Despite making the cut last year, Philadelphia Flyers forward Travis Konecny is no longer a top 20 winger in the NHL in the eyes of the NHL Network.

On Wednesday, the NHL Network revealed its rankings of the top 20 wingers in the NHL, and we came to find a few newcomers jumped Konecny, 28, in rankings over the last season.

Konecny (20), Steven Stamkos (13), Brad Marchand (18), and Zach Hyman (11) made way for newcomers Matt Boldy (19), Adrian Kempe (20), Jesper Bratt (12), and Brandon Hagel (13).

Konecny's 76 points did see him finish 30th in the league in scoring amongst all forwards, placing ahead of Alex Ovechkin (ranked 17th by NHL Network), Boldy, and Kempe, but those three all made the playoffs while Konecny and the Flyers finished with the fourth-worst record in the league.

Plus, it doesn't help that the 28-year-old ceded some of the limelight to rookie Matvei Michkov, who will be on this list in no time at all.

Flyers Can't Meet Reported Ducks Trade Price for Mason McTavishFollowing a new report, it would appear the Philadelphia Flyers don't have much of a chance of landing Mason McTavish in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks at all.

Adding to that, Konecny did finish the season with 34 points in his last 44 games, but only seven of those points were goals.

For a player who, right or wrong, is seen as the guy who has to carry the Flyers, Konecny fell short down the stretch, and NHL Network likely punished him for that.

Overall, the Flyers star finished the 2024-25 season with 24 goals, 52 assists, and 76 points while playing in all 82 regular season games for just the second time in his career, and for the first time since 2018-19.

The Edmonton Oilers could be exploring a move to bolster their goaltending depth, and recent comments from team insider Bob Stauffer have sparked speculation that Detroit Red Wings prospect Sebastian Cossa might be a target.

To be clear, Stauffer didn't say Cossa's name. He left it open-ended and for fans to guess. Still, it didn't take long for several fans and analysts to put two and two together. 

On a recent episode of Oilers Now, Stauffer hinted the organization is looking at a goalie who “hasn’t gained a lot of traction” with his current team, but noted there’s a “connection” to Edmonton. He added that the player’s team also has “another really good goaltending prospect,” leading many to believe he was referring to Cossa, who once starred for the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings.

Think Bob is talking about Sebastian Cossa here. Detroit has Trey Augustine passing him in rankings now, Cossa is a former Oil King. pic.twitter.com/HRkQIX5r8C

— OilersDaily (@alloilersdaily) August 2, 2025

Cossa, 22, was a first-round pick by the Red Wings in 2021. It's not entirely clear where he sits in the eyes of GM Steve Yzerman and the coaching staff. That said, it appears he's lost ground on the depth chart to Trey Augustine.

He posted a solid .911 save percentage and 2.45 goals-against average in the AHL last season, but it's unclear if he's got the makings to be a steady NHL starter. He has just one NHL game under his belt.

Who Could Join the Oilers on a PTO? 4 Logical FitsAs NHL training camps approach,  players who haven't earned a UFA contract will be eyed as potential PTO candidates. For the Edmonton Oilers, who are watching every penny, that could open the door to some potential opportunities.

As for what the Oilers would be willing to offer, if Stauffer is suggesting a trade is being discussed, the details remain a mystery. It's hard to imagine Edmonton giving up much for an unproven goaltender who isn't likely to do much on a Red Wings team that may not be playoff bound. If Cossa has fallen out of favor in Detroit, it's logical to assume a draft pick or a different prospect might get the deal done. 

It seems unlikely the Oilers would trade a roster player, unless the Red Wings were willing to take on a contract like Mattias Janmark. While the deal would free up cap space and address a long-term organizational need, it may not be a move the Oilers are ready to make this summer. Janmark might not be a regular in the team's lineup this season, but he's likely to offer more game time in a Stanley Cup window than Cossa would. 

Acquiring Cossa might be appealing, but there is no guarantee he’s NHL-ready.

