When a London, Ont., judge ruled on Thursday that all five players involved in the 2018 Hockey Canada sexual assault trial were not guilty on all charges, the NHL found itself at a crossroads of moral decency. 

Should the players, who have already missed more than a year while fighting for their freedom, be allowed to resume their NHL careers? Or do they need to spend additional time away from the league for not living up to the ethical standards of being an NHLer?

So far, the league is choosing the latter. 

"The allegations made in this case, even if not determined to have been criminal, were very disturbing, and the behavior at issue was unacceptable," the NHL's statement said. "We will be reviewing and considering the judge's findings. While we conduct that analysis and determine next steps, the players charged in this case are ineligible to play in the league."

This was the right decision, even if it wasn’t necessarily an easy one.

No, the easy decision would have been for the league to follow the court’s lead and clear the players, allowing them to get on with their lives and resume their NHL careers as if nothing had happened. The easy decision, which the NHL has chosen at times in the past, would have been to put winning above everything else.

After all, these are not just ordinary players. These were Canada’s best junior players in 2018. They were potential stars.

Michael McLeod and Cal Foote were first-round picks of the New Jersey Devils and Tampa Bay Lightning, respectively. Dillon Dube, who was the captain of the world junior team, had spent six seasons with the Calgary Flames. Alex Formenton was coming off an 18-goal season with the Ottawa Senators. Carter Hart was the No. 1 goalie for the Philadelphia Flyers.

All of them had bright futures. Considering they are in their mid-20s, they still do. And yet, their futures may no longer be in the NHL.

By ruling that all players were essentially “free to go,” McLeod, Foote, Dube, Formenton and Hart should theoretically be allowed re-sign with an NHL team of their choosing. Some, like Hart, were already being linked to several teams who are in dire need of goaltending.

But playing in the NHL is a privilege – not a right. And despite how badly the Edmonton Oilers might have needed an upgrade in net, the NHL is making it clear that there is a distinction between a court of law and the court of common decency. 

What the players did behind closed doors after a night of drinking at a Hockey Canada gala honoring their victory at the 2018 World Junior Championship might not have been criminal. But it was wrong on several levels. Regardless of consent, a young woman was taken advantage of and put in danger by a group of young men who became the poster boys for the toxic masculinity and negative culture that still pervades the sport. 

This move from the NHL sends a strong message, not only to the rest of the league – but to the fans as well. 

The only question is, how long can the NHL punish them? Is one year enough? Two years? Indefinitely?

Stan Bowman, Joel Quenneville and Al MacIsaac, who were ruled ineligible “as a result of their inadequate response upon being informed in 2010 of allegations that Chicago Blackhawks player Kyle Beach had been assaulted by the team’s video coach,” were reinstated on July 1, 2024, after spending two-and-a-half years out of the league.

Maybe that sentence will serve as a starting point. 

The NHLPA disagreed with this viewpoint, arguing that the NHL’s decision “is inconsistent with the discipline procedures set forth in the CBA.”

Obviously, nothing will be done in this situation until after the NHL is finished conducting its investigation. But it is probably safe to suggest that none of the players will be welcomed back into the league in time for the start of the season.

Based on the language that Gary Bettman once used to describe the players’ actions, calling them "abhorrent, reprehensible, horrific and unacceptable,” they may never be welcomed back.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have a slew of players who are either in the final or second-to-last year of their contract. 

Star center Evgeni Malkin is in the last year of his deal. He’s one of seven Penguins forwards who are UFAs after 2025-26. Three Pens defensemen are in the same boat. If you count players in the penultimate year of their contract, the number goes up to 10 forwards – including captain Sidney Crosby – and five defensemen, including star Erik Karlsson.

Penguins GM Kyle Dubas is retooling this team, yet Crosby, Malkin and star defenseman Kris Letang seem about as deeply embedded as it gets. What Dubas has created around them is an environment where players have every motivation to have a productive year while these leaders are still playing. The team isn't devoid of talent, but it does need players at both ends of the ice to play boom-or-bust hockey if Dubas isn't tearing down the roster.

That motivation applies to boosting their offensive production. This past season, only Crosby had a point-per-game average (1.14) of at least one, and the Penguins ranked 18th in goals-for. Those numbers won’t cut it in an NHL era where offense has been on the rise overall.

If Dubas trades Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust, who both recorded career-high point totals this past year, the offense will likely dry up more. But unless the Penguins get a trade return for each of them that makes the team much stronger down the line, those two will be motivated to find yet another gear. They each scored more than 30 goals in 2024-25, and Pittsburgh can do its best to take advantage of that as long as those players are around. 

Dubas is clearly hoping their depth players entering contract years or getting close to it – Kevin Hayes, Anthony Mantha, Danton Heinen, Noel Acciari, Blake Lizotte and Connor Dewar – wind up thriving in pursuit of a better payday sooner rather than later. As for Malkin, he would surely want to finish what could be his last season with the Penguins on a high note by trying to reach the 83 points he put up in 2022-23.

That said, don’t be fooled into thinking that just because Pittsburgh can’t put the puck in the net, they’re somehow going to be better on defense. The Penguins are worse on the back end, with 3.50 goals against per game, which ranked third-last in the NHL. This was not a good Pens team at either end of the ice.

Dubas obviously wants the team to improve up front, but if the Penguins want to surprise the NHL and compete for a playoff spot next season, they have to give their goalies a fighting chance – since the netminders couldn’t bail them out night in and night out. So they need those five defensemen who are at or near the end of their contract – Karlsson, Matt Dumba, Connor Clifton and Ryan Shea – to also step up by clamping down in their own zone and chipping in some scoring.

For much of this roster, the knowledge that their time in Pittsburgh could be almost done should provide a sense of urgency to their game. 

Crosby will be a fixture as a Penguin for as long as he wants to be, but you can light a bigger fire under him if he knows his teammates are giving it all they’ve got. That’s what the Penguins should hope this collection of end-of-contract players will do.

