Daily Faceoff

Ducks sign top prospect Nikita Klepov to entry-level contract

Steven Ellis — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 22:22:32 GMT

The Anaheim Ducks have signed 2026 first-round pick Nikita Kelpov to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Klepov’s deal will hold a cap hit of $1.075 million.

Klepov was the 15th overall pick this past June. The 18-year-old is coming off one of the best seasons in the OHL, registering a league-high 97 points (37 goals and 60 assists) with the Saginaw Spirit. He did it as a rookie, having played with the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers the year prior. Just before kicking off his tenure in Saginaw, Klepov helped the United States win gold at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup thanks to his six points in five games.

SIGNED: Our 2026 first round pick (15th overall) Nikita Klepov has signed a three-year entry-level contract.https://t.co/yfSvOCYK91
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) July 25, 2026

Notably, Klepov was set to play for the NCAA’s Michigan State University Spartans in 2026-27. The Spartans even listed him on their roster in a social media post on Friday. The deal prevents Klepov from going the college route, with Anaheim and Saginaw being the only options for the winger. Klepov was drafted 35th overall by the Spirit during the 2025 CHL Import Draft.

The Deerfield Beach, Florida native was rated as the No. 1 prospect on Daily Faceoff’s Anaheim Ducks prospect pool rankings earlier this summer.

Klepov is a tremendous playmaker, with many considering him to be among the best in the CHL. But he’s also a stout shooter and wasn’t far off from reaching the 40-goal barrier, too. It was surprising, given he only put up 31 points in the USHL the year prior. Klepov plays with a ton of finesse, but he’s also physically strong, too. He’s just an OK skater, but it doesn’t feel like something that scouts are too worried about eventually.

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Top remaining NHL free agents: The best 2026 UFAs still on the board

Matt Larkin — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 22:07:13 GMT

On your mark…get set…sign!

Despite the fact that, wink wink, NHL teams were prohibited from negotiating with unrestricted free agents before noon ET on July 1, the contracts came fast and furious as always. Even with a cluster of the best UFAs signing before the market opened, Day 1 of free agency featured plenty of activity, as GMs were liberated to throw money around with the salary cap rising from $95.5 million to $104 million for 2026-27.

Who remains on the market almost a month in? Here’s a list of the best remaining 2026 NHL UFAs, including their rankings on our board as of July 1.

Rank	2025-26 Cap Hit	Name	Age	Position	Games Played	Goals (Wins)	Assists (GAA)	Points (SV%)
14	$8,700,000	Patrik Laine	28	RW	5	0	1	1
19	$1,250,000	Logan Stanley	28	D	76	9	17	26
24	$4,750,000	Vladimir Tarasenko	34	RW	75	23	24	47
25	$4,500,000	Michael Bunting	30	LW	74	14	19	33
26	$3,475,000	Eeli Tolvanen	27	LW	78	12	14	36
33	$2,500,000	Cam Talbot	38	G	34	12	3.19	.883
34	$4,000,000	John Klingberg	33	D	56	10	17	27
37	$775,000	Nick Blankenburg	28	D	61	8	16	24
43	$1,000,000	James van Riemsdyk	37	LW	72	15	16	31
47	$1,950,000	Connor Ingram	29	G	32	16	2.60	.899
49	$4,000,000	David Perron	38	LW	65	13	15	28
—	$4,000,000	Jonathan Drouin	31	LW	64	4	20	24
—	$3,000,000	Adam Henrique	36	C	65	3	12	15
—	$3,250,000	Carson Soucy	31	D	76	5	7	12
—	$850,000	James Reimer	38	G	14	7	2.42	.886

On the bubble

Calle Jarnkrok
Jesse Puljujarvi
Reilly Smith
Matt Grzelcyk
Mike Reilly
Jeff Petry
Pavol Regenda
Philipp Kurashev
Evander Kane

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POST SPONSORED BY bet365

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Recently by Matt Larkin

Why has Canada struggled to develop elite goaltenders?