The Detroit Red Wings have made numerous additions to their lineup in the offseason through both free agency and trade, though none of the moves could accurately be described as a major "splash" acquisition. 

While there is still well over a month between now and the start of Red Wings Training Camp in mid-September, doubt is beginning to creep in on whether they'll ultimately pull the trigger and acquire a new, high-profile figure. 

While the Red Wings have re-signed their restricted free agents in Albert Johansson, Jonatan Berggren, and Elmer Soderblom, one team that still has a notable RFA yet to be locked down is the Anaheim Ducks. 

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

The Ducks haven't had any luck re-signing Mason McTavish, who recently completed his three-year entry-level contract and scored a career-high 22 goals in 76 games for the Ducks last season. 

OH, MASON MCTAVISH!! 🥵

That was absolutely gross. pic.twitter.com/4KHDfm2eEi

— NHL (@NHL) April 2, 2025

According to a newly released report from RG.org, an anonymous NHL source has named the Red Wings as a potential landing spot for McTavish if the Ducks can't get him to sign a new deal.

Not only does the source tout the history between former teammates Steve Yzerman and Pat Verbeek, who now serve as the general manager of their respective clubs, but for what McTavish could bring to Detroit's forward units. 

“One team I keep hearing that has continued to show strong interest is the Detroit Red Wings," the source explained to RG.org. "Obviously there’s a history there with Pat [Verbeek] and Steve [Yzerman], and I really think Steve sees McTavish as a player that would clearly change the whole dynamic of his team up the middle there.”

Yzerman and Verbeek do have an extensive professional history together. Not only were they teammates on the ice in Detroit from 1999 through 2001, but they also worked together as executives with both the Tampa Bay Lightning and Red Wings; Verbeek worked under Yzerman in both locations before accepting the role as Ducks GM in February 2022.

McTavish, whom the Ducks selected with the third overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, is known for his offensive flair and often plays in close proximity to the net. He's played in 229 career NHL games, and has scored 60 goals while adding 80 assists. 

As it currently stands, the Red Wings have just over $12 million worth of salary cap remaining, which is more than enough to absorb the contract of a significant potential addition.

The Red Wings and Ducks have already made a pair of trades with one another in just over a full calendar year, as Detroit sent oft-injured forward Robby Fabbri to Anaheim last July while acquiring goaltender John Gibson in late June of this year. 

Detroit has already been linked as a potential landing spot for McTavish if he and the Ducks can't come to an agreement, and his presence in the lineup would give the Red Wings another offensive weapon capable of playing in the top-six and reaching at least 20 goals. 

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

New Jersey Devils winger Jesper Bratt has been ranked the 12th-best winger in the NHL right now by NHL Network.

Where's the Bratt Pack at?

Jesper Bratt comes in at #⃣1⃣2⃣ on our Top 20 Wings Right Now list! @NJDevils | #NHLTopPlayerspic.twitter.com/oLFZsxEy7U

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 6, 2025

Unranked last season, Bratt is now earning praise for his standout performance.

The 27-year-old has spent his entire eight-year NHL career with the Devils after being drafted 162nd overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. The Swedish forward found his stride this past season, posting 88 points in 81 games.

He also represented Sweden at the Four Nations Tournament, recording two points in three games.

Bratt is entering the third year of his eight-year, $63 million contract, which carries an annual average value of $7.8 million and keeps him in New Jersey until age 32.

Making his debut as a teenager after impressing in the 2017 training camp, Bratt played 74 games in his rookie season (2017–18), tallying 13 goals and 22 assists. Over the years, he has battled through injuries, fracturing his jaw in October 2018 and undergoing shoulder surgery in the 2024–25 offseason. He is expected to be ready for the start of the 2025–26 season.

In 2025, Bratt was named to the NHL All-Star Team and now finds himself recognized as one of the league’s elite wingers. Often overshadowed by teammates Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier, Bratt has quietly posted back-to-back 80-point seasons, leading the Devils in shot assists and scoring chance assists. His speed, puck-handling, and ability to excel in man-advantage situations make him a constant offensive threat.