When Dubas took over in June 2023, he tried to put together a team that would compete for the Stanley Cup right away. That plan didn’t work out. So last year, Dubas shifted the gaze of Penguins fans from the here and now to tomorrow. Dubas hasn’t hit home runs with every move he makes, but you can’t accuse him of being satisfied with the status quo.

However, in trying and failing to return to the playoffs in the last three seasons, the Pens have demonstrated how far they are from being a contender. They could be further from it if the players on the final legs of their contracts, including their franchise legends, don’t find a way to get a hot streak going that powers them farther than most NHL followers can expect.

Teams have overachieved their roster on paper time and again, and Pittsburgh should hope to join that list. They could make the most of the here and now while getting started on developing the core of tomorrow.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

The Hockey News’ NHL summer splash rankings are in full swing, with the Tampa Bay Lightning coming in 25th place.

We’re focusing on each NHL team’s off-season, weighing in on the teams that improved, stayed the same and got worse this off-season. We’ll be breaking down all additions and departures, including hirings and firings.

This isn’t about who had the best or worst off-season, although there are some exceptions if a team did more or less than expected to support their core.

You can see the teams that finished beneath the Lightning at the bottom. Now, let’s focus on the state of the Bolts.

Additions

Pontus Holmberg (LW), Boris Katchouk (LW), Sam O’Reilly (C)

The Breakdown: The Lightning made their big moves during the season, re-acquiring veteran center Yanni Gourde as well as right winger Oliver Bjorkstrand from the Seattle Kraken for their playoff run this past spring. 

Tampa Bay GM Julien BriseBois signed Gourde to a six-year contract extension with an average annual value of $2.33 million – terrific value for a proven winner. 

In terms of NHL-level players added this summer, the Bolts only brought on former Toronto Maple Leafs left winger Holmberg. The 26-year-old Swede was mostly a bottom-six forward for the Maple Leafs last year, posting modest career highs in assists (12) and points (19) in 68 regular-season games.

Holmberg was a non-factor in the playoffs, generating just a single assist in 12 games. He’ll again be a third- or fourth-liner for Tampa Bay.

Katchouk, 27, was one of the Lightning’s additions signed to a two-way deal. He gets mentioned here because he’s played 176 career NHL games, but he spent all of this past season in the AHL, and his career high in the NHL is 16 points in 58 games in 2022-23.

O’Reilly, 19, is a prospect center acquired in the Isaac Howard trade with the Edmonton Oilers. He’s a smart player who could make the bottom six in the future, but he’s not expected to graduate to the NHL in 2025-26.

Departures

Nick Perbix (D), Cam Atkinson (RW), Luke Glendening (C), Isaac Howard (RW) 

The Breakdown: BriseBois spent most of his cap space to keep his team largely intact, but the Lightning did lose some experience on the free-agent market.

Veteran defenseman Perbix signed with the Nashville Predators. He was a third-pair blueliner for Tampa Bay, averaging only 14:41 of ice time in 74 games. But he got a significant raise from the Preds, going from $1.125 million this past season to $2.75 million on a two-year deal. That was too rich for BriseBois to accommodate, so the Lightning’s defense corps won’t be quite as deep next season.

Right winger Atkinson was mainly a fringe player this past year, with only four goals and nine points in 39 games. He was a frequent healthy scratch and was assigned to the AHL at times. 

Veteran center Glendening also appears to be moving on. The 36-year-old was a fourth-liner for Tampa Bay, averaging only 10:47 per game in 77 games. Neither Atkinson nor Glendening is irreplaceable, but their departure does affect the Lightning’s overall depth up front.

Ultimately, while things could’ve gone worse in the off-season for Brisebois and the Bolts, they did a decent-enough job keeping together a group that Lightning brass obviously still believes in. And the departures they did have aren’t going to hurt their bottom line. Speaking of bottom lines…

The Bottom Line

The Lightning were ousted in the first round of last year’s Stanley Cup playoffs by the back-to-back defending Cup-champion Florida Panthers. But there’s still plenty to like about Tampa Bay – whether it’s superstar sniper Nikita Kucherov, elite forwards Jake Guentzel, Brayden Point, Anthony Cirelli and Brandon Hagel, accomplished defensemen in Victor Hedman, Erik Cernak and Ryan McDonagh, or superstar goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy. You can’t credibly argue that’s not an impressive group.

Keeping Gourde was a priority for BriseBois to ensure there’s proven talent in the bottom six. Signing Hedman to a contract extension last July that kicks in this upcoming season was huge, and not having to trade core talent for cap space is a plus as well. 

Did Tampa Bay get better this summer? No. Did they stay the same? For the most part, yes – although there is, in our estimation, enough evidence to argue they got marginally worse for this upcoming season than their playoff roster in the grand scheme of things.

Because of those reasons and the tight margin between the clubs that stayed largely the same, they’re in the bottom quarter of the NHL summer splash rankings. 

We fully expect the Lightning to be a playoff team in the 2025-26 campaign. That said, we’re also not sure Tampa Bay will be able to get out of the first round in next spring’s playoffs. 

BriseBois has never been afraid to make big moves in-season, so that may be in the cards for the Bolts next year.

Summer Splash Rankings

25. Tampa Bay Lightning

26. Toronto Maple Leafs

27. Dallas Stars

28. Calgary Flames

29. Los Angeles Kings

30. Winnipeg Jets

31. Chicago Blackhawks

32. Buffalo Sabres

The New Jersey Devils are next up in the NHL prospect pool overview series.

Tony Ferrari digs into the Devils’ strengths and weaknesses, latest draft class, positional depth chart, next player in line for an NHL opportunity and more. A player who no longer holds rookie eligibility in the NHL is considered graduated and no longer a prospect for these exercises, with few exceptions.

Initial Thoughts

The New Jersey Devils are on the rise with elite young talent on the roster and some of the most impressive offensive sequences in the NHL. 