Tyler Kuehl — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 02:00:00 GMT

While Canada remains one of the powerhouses of international hockey, the glaring issue within the nation is the number of top-end goaltenders…or lack thereof.

Over the past two best-on-best tournaments, Canada has ridden the hand of veteran netminder Jordan Binnington. While the St. Louis Blues backstop has managed to turn his game up a notch at the right time – helping Canada win the 4 Nations Face-Off and taking home a silver medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics – the fact that he has been the country’s only option is concerning.

While countries like the United States, Sweden and Finland have the ability to go to multiple goaltenders in international tournaments, with many young prospects climbing through the ranks, Canada doesn’t have a deep prospect pool at the position.

On this week’s edition of Daily Faceoff LIVE, New Jersey Devils goaltender Jake Allen explains why he believes Canada has failed to produce a large quantity of exceptional netminders.

Jake Allen: I think we still have a ton of great goalies in Canada. I will say that off the bat…It’s definitely just, I think, a lapse in time. I think it’s going to come back. I’m not connected with the minor hockey stuff. I don’t really know what’s going on at that level. I think at that level you just learn to skate, play, track pucks, do that type of thing. I think the way the game is going, what I mentioned earlier about like breaking out of your foundation, and you look at the draft this year. I can’t remember the numbers, but the number of goalies that were picked this year, I think I want to say it was like 80% from Europe. I think teams are just taking fliers on guys that hopefully, ‘you know, ‘This guy’s got this much tools in the toolbox, but does he have the brain to go with that toolbox?’ Some of them do, some of them don’t. They’re willing to take that risk because that’s the way the game is trending.

I want to see the Canadian goaltending get back to the top. I truly believe there’s still so much possibility with that. It’s just a lapse in time where some countries have just passed us b…I don’t really know what’s going on behind the scenes and minor hockey and junior anymore, but I think it’s probably a bit of the way we train, the way that we can maybe take that next step in development. It’s hard to do, especially when you’re playing CHL, NCAA. NHL teams are telling you one thing. Your other goalie coach is telling you another thing. Like I mentioned before, it’s about having so many tools in the toolbox and just making it work. Experience is a real thing, and it’s tough to do unless you get an opportunity. Sometimes an opportunity is the hardest thing to get. So, I’m really hoping that over the next few years, and when I retire, we’ll climb back up the ranks.

You can watch the full segment and entire episode here…

Panthers sign Akira Schmid to two-year contract

Kyle Morton — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 20:57:13 GMT

The last arbitration-bound contract dispute in the NHL has been settled, as the Florida Panthers have signed goalie Akira Schmid to a two-year contract that will carry a salary cap hit of $2 million per year, as first reported by Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman.

The #FlaPanthers signed 26 y/o G Akira Schmid to a two year $2M cap hit contract

Deal is $2M salary flat both seasons and covers 1 UFA year

Rep'd by Allain Roy @rsghockey

1st @FriedgeHNIC https://t.co/E7MOekMmIT
— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) July 24, 2026

Schmid is coming off a two-year stint with the Vegas Golden Knights, where he appeared in 34 games this season for the eventual Western Conference champions. The Switzerland native went 16-10-6 with a .893 save percentage and 2.59 goals against average while handling the heaviest workload of his NHL career.

The highlight of Schmid’s young NHL career came with the New Jersey Devils during the 2022-23 season, when he posted a .922 SV% across 18 regular season appearances before delivering a sterling performance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs that season as the Devils ousted their rival New York Rangers in the first round. Schmid put up a .921 SV% over nine games played that postseason.

Schmid will form one half of a new tandem between the crease in Sunrise, as the Panthers are tasked with replacing Sergei Bobrovsky, who signed a lucrative contract in free agency to join the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The former Devil and Golden Knight will likely serve as the backup to Jacob Markstrom, who began his career in Florida and returns as a veteran after a trade with New Jersey that sent Evan Rodrigues the other way.

The Panthers, who won the Stanley Cup in both 2024 and 2025, are counting on enjoying better health this coming season after their 2025-26 campaign was derailed by a litany of injuries, most notably to captain Aleksander Barkov, who missed the entire season with a torn ACL.