Bratt made history in 2024–25, becoming the top-scoring Swedish player in the NHL and setting a Devils record for single-season assists. He is one of only five players league-wide to record at least 20 goals, 50 assists, and 80 points in each of the past two seasons.

Only 11 wingers were ranked higher than Bratt on NHL Network’s list:

1. Jake Guentzel – Tampa Bay Lightning
2. Artemi Panarin – New York Rangers
3. Kyle Connor – Winnipeg Jets
4. Sam Reinhart – Florida Panthers
5. Matthew Tkachuk – Florida Panthers
6. William Nylander – Toronto Maple Leafs
7. Mitch Marner – Vegas Golden Knights
8. Mikko Rantanen – Dallas Stars
9. Kirill Kaprizov – Minnesota Wild
10. David Pastrnak – Boston Bruins
11. Nikita Kucherov – Tampa Bay Lightning

Bratt has firmly established himself among the NHL’s best wingers, and is finally getting the recognition he deserves.

Photo Credit: © Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

Former NHL forward David Booth may not have played in the NHL since his first and only season with the Detroit Red Wings during the 2017-18 campaign, but he's showing that he still has some pretty slick moves that made him one of the better players for the Florida Panthers during their dark years. 

Booth, who played the majority of his career with the Panthers from 2006 to 2011, currently plays Down Under for the Melbourne Ice of the Australian Ice Hockey League, and recently scored a spectacular goal against the Brisbane Lightning that some fans could easily confuse for a former Pavel Datsyuk highlight.

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

Not only did he execute a full Denis Savard-style spin-o-rama around Lightning forward Sacha Rapchuk after receiving a pass near the top of the slot, but then he dangled around defenseman Thomas Kiliwnik before beating goaltender Jakob Doornbos with a quick blocker-side shot. 

Could this be goal of the game, week, season ? David Booth ~ 5 goals 3 assists and 8 points for the day. Speechless! pic.twitter.com/YExE7G60O9

— Melbourne Ice (@melbourneice) August 6, 2025

To add to the feat, it was part of a five-goal, three-assist performance during the game for Booth, who has now scored 25 goals with 25 assists in just 11 games. 

Booth began his NHL career as the 53rd overall pick of the Panthers in the 2004 NHL Draft, and he would play parts of six seasons with the team. His game action was limited to regular season play only, as the Panthers failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs during his time with the team.

Booth's best offensive output came in the 2008-09 campaign, during which he lit the lamp 31 times while adding another 29 assists. 

He was then traded in the early goings of the 2011-12 NHL season to the Vancouver Canucks as part of a package to acquire Mikael Samuelsson, who had won the Stanley Cup with the Red Wings in 2008 and would later make a brief return to the team later in his career. 

Following stints with the Canucks and the Toronto Maple Leafs, Booth spent time in Russia suiting up for both Admiral Vladivostok and Avangard Omsk in the KHL before returning to the NHL as a member of the Red Wings ahead of the 2017-18 NHL season, Detroit's first in the brand new Little Caesars Arena. 

The Detroit native scored four goals with an assist in 28 games for the Red Wings in what would prove to be his final season in the NHL.

WPG @ DET - 12/5/2017

David Booth - 5-1 Red Wings #LGRWpic.twitter.com/TlXhk50sV8

— Red Wings Goals In Order (@RedWingsVids) March 14, 2025

In 530 career NHL games, Booth scored 124 goals with 112 assists. Since then, he's played in Norway as well as Germany's DEL2 along with another stint in the KHL. 

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

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.

The Avalanche were an elite team last season, even if they finished just third in the Central. But if the Sabres are going to end their 14-year Stanley Cup playoff drought, they're going to have to beat very good teams like the Avs. So let's explore Buffalo's chances against Colorado next season, and see if we can't accurately predict how well the Sabres will play versus the Avalanche.