Led by 24-year-old Jack Hughes and 26-year-old Nico Hischier, the Devils are well-positioned long-term down the middle, and they have shown flashes of being a truly elite team. 

The team has a handful of young defenders already looking like potentially effective players. Luke Hughes, Jack’s younger brother, is one of the most gifted young offensive blueliners in the game. In his two full seasons, Hughes has had 47 and 44 points, the latter coming in just 71 games. His skating and desire to jump up in the rush to help create man-advantage situations mean he could push past the 50-point plateau as a 22-year-old next season.

Simon Nemec isn’t a rookie anymore, having spent most of the 2023-24 season in the NHL. However, after being back and forth between the AHL and NHL this past season, Nemec is still fighting for his spot in the lineup. Nemec has a high-end offensive mind, and he has also shown flashes of solid defensive play. He has just about everything you want from a top-four defenseman aside from a nasty streak. He moves the puck well on the breakout, finding outlets along the wall as well as streaking forwards cutting through the neutral zone. This will be a big season for Nemec.

Lenni Hameenaho is one of the most productive U-21 players in the Liiga over the last 25 years. He’s used his tactical play to pick apart defensive schemes. He isn’t the flashiest or fleetest of foot, but he has the answer when a defender presents him with a problem. He passes under pressure and gets into position to receive a return pass. Hameenaho will be one of the most interesting prospects to watch in training camp as he tries to match the NHL pace.

It’s been a long time coming, but 2019 fourth-rounder Arseniy Gritsyuk finally signed his entry-level contract in May, and he’s set to join the Devils for this upcoming season. The speedy forward is one of the oldest prospects covered in this Prospect Pool Overview series, because a 24-year-old who hasn’t cracked the NHL will likely be a low-impact player if he ever makes it. Gritsyuk signed longer deals in the KHL and avoided coming over. Now that he is here, though, his skill and speed are ready to take on the NHL. He’s been all over the Twitter highlight reels, but now, it’s time to show he’s a legit NHLer.

At 6-foot-7, it’s hard to miss Anton Silayev on the ice. The big, mobile defender has plenty of tools at his disposal, showcasing impressive skating and defensive work. His offensive game doesn’t stand out, but he makes a good first pass and quickly gets the puck out of trouble. He uses his full wingspan to deter attackers, and when he closes, he finishes with full force along the boards. Silayev could help balance out some of the offensively gifted defenders in New Jersey in a couple of years.

Seamus Casey started and ended the season in the NHL, playing 14 games total, but he spent most of this past year in the AHL. He is one of the most intelligent defenders with the puck, finding a play and advancing the puck into a position to create offense. His strength and defensive game must continue to improve, and he must show he can handle the NHL’s physicality, but he should make some noise in training camp once again and challenge for even more NHL time. 

One of hockey’s most underrated goalie prospects, Mikhail Yegorov, was a monster for Boston University after joining them partway through the season. The Terriers were having a good season, but they were underperforming in relation to national title expectations early in the year. When Yegorov made the jump from the United States League to the NCAA mid-season, everything changed. His .927 save percentage gave BU a chance to win every night. Yegorov helped the team to the national title game, where they ultimately lost to a feisty Western Michigan squad, but BU might not have even made the Frozen Four without Yegorov’s heroics. 

U-23 Players Likely to Play NHL Games This Season

Simon Nemec (D), Luke Hughes (D), Seamus Casey (D)

2025 NHL Draft Class

Round 2, 50th overall - Conrad Fondrk, C, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

Round 2, 63rd overall - Ben Kevan, RW, Des Moines (USHL)

Round 3, 90th overall - Mason Moe, C, Madison (USHL)

Round 4, 99th overall - Trenten Bennett, G, Kemptville (Jr. A)

Round 4, 114th overall - Gustav Hillstrom, C, Brynas Jr. (Swe.)

Round 6, 161st overall - David Rozsival, RW, Liberec Jr. (Cze.)

Round 6, 178th overall - Sigge Holmgren, D, Brynas Jr. (Swe.)

The New Jersey Devils traded their first-round pick in the Jacob Markstrom deal, so their first pick came in Round 2, where they drafted center Conrad Fondrk from the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. In a weird season where injuries and an underwhelming NTDP group likely played a factor in his production, Fondrk showcased some enticing skill as a passer and shooter. His skating and defensive details are areas for improvement, but in the offensive zone, he could be an effective player. Heading to Boston University in the fall, he will have ample time to get bigger, faster and stronger. 

Ben Kevan, a speedy forward, has an impressive highlight reel. He isn’t the most physical player, but he will hunt down loose pucks in space and try to attack on the fly. He is at his best when attacking in motion, struggling a bit when things get bogged down or the puck is worked through the cycle. When he’s 1-on-1 with a defender, Kevan can embarrass an opponent with his slick hands and a burst of speed to blow by them. He must work on the details of his game, but he has a ton of promise. 

When the Devils snagged Mason Moe in the third round, they made a low-upside bet on a player who has good tools across the board while lacking a standout skill. Moe helped fill the gaps in Ryker Lee’s game this season, showing his attention to detail so that his hyper-skilled teammate could take advantage of his tools. Moe is a tactical two-way forward who almost always finds himself in an excellent position to make the next play. There’s a very good chance that he ends up being a solid NCAA player for the University of Minnesota.

The Devils took a swing on a massive goalie in the fourth round, drafting the 6-foot-8 Trenten Bennett. Primarily playing in the Jr. A CCHL before getting a stint with the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack, Bennett is an intimidating presence for shooters as they bear down on the net. His frame takes up so much of the net that they have to rely on making him move to open up holes. Bennett is a project, but he’s heading to St. Lawrence University in a year, so he will have plenty of time to refine some of the movement in his game. 