In addition to overhauling the goaltending situation, general manager Bill Zito made one of the splashes of the summer when he acquired Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators for a package of draft picks in a move that united the two Tkachuk brothers and added even more skill and physicality to his team’s top six.

“I think I got one more left in the tank”: UFA Ryan Reaves eyeing another NHL season

Mike Gould — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 18:31:38 GMT

Ryan Reaves is just 38 games shy of hitting 1,000 for his career, and he’s made it clear that he wants to reach that mark.

The 39-year-old winger, who remains an unrestricted free agent after spending the 2025-26 season with the San Jose Sharks, appeared on TSN 1050 in Toronto on Thursday and spoke about his desire to play one more year in the NHL.

“Playing 1,000 games in the NHL is an honor, for sure, especially in the role that I play,” Reaves said on 1050’s First Up show. “But I’ve been training all summer already, and the body’s holding up pretty well. I just think I got one more left in the tank.

“As I came into the league, the older guys would give me advice,” Reaves added. “One [piece of] advice that has been consistent throughout all of them is, ‘Always play as long as you possibly can, because when it’s over, it’s over, and you’re gonna miss it.’ You don’t want to have regrets of, ‘oh, you know, I could’ve played one more year, and I shouldn’t have shut it down.’ I don’t want to have that regret. I think one more year would be fun, and to say I played to 40 would also be kind of fun, too.”

"I think I got one more left in the tank"

Free agent forward @reavo7five joined #FirstUp this morning and shared why he wants to play one more year in the NHL and what it would mean to reach 1000 games played in the NHL. pic.twitter.com/Hj9QuFyCBS
— First Up (@FirstUp1050) July 23, 2026

One of the NHL’s most prolific enforcers of the last two decades, the 6’2″, 225-pound Reaves has amassed 66 goals, 140 points, and 1,137 penalty minutes across his 962 career games with the St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, Vegas Golden Knights, New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Sharks. He’s also appeared in 113 playoff games, including 10 during Vegas’s run to the 2018 Stanley Cup Final.

Reaves first put himself on the radar of NHL clubs with his intensely physical play as a member of the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings, located not far from his hometown of Winnipeg. He made his NHL debut with the Blues in 2010-11 and spent parts of seven seasons with the club before being traded to Pittsburgh in 2017.

After less than one full season with the Penguins, Reaves joined the Golden Knights in 2018 and subsequently enjoyed some of his greatest success with the club. He set career highs with nine goals and 20 points in 80 games in the 2018-19 season and consistently made his presence felt in the playoffs, skating in 48 postseason contests over his four years in Vegas.

Reaves shifted into more of a mercenary role for much of the 2020s, although he still enjoyed intermittent periods of success — including an Eastern Conference Final run with the 2022 Rangers — amidst his frequent team changes. Reaves has been traded five times in his career, most recently from Toronto to San Jose in the 2025 offseason.

Reaves appeared in 50 games with the Sharks during the 2025-26 season, collecting three points (all goals) and 37 penalty minutes while averaging 7:48 of ice time. He finished the year with a minus-12 rating, 25 shots on goal, and 160 hits.

‘I’m not coming home to ride off into the sunset’: Patrick Kane on Blackhawks return

Mike Gould — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 18:00:16 GMT

Chicago Blackhawks fan favorite Patrick Kane spoke publicly about his return to the club for the first time on Friday, and he made it clear that he doesn’t view his second tenure as a farewell tour.

Kane, 37, signed a new two-year contract with the Blackhawks on Thursday, setting the stage for him to return to the United Center as a member of the home team after spending more than three years with two other Original Six franchises, the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings.

Patrick Kane on his return to Chicago: “I’m not coming home to ride off into the sunset. I want to be a big player here.” #Blackhawks
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) July 24, 2026

“Obviously the story is great, coming back to Chicago and being a Blackhawk again,” Kane said Friday. “But most importantly, it was about coming to a team where I think I can fit in well, a team that’s on the rise.”