BUFFALO SABRES VS. COLORADO AVALANCHE

NEW AVALANCHE PLAYERS: Brent Burns, D 

2024-25 SERIES: Sabres 0-1-1, Avalanche 2-0-0

2025-26 GAMES AGAINST EACH OTHER:  October 13 at Buffalo; November 13 at Colorado 

CAN THE SABRES BEAT THIS TEAM?  The Sabres did not fare well against the Avalanche last year, losing both games by a combined score of 11-9. Buffalo did squeeze out one standings point in the two games, losing by a shootout in their last game against each other Jan. 2. But the Avalanche team they'll be facing this year is just as good, if not better than the Avs team that played last year.

To wit: Colorado will have a full season with captain Gabriel Landeskog, and that's more or less a trade acquisition given that they still played well without Landeskog last year. Meanwhile, the Avalanche's defense corps -- already one of the strongest groups in the league -- got even better with the signing of greybear blueliner Brent Burns. 

At 40 years old, Burns is the oldest player in the NHL, and while his offensive stats have ebbed in recent years, he's likely going to be very valuable in limited action on Colorado's third defense pairings. And Burns' snarl and size will also make the Avalanche even tougher to battle in their own zone.

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.

Meanwhile, the Avalanche still will be dominant because in center Nathan MacKinnon and defenseman Cale Makar, they have two of the top-five players in the league. That made it more palatable to trade former Avs winger Mikko Rantanen, and with the money Rantanen was making, Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland acquired Martin Necas from Carolina and Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders.

And after all those moves, MacFarland still has $3.3 million in cap space. That's a masterclass in cap management. And that's going to make it extremely difficult for the Sabres to beat the Avalanche.

The intriguing wrinkle in Buffalo's games against Colorado is that they both come at the beginning of the year. The first game they go head-to-head will be the Sabres' third game of the regular-season, while the remaining game will be played exactly one month later.  That could open up a potential quick-strike action on the Sabres' behalf, with the Avalanche vulnerable as they potentially experiment with lines and chemistry early in the season. Playing the Avalanche early is far better for Buffalo's chances to beat Colorado than they would be if their games came later in the season, after a trade deadline that almost certainly will see the Avs spend every bit of their cap space.

Know Your Enemy, Sabres Metropolitan Edition: How Will Buffalo Fare Against High-Octane Washington Capitals?The Buffalo Sabres want nothing more than to qualify for the 2025-26 Stanley Cup playoffs. Ending Buffalo's 14-year drought without any playoff games is a gigantic stain on the organization, but there's no assurace the Sabres will be able to vault over many solid teams and grab a playoff berth.

As it stands, Colorado is a top-10 team in the league right now. They may even be a top-five team in the league when firing on all cylinders. So the Sabres have their work cut out for them in trying to win at least one of the two games they have against the Avalanche. Buffalo wasn't able to beat the Avs last year, so a statement game or two against Colorado could be just what the doctor ordered for Buffalo's playoff chances.

And if the Sabres get knocked around again by the Avs, they could miss out on playoff action because they didn't make the most of their opportunites against one of the game's best squads. Time will tell how Buffalo ultimately fares against Colorado, but the challenge is clear -- let the Avalanche know the Sabres are a different team by pushing back and avenging their losses to the Avs last year, or fall again into the same unfortunate pattern and lose both games to Colorado.

The Canucks made an addition late into this offseason yesterday, with winger Vitali Kravtsov signing a one-year, two-way contract valued at $775k. This is his second tenure with Vancouver, as he last played 16 games with the team after being acquired just ahead of the 2022-23 trade deadline, in a move that sent Will Lockwood and a 2026 seventh-round draft pick to the New York Rangers.

International experience

Kravtsov, hailing from the Russian city of Vladivostok on the eastern Pacific coast, spent the last two seasons playing with Traktor Chelyabinsk of the KHL. He scored 34 points (18 goals, 16 assists) in 55 games in the 2023-24 season, his first back in Russia, and was sixth in league scoring in the regular season, with 58 points (27 goals, 31 assists) in 66 games. Through 33 playoff games played over the two seasons, Kravtsov had 12 points (nine goals, three assists) and helped Traktor to the Gagarin Cup Finals last season, where they lost to Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in five games.