Nabbing Gustav Hillstrom in the fourth round might be the best value pick for New Jersey in the 2025 draft. He brings size, a high defensive work rate and value as a playmaker and a net-crashing scorer. Hillstrom isn’t the flashiest player, but he can bust out some fancy hands from time to time, using his length to evade pressure. His biggest strength offensively is his ability to read the play off the puck so that he can burst through seams and create off a pass. Hillstrom could end up as a very solid third-liner who does a bit of everything for a team with championship aspirations. 

Drafting out of the Czech junior league is always hit and miss, but the Devils made a nice bet on David Rozsival. He’s heading to the USHL, where he can adapt to the North American game. Dealing with physicality won’t be one of those adaptations, as he even invites contact at times. Rosival gets in on the forecheck and understands how to pressure a defender to force mistakes. He doesn’t have high-end offensive upside, but he plays like a solid third-liner. 

The Devils capped off the draft with one of the more interesting picks of the draft. Sigge Holmgren did not play this past year because of a shoulder injury before the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He’s tough to evaluate, but he has shown some puck-moving ability at the U-18 level in 2023-24. Taking a swing this late is well worth it if the Devils deemed him a player of interest before the injury.

Strengths

The Devils don’t have a position that jumps out as a crystal clear strength.

They have solid prospects at just about every position, but they don’t have a ton of depth. With Nemec being an exception to the typical rule that a player counts in this exercise if they are Calder-eligible, the defense is a strength, even if it doesn’t stand out. 

Nemec and Silayev could be top-four impact defenders in very different ways, with Nemec being the offensive foil to Silayev’s defensive acumen. Casey looks to prove he’s not just a tweener who is a top AHL defender who’s not quite good enough to be an NHLer. 

There are some interesting bets in the system, such as the raw Daniil Orlov, a growing defensive blueliner with a physical edge. Charlie Leddy is an intriguing depth prospect entering his senior NCAA season, playing a steady, simple game. 

It’s not like the Devils have incredible depth on the blueline, but they have some players worth following on the back end. 

Weaknesses

The Devils have solid centers in the NHL. Core pieces Jack Hughes and Hischier are an elite duo. Soon-to-be 24-year-old Dawson Mercer has promise as a third-line center. Cody Glass is an excellent option at fourth-line center. Glass and Hischier are the elder statesmen among the foursome at 26. 

That helps mitigate the weakness the Devils’ pipeline has down the middle. 

They added Fondrk, Hillstrom and Moe in the draft, which helps, but the prospects who were already in the pipeline haven’t given much for people to be excited about. 

Samu Salminen has struggled to establish his game in the NCAA. Matyas Melovsky is a solid two-way center, and he scored a bit in the QMJHL this past year, but he’s not really an offensive force, which limits his upside. 

The Devils don’t necessarily need a center soon, but if injuries strike and the team looks to its pipeline, there won’t be much to draw from. 

Hidden Gem: Mikhail Yegorov, G

Things were going well for Yegorov in the USHL, playing for Omaha and putting up good personal numbers, but the team couldn’t chain together wins. An opportunity to play regularly in the NCAA a year earlier than expected drove Yegorov to make the move mid-season. 

Switching leagues and teams in the middle of his season was a risk that paid off in a big way. 

Yegorov isn’t often mentioned with the top goalie prospects in the world, but after the showcase he put on this past season, maybe he should be. He saved BU’s season and helped the Terriers reach the national title game. He was stellar in just about every game, making massive saves behind a team that liked to push the pace. The Devils have finally fixed their NHL goaltending with Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen, but when the time comes, Yegorov will be the answer in the blue paint for the next era.

Next Man Up: Simon Nemec, D

It’s time for Nemec to come into training camp and give the Devils no other option than to put him on the team. 

This past year, there was plenty of tension between the player and the organization, and a trade remains a possibility. If he is still there in training camp, Nemec must show his impact and worth at both ends of the ice. He must showcase his playmaking ability and creativity offensively and then use his skating and reads to play excellent defense. There is a spot for him on the NHL roster, and it’s on Nemec to take it. 

Prospect Depth Chart Notables

LW: Lenni Hameenaho, Cole Brown, Josh Filmon, Shane Lachance

C: Conrad Fondrk, Gustav Hillstrom, Samu Salminen, Matyas Melovsky, Mason Moe

RW: Arseniy Gritsyuk, Ben Kevan, Cam Squires, David Rozsival

LD: Anton Silayev, Daniil Orlov, Topias Vilen, Daniil Karpovich

RD: Simon Nemec, Seamus Casey, Sigge Holmstrom, Charlie Leddy

G: Mikhail Yegorov, Trenten Bennett, Veeti Louhivaara, Tyler Brennan, Jakub Malek 

For a deeper dive into the prospect pool with player rankings, check out the Yearbook and Future Watch editions of The Hockey News in print.

Of all the NHL teams that improved this off-season, the Montreal Canadiens may have improved the most. 

Trading for a No. 1 defenseman, Noah Dobson, from the New York Islanders really elevates Montreal’s game, and acquiring up-and-coming right winger Zack Bolduc from the St. Louis Blues improves the Habs’ attack up front.

But looming not too far in the distance is a showdown we anticipate could be one of the most compelling battles in the league next season – the Canadiens’ rivalry with the Ottawa Senators. If things shake out in the standings the way we think they may, Montreal and Ottawa could wind up fighting it out for one of the last Stanley Cup playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.

This past season, Ottawa got into the post-season with a fourth-place finish in the highly competitive Atlantic Division. Montreal squeezed into the playoffs with their fifth-place finish in the Atlantic. 

Next season, however, there may be only four Atlantic teams that get into the playoffs, as the Metropolitan Division’s New York Rangers could bounce back and give the division four representatives in the post-season. If the Columbus Blue Jackets prove last year’s improvement was for real, they may even end their drought.

If that’s what comes to pass, the battle in the Atlantic will be ferocious. The back-to-back defending Cup-champion Florida Panthers are locks to be a playoff team in 2025-26. The Toronto Maple Leafs – which led the Atlantic this past season – are also all but guaranteed to be a playoff team this coming year. The same goes for the Tampa Bay Lightning, which bolstered their lineup in 2025.