Born in Buffalo, Kane reportedly chose between the Blackhawks and his hometown Buffalo Sabres in this year’s free agency period. He parlayed his 57 points in 67 games with the Red Wings in 2025-26 into an $8 million average annual salary with Chicago over the next two seasons.

A three-time Stanley Cup champion during his initial stint in Chicago, which ran from 2007-08 to the 2023 trade deadline, Kane will now team up with fellow No. 1 draft pick Connor Bedard in a bid to lift the Blackhawks out of the NHL’s basement. Kane remarked on Friday that he’ll “probably see passes [he’s] never seen before” while playing with Bedard going forward.

Patrick Kane was asked if he's thought about being a wing on Connor Bedard's line:

"How could you not?"

He also talked about developing chemistry with "Frankie" (Frank Nazar) and said that wherever he fits in, he'll play.
— Kalen Lumpkins (@kalenalumpkins) July 24, 2026

The Blackhawks, as well as Kane, haven’t won a playoff series since their last Stanley Cup win in 2015, and Chicago hasn’t hosted an NHL postseason game since 2017. The ‘Hawks have managed fewer than 30 wins in each of their last five 82-game seasons, which includes the first three years of Bedard’s young career.

In 2023, less than four months before they drafted Bedard, the Blackhawks traded Kane to the Rangers. After finishing the 2022-23 campaign on Broadway, Kane underwent career-threatening hip resurfacing surgery; after recovering, he joined the Red Wings, with whom he spent parts of three seasons but never reached the playoffs.

Kyle Davidson was the Blackhawks GM who traded Kane away, and now he’s the one who brought him back. He addressed the media alongside Kane on Friday and spoke about how the Blackhawks have evolved over the past three seasons.

“When Patrick departed a couple years ago, we were in a totally different spot as a franchise,” Davidson said. “We were much more at the outset of this whole project. Now that we’ve got some of these draft picks that have entered and established themselves in the NHL … the time was right with what he provides.”

Patrick Kane: "Obviously the story is great, coming back to Chicago and being a Blackhawk again…but most importantly, it was about to coming to a team where I think I can fit in well, a team that's on the rise."

"I want to come back and make a difference, help the team win."
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) July 24, 2026

Kane has skated in 1,369 career NHL games with the Blackhawks, Rangers, and Red Wings, collecting 508 goals and 1,400 points, and he’s added 53 goals and 138 points in 143 playoff contests. But even after two decades dealing with the grind of the NHL, he emphasized that he wants to continue to play at a high level.

“I’m not coming home to ride off into the sunset,” Kane said. “I want to be a big player here.”

Top 15 prospects to watch at the 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase

Steven Ellis — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 17:54:05 GMT

If you’re missing hockey, we’ve got your fix.

The World Junior Summer Showcase is set to get underway in Windsor, Ontario on Sunday, with USA, Canada, Finland and Sweden taking part in the week-long event. This is one of the top hockey events of the summer, giving fans a chance to watch their top prospects – new and returning – represent their country in hopes of making their respective squad for the 2027 World Junior Championship, which is set to take place in Edmonton and Red Deer this winter.

Finland and Sweden already partake in multiple summer U-20 events. That’s why they’re missing some key players, with Finland, in particular, bringing more of a “B” team. Canada and the United States, meanwhile, will use this as their last opportunity to catch up on their talent before the main event, with USA, in particular, entering two teams to start the tournament.

Here’s a look at 15 prospects you need to know heading into the annual summer funfest. Obviously, this is not an exhaustive list, but an opportunity to give fans a glimpse into who’s worth keeping an eye on:

Carson Carels, LHD, Canada (Calgary Flames)

The North Dakota-bound defender was one of the best young defenders in the CHL, and scouts love him. Hockey Canada clearly does, too, given they had him in a seventh D spot a year ago. Carels brings that rugged, heavy-lifting mentality he and his family use on the farm right onto the ice. When you combine his elite defensive awareness, seamless two-way game, punishing physique and off-the-charts hockey IQ, you get a truly premium defensive prospect. He showed high-end flashes during the World Juniors, and he possesses every tool necessary to become a top-pairing defender one day. Carels’ well-rounded ability makes him very exciting to watch at a tournament like this.