The 25-year-old winger has spent much of his career outside of North America within the Chelyabinsk system, having played parts of multiple seasons with Belye Medvedi Chelyabinsk and Chelmet Chelyabinsk, the junior and minor affiliates of Traktor Chelyabinsk, respectively. Kravtsov also spent multiple stints with Traktor Chelyabinsk prior to his latest move back, having spent much of his early career with the major team, and was loaned to the team for the 2021-22 season by the New York Rangers. In 2018, he set the record for most points by an 18-year-old in the KHL postseason, with 11 (six goals, five assists) through 16 games, as well as being named the league’s Best Rookie with the Aleksei Cherepanov Award. Overall, Kravtsov has 160 points (81 goals, 79 assists) in 288 KHL regular-season games across eight seasons, and 40 points (25 goals, 15 assists) in 79 playoff games across seven appearances.

Vancouver Canucks Sign Vitali Kravtsov To A One-Year ContractThe Vancouver Canucks are bringing back winger Vitali Kravtsov. Vancouver has announced that they have signed the 25-year-old to a one-year, two way contract. Now 25, Kravtsov has spent the last two seasons in the KHL, playing for Traktor Chelyabinsk. 

Kravtsov was drafted ninth overall during the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, just two picks after Canucks captain Quinn Hughes. Later that year, he played in the 2019 World Junior Championships, hosted in Vancouver, where he won a bronze medal with Russia, scoring two goals and earning four assists. He played 39 games in the 2019-20 season for the Hartford Wolf Pack, the AHL affiliate of the Rangers, scoring 15 points (six goals, nine assists) with his first experience of North American professional hockey. 

New NHL beginnings

He made his NHL debut for the Rangers on April 3, 2021, in a shootout loss against the Buffalo Sabres — his first of 20 games in the 2020-21 season for the Original Six team. Kravtsov earned his first NHL point on April 11, 2021, with an assist on a goal from Brendan Smith in an overtime loss to the New York Islanders, and netted his first NHL goal a week later on April 18, during a 5–3 Rangers win against the New Jersey Devils. He would score another goal and assist each before the season ended, and he would head back to Russia the following year after tensions with the Rangers' front office surfaced. 

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site: 

Canucks Elias Pettersson "Learning From What Happened Last Season To Become A Better And More Mature Player For Next Year."

Vancouver Canucks 2025–26 Player Preview: Aatu Räty

Vancouver Canucks 2025–26 Season Series Preview: Chicago Blackhawks

Kravtsov returned to the NHL for the 2022-23 season, where he had six points (three goals, three assists) in 28 games with the Rangers before being traded to the Canucks, where he scored one goal and one assist. As a restricted free agent, he was extended a qualifying offer at the conclusion of the season by the Canucks, but opted to head back to Chelyabinsk, though the Canucks maintained his NHL signing rights. 

Familiar faces

The Russian winger now returns to a Canucks team that looks vastly different from the one he originally played with. Gone are big names like Rick Tocchet behind the bench and JT Miller on it alongside him, and he is reunited with his former Rangers linemate in Filip Chytil. The two spent 123 minutes together on the ice across 44 games in two separate seasons, mostly on the third line. Chytil and Kravtsov on ice together combined for a Corsi For Percentage of 57.80%, a goals for of 75% against an expected goals for of 59.09%, a shooting percentage of 8.11%, and a PDO of 1.085, above the league average of 1.00, and the 2023-24 league-leading Canucks PDO of 1.025. The last time the two played extended minutes together was on January 16, 2023, where Chytil assisted on Kravtsov’s final goal as a Blueshirt in a 3–1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. 

In his first tenure with the Canucks, Kravtsov spent the majority of his time on the fourth line, with 12 of his 16 games spent there. He made two appearances on the third line and two late-season appearances on the first line with Elias Pettersson as his center. On the current Canucks lineup, his highest ceiling is likely the middle six, though I would not be surprised if he spends most of his time in the bottom six, or if he is sent to Abbotsford to start the season, despite being eligible for waivers.