That leaves a slew of teams – the Canadiens, Senators, Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins – competing for what could only be one playoff berth. And out of those five teams, we feel that Ottawa and Montreal are best-positioned to return to the playoffs. But if only one of them can make it, that will certainly crank up the heat of an already-hot Montreal and Ottawa rivalry.

Make no mistake: this rivalry is already intense.

Senators fans don’t forget Arber Xhekaj hitting and injuring former prospects Angus Crookshank and Viktor Lodin in the AHL and a rookie tournament, respectively. A high pre-season hit that knocked Tim Stutzle out of the game and earned Xhekaj a major penalty last fall caused a stir as well. And Canadiens fans, along with Brendan Gallagher, have accused Stutzle of embellishment in the past. Both teams virtually forgot about the play to tussle during an important game this past April.

This upcoming season, the Canadiens and the Senators will square off four times – once at the start of November, again at the start of December, once in mid-January and one final time on March 11. That final game will be particularly important, as it will come after the league’s 2026 trade deadline. At that point, Montreal and Ottawa’s lineups will be as good as they can be, and fans of both clubs will pack the Senators’ arena to watch them battle.

The close proximity between the Senators and Canadiens and playoff matchups from the last decade have already built a strong rivalry. But if either club puts a dagger in the heart of its rival and prevents them from making the playoffs, this rivalry will be scorching. That’s good news for league executives whose blueprint for success hinges on building up rivalries within divisions.

If we’re being honest, we think the Canadiens have a shot at leapfrogging over the Senators. Montreal has been proactive in improving its lineup, while Ottawa has largely stood pat with its group from last year and filled the gaps. We’re not suggesting teams that make big off-season moves are guaranteed to do better than teams that have been static with their lineup. But the Canadiens’ dynamic attack might just prove to be better than that of the Senators.

Time will tell whether this prognostication is correct. But if a heightened Sens/Habs rivalry is in the cards this season, their battles will be epic. One lost point here or there might just be the difference between a team making or missing the playoffs, so every Canadiens and Senators game will have major repercussions on their season. That’s exactly the type of development that will boost the league’s business.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

The Hockey News’ NHL summer splash rankings continue with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

As part of this ongoing series, we’re analyzing every team’s off-season, examining which teams improved, stayed the same or got worse with their moves (or lack thereof) this off-season. Each column will break down additions and departures, including hirings and firings.

You can see the teams that finished lower than the Maple Leafs at the bottom. But first thing’s first – let’s get to Toronto’s changes, and see why we’re ranking them 26th overall in the NHL summer splash rankings.

Additions

Matias Maccelli (LW), Dakota Joshua (LW), Nicolas Roy (C), Michael Pezzetta (LW), Henry Thrun (D)

The Breakdown: Faced with the loss of superstar right winger Mitch Marner, Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving used Marner’s salary cap space to balance out Toronto’s group of forwards. 

First, Treliving traded for Maccelli from the Utah Mammoth. He then acquired Roy in the sign-and-trade that sent Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights. Finally, Treliving brought on two rugged wingers: Joshua in a trade with the Vancouver Canucks, and former Montreal Canadien Pezzetta in free agency.

Maccelli should start the year in Toronto’s top six, trying to make the most of his playmaking skills. Joshua, Roy and Pezzetta – the latter of whom may begin the season in the press box as a healthy scratch – will make the Leafs’ bottom six more abrasive and responsible at both ends of the ice. 

It was always going to be nearly impossible to replace the scoring Marner brought to the table, so Treliving used his cap space to make the Leafs a different type of team.

If Maccelli can rebound from his down season in 2024-25, when he had 18 points in 55 games, and if Joshua and Roy can amp up the two-way play, the Leafs will once again be a playoff team in the hyper-competitive Atlantic Division. This is an optimist’s point of view, but Treliving and Leafs brass are gambling their jobs that it will work out in their favor.

Departures

Mitch Marner (RW), Ryan Reaves (RW), Pontus Holmberg (LW), Max Pacioretty (LW), Alex Steeves (LW), Jani Hakanpaa (D), Brendan Shanahan (president)

The Breakdown: Marner was the biggest UFA on the market this summer, and in more than one respect, his departure is devastating, as it would be for any team that lost a creative and dominant regular-season performer of his caliber. 

But the losses for Toronto didn’t stop there. Treliving freed up cap space by dealing Reaves to the San Jose Sharks, while Holmberg (now with the Tampa Bay Lightning), Steeves (now a Boston Bruin), Pacioretty and Hakanpaa (both UFAs) have also become ex-Leafs.

With the exception of Marner, all of the aforementioned Leafs forwards are essentially replaceable. Holmberg bounced between Toronto’s third and fourth lines with not a lot of success, while Pacioretty, admittedly a terrific playoff performer for the Buds last spring, has trouble staying healthy. Reaves and Steeves were fringe players who finished the year with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. So in the macro picture, aside from Marner, the forwards Toronto has acquired this summer are arguably better than the forwards Toronto has lost.

Marner’s exit seemed to be in the cards for months, if not years, when he didn’t sign a contract extension. Treliving – essentially powerless to stop Marner (and his no-trade clause) from orchestrating his departure – did what he could with the talent available in free agency and trades. But when it comes to pure upper-tier talent, the Leafs have taken a major blow. And they now have to prove they can thrive in the post-Marner Era.

Toronto Maple Leafs Changed Their DNA After AllThe Toronto Maple Leafs didn’t use all their salary cap space right as NHL free agency opened, which suggested they weren’t done yet.

The Bottom Line

There may be more departures (and additions) if Treliving intends to use the $2.9 million he currently has in cap space and bring in more experience. A top-six winger is obviously the priority for the Maple Leafs, as their goaltending and defense corps are all firmed up to the satisfaction of management. After all, the Leafs won the regular-season Atlantic title last year, and they still have a lot of Grade-A talent that will keep them in the mix to win the Atlantic again this coming season.

