to the Cup final since they won it in '98-99. And of course, the Sabres have been one of the worst organizations in the league for nearly a decade-and-a-half.

This season, though, presents a fresh start opportunity for Buffalo. And unlike last season, when the teams were done with each other early on, the Sabres and Stars won't have their first game until New Year's Eve in Texas. Then, their second showdown comes in mid-April, in the Sabres' final regular-season game of the year.

Know Your Enemy, Sabres Central Edition: Does Buffalo Have Any Hope To Beat Powerhouse Colorado Avalanche?The Buffalo Sabres play in the NHL's toughest division in the Atlantic Division -- but the 2025-26 schedule isn't going to do them any favors. THN.com's Sabres site has been publishing a team-by-team look at Buffalo's opponents next year -- and in today's file, we're continuing our look at the Sabres' chances against the Central Division-juggernaut Colorado Avalanche.

That could mean a couple of things: first, the Stars and Sabres may be significantly different between that first game and the second tilt. If both teams have positive results during the season, that second game could spell the difference between Buffalo making and missing the playoffs. And it could also mean the difference between the Stars securing home-ice advantage and finishing third or fourth in the Central.

If we're being honest, we have to say we see the Stars as the superior team next year. Dallas' balance of young stars still approaching their prime and veterans intent on a deep playoff run makes the Stars one of the most dangerous squads in the league. But Dallas is exactly the type of team Buffalo needs to conquer if the Sabres are going to rise out of the bottom of the Atlantic Division and carve out a post-season berth for themselves.

The Sabres have to prove to skeptics they're ready to take the next competitive step before anyone actually believes they're capable of doing so. That may sound cynical, but talk to any of Buffalo's long-suffering fans, and you'll see exactly why Sabres fans are so cynical.

Know Your Enemy, Sabres Central Edition: Will Blackhawks Stun Buffalo In Their Showdowns Next Year?The Buffalo Sabres' schedule has been out for some time now, and it's always fun to examine the Sabres' opponents by breaking down their showdowns against each of the NHL's 31 other teams.

We're not here to tell you the Stars will walk all over the Sabres next season. Hope springs eternal, and there is a world in which Buffalo grows into an elite team.

But the Sabres have two chances to send a message to the Stars. And if they don't take advantage of those opportunities and they wind up missing out on a playoff berth by one or two standings points, their play against Dallas could prove to be a difference-making factor in their season -- and they could be looking at another year lost.