I’d anticipate Kravtsov working on a third or fourth line to start with Nils Åman — who he also played with twice his first time in Vancouver — or Aatu Räty as his center, assuming the team keep Chytil on as the second line center with Conor Garland and Evander Kane as his wingers. Injuries or impressive performance could lift him to the second line at some point this season with Chytil, or an elevation or trade of another center could move Chytil down to the bottom six with his former Rangers linemate. Still, he will be fighting for a spot on the big league wings come training camp against experienced Canucks like Nils Höglander, Max Sasson, Drew O’Connor, Jonathan Lekkerimäki, Arshdeep Bains, and Linus Karlsson. Overall, though, the return of Kravtsov carries a low risk, as forward depth can become an issue as the season goes on, and a league minimum deal for one year adds stability and professional experience to the Canucks winger depth chart.

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

Michael Pezzetta is still pinching himself after signing a two-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs earlier this summer.

The 27-year-old, who's spent his entire NHL career thus far with the Montreal Canadiens, grew up in Toronto and was a Maple Leafs fan. A sixth-round (160th overall) pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, Pezzetta recalled sitting in his childhood room and looking at all of the posters on his wall after signing with Toronto.

"I got a big picture of Mats Sundin on my wall and a couple of pictures of CuJo (Curtis Joseph) and some other guys," Pezzetta smiled. "I get to fight for the opportunity to put this sweater on, and it's just something that I've dreamed of my whole life, and I'm just, it feels amazing."

A month after signing his two-year, $1.63 million deal, Pezzetta spoke with the NHLPA about joining his hometown club. He reminisced about a moment from his childhood when he attended an open practice at Scotiabank Arena.

Alex Nylander Returns To Maple Leafs Organization, Signing One-Year AHL Deal With MarliesAlex Nylander is returning to Toronto for another season.

"One time, when I was a little kid, our team was at Air Canada Centre [now, Scotiabank Arena] to watch the Leafs practice. I was an energetic kid, not really scared of anything, so I found my way down to the locker rooms," Pezzetta said.

"I was running around outside the locker room, and I ended up running into [former NHL defenceman] Wade Redden and one of the goalies from the Ottawa Senators. By that time, my dad realized I had taken off and came looking for me. I was running around, trying to get guys to sign stuff."

He revealed that Sundin was his favorite player growing up. The former Maple Leafs captain holds the franchise record for most points (987) and goals (420) through 981 games with Toronto.

Could William Villeneuve Earn NHL Call Up After Signing One-Year, Two-Way Contract With Maple Leafs?William Villeneuve is returning for another season in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ organization.

"I had his pictures in my room, jerseys things like that," said Pezzetta. "I remember his 500th goal, coming across the blue line and blasting a slap shot home, far side, for the overtime winner, and a hat trick. It was a great memory."

Sundin's 500th goal came on October 14th, 2006, and it was a shorthanded overtime-winner against the Calgary Flames. The Bromma, Sweden-born forward also scored 32 goals and 38 assists in 77 playoff games.

Pezzetta is entering his fifth NHL season after tallying 15 goals and 23 assists in 200 games, all with the Canadiens. Although he's likely to be a depth forward for Toronto, there's no doubt Pezzetta will bring more bite to the club's bottom six.

'They're Trying To Move Money Around': Maple Leafs Reportedly Haven't Closed Door On Signing UFA Jack RoslovicThe Toronto Maple Leafs were reportedly interested in unrestricted free agent Jack Roslovic earlier this summer, and it appears the lure may not have gone away.

"It’s the same as Montreal, it is a big market, there is pressure and expectations are high," he said. "But that makes sense and that’s what makes it so great to play in these types of cities. I’m embracing every bit of it."

This article originally appeared on The Hockey News: 'I Found My Way Down To The Locker Rooms': Michael Pezzetta Reminisces On Moments As A Young Maple Leafs Fan

(Top photo of Pezzetta: David Kirouac / Imagn Images)