With established stars under long-term contracts – Auston Matthews, William Nylander and John Tavares – an up-and-coming elite power forward in left winger Matthew Knies, a highly touted prospect in left winger Easton Cowan, a solid group of blueliners and a netminding tandem that’s the envy of many teams, the Leafs aren’t going to be a playoff bubble team. A bite from the injury bug may hamper Toronto’s effectiveness, but there’s a good deal of depth at just about every position with this team, and that should help the Maple Leafs weather any health-related storm.

Still, the reason the Leafs are rated so low in the NHL summer splash rankings is directly due to the loss of Marner. He was Toronto’s leading offensive force last year, had a career year in assists (75) and points (102), and the Buds didn’t have a realistic replacement for his skill set.

The Maple Leafs can still have a great year without Marner, but they’re going to be a significantly different type of team – prioritizing snot and ruggedness over offensive dominance – and the results of that change in philosophy remain to be seen.

Summer Splash Rankings

26. Toronto Maple Leafs

27. Dallas Stars

28. Calgary Flames

29. Los Angeles Kings

30. Winnipeg Jets

31. Chicago Blackhawks

32. Buffalo Sabres

The Nashville Predators are today’s focus in the NHL prospect pool overview series.

Tony Ferrari digs into the Predators’ strengths and weaknesses, latest draft class, positional depth chart, next player in line for an NHL opportunity and more. A player who no longer holds rookie eligibility in the NHL is considered graduated and no longer a prospect for these exercises, with few exceptions.

Initial Thoughts

It’s tough to figure out what the Predators are trying to be right now.

The team is trying to compete after a poor season, but the Preds also made three first-round picks to bolster their pipeline.

GM Barry Trotz said he wants to see if the veteran group can bounce back. Adding prospects to the pipeline, at the very least, gives Nashville a chance to come out of what could be a disaster with a head start on the rebuild.

Matthew Wood is one of the top prospects in the system for Nashville, signing his entry-level contract after three solid seasons in the NCAA. He dealt with some ups and downs in college but ultimately finished fairly strong. 

Wood got into six NHL games, and he will likely be in the lineup to start the season. His finishing ability and size are the assets the Preds want him to showcase. Wood isn’t the fleetest of foot, and he doesn’t drive a line, but as a complementary offensive weapon, Wood has the tools to be a very effective winger. 

The Predators have waited for Joakim Kemell to break through and force his way into the NHL lineup, but it hasn’t happened just yet. The 21-year-old Finn has always been praised for his lethal shooting ability. Kemell can throw some of his weight around at times as well. Unfortunately, Kemell has poor habits when it comes to shooting location. His two full AHL seasons have been fairly steady, putting up 41 and 40 points, but he hasn’t looked dominant or threatening as a goal-scorer quite yet.

Teddy Stiga was one of the best value picks of the 2024 NHL draft. Although he is a bit on the smaller side at just 5-foot-10, his freshman season in the NCAA proved the Preds may have found a very important piece for the future. 

Stiga is relentless in all facets of the game, consistently working to get pucks back by getting in on attacks or chasing down loose pucks into the corners. Offensively, he helps drive his line’s success by providing his linemates with a hard-working, skilled player to work with. Stiga wasn’t given much run with Boston College’s top players last year, but he still managed to put up 30 points in 36 games. This upcoming year, he could be reunited with USA Hockey National Team Development Program teammate James Hagens on the top line, and the duo could tear up the NCAA. 

The Preds love players with a blend of skill and physicality, and Egor Surin brings that in spades. He can crush a player along the wall or below the goal line, pick up the puck and deke a defender on his way to the net. Surin had a good year in the KHL, and he has two more years on his contract in Russia. Altering speed and learning to play a bit more refined defensive hockey will be a big step for the entertaining Russian. 

Kalan Lind is a wrecking ball, constantly looking to inflict pain on defenders whenever he’s hunting them down on the forecheck. Lind is the kind of player that teams value for his playoff impact when the rules become more relaxed and the game gets heavier. He’s never going to be a big scorer at the NHL level, but he could play a very steady depth role and break out in the post-season. He has some good playmaking ability at times, but his on-puck game has plenty of room for growth.

Although he’s been traded twice now, David Edstrom is a very good player. It’s why he went from Vegas to San Jose in the Tomas Hertl trade, and it’s why Nashville wanted him in the trade that sent Yaroslav Askarov to the Sharks. 

Edstrom is a big, mobile, reliable center who plays the game the way coaches want. He’s got solid two-way utility and connects plays well as a passer. After a couple of seasons in the Swedish League, he’ll play in the AHL after getting a taste in the playoffs.

The Predators have been enamored with the development and play of Tanner Molendyk over the last couple of years, but they’ve been patient in not rushing him into the NHL. He finished his junior career with a WHL championship before falling in the Memorial Cup final, but he did a great job in using his mobility and intelligence to dictate play from the back end. He will likely join the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals this season, and it wouldn’t shock anyone if he gets off to a solid start and finds himself in the NHL at some point. 

U-23 Players Likely to Play NHL Games This Season 

Zachary L’Heureux (LW), Fedor Svechkov (C)

2025 NHL Draft Class

Round 1, 5th overall - Brady Martin, C, S.S. Marie (OHL)

Round 1, 21st overall - Cameron Reid, D, Kitchener (OHL)

Round 1, 26th overall - Ryker Lee, RW, Madison (USHL)

Round 2, 35th overall - Jacob Rombach, D, Lincoln (USHL)

Round 2, 58th overall - Jack Ivankovic, G, Brampton (OHL)

Round 4, 122nd overall - Alex Huang, D, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)

Round 6, 163rd overall - Daniel Nieminen, D, Pelicans (Fin.)

The Nashville Predators had the opportunity to alter their future with three first-round picks and five picks in the top 60. They opted for a mix of safe picks and risky selections. Only time will tell if the 2025 NHL draft class will have the effect that Preds fans and management hope it can.

With the fifth pick, the Predators sought a player who would bring physicality, drive and an endless motor. Those are the reasons Trotz gave for taking Brady Martin in the top five. Martin is a missile on the ice, constantly looking to throw his weight around and level opponents along the boards.

Martin may not have quite the offensive upside of some of the other players available, but he is nearly a surefire bet to be a solid NHLer. His offensive game isn’t anything to shy away from, either. He can bang and crash, cleaning up garbage around the net. He also has a solid shot from the slot. Martin creates offense through his physical play, winning battles on the boards or turning pucks over on the forecheck. Martin may not be a No. 1 center, but he should be an effective player nonetheless.

At 21st overall, the Predators took a swing on one of the most intriguing defenseman in the draft, Cameron Reid. He’s a high-level skater who loves to attack up ice and join the rush. In the offensive zone, his mobility to walk the line and fire crisp passes all over the ice makes him dangerous. He can beat opponents off the blueline to open up more opportunities to make plays. The six-foot Reid needs to work on his defensive game, particularly when the play gets hemmed in his own end, but the upside is enticing. 

Speaking of enticing upside, Ryker Lee was so much fun to watch this season for Madison in the United States League. His puckhandling is tantalizing, creating space with his hands and manipulating the position of the puck to open passing or shooting lanes. His defensive game is a work in progress, but his offensive tools are absolutely unreal at times. Lee has a fantastic shot, but his creativity and touch as a passer make him special. His skating needs to develop so that he can better use his skills, which makes the move to Michigan State such a smart one. College will allow him to refine his craft against bigger, stronger competition. 

Jacob Rombach is a physical defensive defenseman. He won’t try to make flashy or skilled plays, understanding the limitations of his game and playing within them. The 6-foot-6 defender is a smooth skater who reads play and cuts it down as quickly as possible. He has the tools to make a good breakout pass or connecting play, but his offensive game won’t blow anyone away. Rombach is a throwback in some ways, bringing the big hits and physical edge that teams love. 

The Predators replenished their goalie pipeline by adding Jack Ivankovic. He may not have been the first goalie off the board, but he was in the top tier of netminders in this class. His six-foot size was the one limiting factor for NHL scouts, but his technical game and athleticism are exactly what they should want. Ivankovic has been a fixture for Team Canada at the junior levels because he can not only give his team a chance to win but also steal games. 

Alex Huang was talked about as a potential first-rounder heading into the season. The defenseman’s mobility and passing were impressive throughout the campaign. Huang took advantage of the QMJHL's softer defensive structure to find passing lanes or room to change the angle. His defensive play was inconsistent, and Huang’s overall issue is that he has struggled to consistently impact the game at both ends when the pace and pressure increase.

With their final pick of the draft, Nashville took Daniel Nieminen. The 19-year-old Finnish blueliner has always been an excellent skater, but this year, he showed just how well-rounded his game is. His puck-moving ability is impressive and efficient. Nieminen uses his skating defensively as well, cutting off play and gapping up quickly to take away the time to make a play.

Strengths

For a team that has struggled to find a true No. 1 center for most of its existence, the Predators prioritized drafting players with at least some center experience. 

Wood and Joey Willis have played some center, but they’ll likely wind up as wingers at the next level. But their centers who have an actual chance of sticking there are solid bets. 

The recently drafted Martin is a one-man wrecking crew who has some intriguing upside. Surin is a high-energy center who plays fast and skillfully. Felix Nilsson is a complete, do-it-all center who understands how to advance play on just about every shift. Edstrom is a strong two-way center with the size and mobility to be an effective middle-six pivot. The Preds may not have a true No. 1 in the pipeline still, but they have a handful of centers who could all be legitimate options in the middle six. 

Weaknesses

The Predators have done a fairly good job of rebuilding the prospect pool, but the one area they haven’t really addressed yet is the right side of the defense. 

They have a couple of low-upside long shots, but they don’t have a potential top-four blueliner. On the left side, they have Molendyk, Reid and maybe Rombach or Nieminen, depending on how much rope you want to give them. Jack Matier and Andrew Gibson look like depth players at most, and the more recent draft picks don’t come with much pedigree. Finding a young D-man on the right side will be key to building toward the next era. 

Hidden Gem: Felix Nilsson, C/W

With incredible intelligence and a tactical approach to the game, Nilsson has grown quite a bit since being drafted in 2023. The 19-year-old had a bit of a breakout season in the SHL with 22 points in 40 games. 

Nilsson is a playmaker who makes crisp passes as he works his way around the ice like a chess player. He uses his teammates and positions himself to receive return passes, working give-and-gos around the ice. In the offensive zone, Nilsson consistently funnels pucks to dangerous scoring areas. The ability to read the play and make the correct passes with perfect timing and weight makes Nilsson a very steady center.

Next Man Up: Matthew Wood, C/W

While most of the projected lineups have Wood listed in the bottom six, his offensive habits and dual-threat ability will work best in the top six. 

Wood has consistently been able to play alongside high-end players as a passing option in give-and-go plays or on the boards in transition. Wood keeps pace, fills space and understands how to present the puck carrier with an outlet at every turn. He stays connected to his linemates, keeping good spacing. Wood is likely to bounce around the lineup, but if he gets a shot in the top six, he could be a sneaky Calder candidate. 

Prospect Depth Chart Notables

LW: Matthew Wood, Teddy Stiga, Joey Willis, Kalan Lind, Reid Schaefer, Viktor Norringer

C: Brady Martin, Egor Surin, Felix Nilsson, David Edstrom, Adam Ingram

RW: Ryker Lee, Joakim Kemell, Aiden Fink, Hiroki Gojsic, Ozzy Wiesblatt

LD: Tanner Molendyk, Cameron Reid, Adam Wilsby, Jacob Rombach, Daniel Nieminen, Viggo Gustafsson

RD: Jack Matier, Andrew Gibson, Alex Huang, Kasper Kulonummi

G: Jack Ivankovic, Jakub Milota, Magnus Chrona

For a deeper dive into the prospect pool with player rankings, check out the Yearbook and Future Watch editions of The Hockey News in print.

The Hockey News Big Show discussed the top players in the NHL right now, as ranked in THN’s Top 100 Players issue, and other topics as the off-season continues.

The NHL's Top Players Right Now by The Big Showundefined

Here’s what Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos and Ryan Kennedy discussed in this episode:

01:00: Why was Nathan Mackinon No. 1 on the list?

04:00: Thoughts on Cale Makar’s spot on the list?

06:00: What were the criteria for the top 10 of the list?

07:40: How much did championships play a factor?

09:00: Which player in the top 10 who hasn't won the Stanley Cup will win it first?

13:00: Which players who weren’t on the list could jump onto it in the future?

16:30: Who could potentially fall out of the list?

19:00:  Who are some young players who could soon join the list?

20:40: Who will be the most improved players?

23:50: Which rookie will make the list first?

26:15: Looking toward the season ahead, which teams could exceed expectations and or disappoint?

30:15: Are the Toronto Maple Leafs worse on paper?

33:00: Which team are you most excited to watch going into next season?

36:30: Did the Tampa Bay Lightning need to do more?

38:45: Should the Florida Panthers still be considered Cup favourites?

40:45: Where does the Tkachuk-Huberdeau deal rank in terms of blockbuster trades?

43:30: Kappo Kakko signed a three-year contract. Yay or nay on the cap hit and term?

44:40: How stoked are you for Adam Fox appearing in an ad for The Naked Gun reboot?

Watch the full Episode here 

Subscribe to The Hockey News Big Show on your preferred platform.

It turns out there won’t be any drama surrounding highly touted right winger Porter Martone at the Philadelphia Flyers’ training camp this fall.

Martone, selected sixth overall in the recent NHL draft, won’t be competing for a Flyers roster spot this year because he committed to Michigan State on Monday.

He has the Flyers’ blessing.

“We are very supportive of the decision made by Porter and excited to see him developing into a Flyer very soon,” GM Danny Briere said on Tuesday night.

“Very soon” means he could sign an entry-level deal with the Flyers before the upcoming NHL season ends.

It wouldn’t be surprising if Martone, 18, spent one year at Michigan State and then joined the Flyers.

At Michigan State, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Martone will be teammates with Flyers prospect Shane Vansaghi – another plus for the Flyers because they could be on the same line and develop some chemistry that might have a carryover effect down the road. 

Vansaghi, a 6-foot-3, 212-pound winger called ‘The Truck,’ was drafted by the Flyers in the second round (48th overall) last month.

In any event, Martone changed plans after the Flyers’ recent development camp, when he said his goal was to play a “full season” in the NHL in 2025-26. He said at the time if Flyers management thinks differently, he would talk with his agent.

He will now bypass the Flyers’ training camp and be at Michigan State.

Flyers assistant GM Brent Flahr, who heads the Flyers’ draft room, loves Martone’s maturity as a player and his ability to make plays but recently said “the pace of his game is going to have to pick up.”

An Ontario native, Martone’s learning curve will progress in the NCAA, where he will play against bigger and stronger competition than he faced in juniors. 

With Brampton in the OHL this past season, Martone had 98 points (37 goals, 61 assists) and 74 penalty minutes in 57 games with the Steelheads.

Michigan State won its second consecutive Big Ten championship last season but was eliminated by Cornell in the first round of the NCAA men’s hockey tournament.

The Spartans are loaded with NHL prospects and are expected to be a contender for the national title next season, with Martone in the middle of things.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

Entering the dog days of this NHL off-season, activity has slowed in the trade market. However, it hasn't kept Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson's name out of the rumor mill. 

The 26-year-old left winger became the subject of media trade gossip following the Stars' elimination from the 2025 Western Conference final.

Being a year away from RFA eligibility, pundits wondered if he would be moved to free up his $7.75-million cap hit to pursue a big-ticket player via the trade or free-agent markets.

Those rumors persisted despite subsequent reports claiming the Stars weren't peddling Robertson. If they intended to dump his salary to pursue a bigger star, the opportunity may have passed. The shallow free-agent pool quickly drained of talent, and trades involving notable players occurred weeks ago. 

The Stars became cap-compliant for this season by shipping defenseman Matt Dumba to the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 10, putting them $1.085 million under the cap with 22 active roster players under contract. 

Still, Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos has Robertson atop his latest off-season trade board. He wonders if the Stars will commit to signing him to a long-term extension.

Robertson has arbitration rights next summer, at which point he'll also be a year away from UFA eligibility. Kypreos believes the Stars prefer to avoid going down that path but pondered whether they'd be willing to pay him as much as teammate Mikko Rantanen, who signed a long-term deal worth $12 million annually earlier this year.

Kypreos' colleague, Ryan Dixon, noted that Robertson lacks no-trade protection, but moving a scorer of his caliber would still be a difficult task. While many teams would be interested, finding a trade partner willing to offer a suitable return with the cap space to re-sign him could prove challenging. 

Nevertheless, Dixon proposed seven potential trade partners, with the Los Angeles Kings, Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals leading the pack. The Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Seattle Kraken and Utah Mammoth rounded out his list.

The Hockey News’ Julian Gaudio said Robertson possesses the high-end skill the Kraken lack, and they have first-rounders and prospects to offer if Dallas wants those.

Stars GM Jim Nill could entertain offers for Robertson. Given his contract status and offensive value, he's in no rush to move him before next July. Jesse Courville-Lynch said the Kings should be all over trying to acquire Robertson if he becomes available, but they would need to move out salary to make room for him.

Robertson's role may have changed following the acquisition of Rantanen, but he remains their most reliable offensive forward, with 80 points in 82 games this past season. Nill can afford to let this season play out and see how his club performs before seriously considering trade opportunities for Robertson.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.