Cole Reschny, C, Canada (Calgary Flames)

Reschny was one of the most impressive freshmen last season, putting up 35 points in 36 games while playing a leading role on one of the top teams in the country. Reschny’s ability to produce no matter the situation makes him so intriguing. He’s not huge, but he makes up for it with explosive speed and elusiveness, making him a tough player to contain on the rush. He’s an outstanding playmaker – legitimately one of the best outside the NHL. Reschny is smart, competitive and has all the makings of a top-six forward in the NHL one day. Look for him to play a big role on Canada’s World Junior team this winter.

Jack Ivankovic, G, Canada (Nashville Predators)

It’s rare for a Canadian goaltender to get two cracks at the can, let alone three. He was the backup to Carter George the past two years, but had a handful of good performances while helping fill the gap. Ivankovic has been a starter at various international events, most notably during the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky in Edmonton. Ivankovic is one of the small goalie prospects I truly believe in. He’s only 5-foot-11, but you’ll have a hard time finding a more competitive goalkeeper. He’s been a high-pedigree goaltender for a long time now, and Hockey Canada absolutely loves him. Furthermore, he’ll also look to chase after a national title and build upon one of the most impressive rookie goaltending campaigns we’ve seen in recent NCAA memory.

Brady Martin, C/RW, Canada (Nashville Predators)

You’re not going to find many guys that work and battle as hard as Martin does, and that was proven with how well he played at the World Juniors. He also started the year in the NHL, which was a bit surprising, yet well-earned. Martin’s numbers were nothing to get excited about in the OHL, but the Greyhounds weren’t entirely deep offensively. And he missed some time due to injury. When he was healthy, he was one of the more fascinating players in major junior. I don’t expect him to be a big point producer, and that’s obviously something you’d probably want out of a fifth overall pick. But he impacts the game in so many ways away from the puck that it makes it challenging to dislike him. Look for Martin to play a top-six role at the main event in December.

Caleb Desnoyers, C, Canada (Utah Mammoth)

Desnoyers will be gunning for a spot on Utah’s NHL roster – but first, he’ll look to secure the top-line center role in Windsor. The 19-year-old has been a powerhouse scoring threat in the QMJHL for a few years now, leading many to believe his next meaningful games will take place in Utah. He’s a strong, 6-foot-2 forward who seems to find scoring lanes out of thin air quite frequently, and he’s a great playmaker, too. After registering six assists in seven games last winter, it would be huge for Canada if they could manage to get Desnoyers back for one last kick at the can.

Caleb Malhotra, C, Canada (Vancouver Canucks)

Malhotra’s steady, intelligent two-way game made him the premier center in the 2026 NHL draft class, and he might end up becoming the No. 1 in Edmonton. While it isn’t the deepest year down the middle, he projects safely as a future top-six threat. He was a driving force behind Brantford’s success last season, especially during the playoffs. He competes relentlessly at both ends of the ice, suffocating opponents and stripping away their time and space. Malhotra has the potential to become a top-line center in the NHL, but it’s up to him to wade through the traffic and steal that job in Windsor. I’ll also give Braeden Cootes a shoutout; I didn’t include him on this because returning players typically don’t get a ton of playing time at the WJSS, and there’s a solid chance he’s in Vancouver full-time in September. If not, look for him to be a solid middle-six player on Canada’s roster in December.

Samu Alalauri, RHD, Finland (Chicago Blackhawks)

Alalauri was outstanding for the Finns at the U-18s a few months ago, and it was easy to understand why. It felt like he played with significant confidence and thrived in the D zone, rarely making a bad pass. Alalauri still needs to improve his ability to make plays in transition because he can be a bit too timid at times. But I like his skating, puck work and general defensive play. The Finns are lacking a true game-changing blueliner on this team, so this will be the perfect opportunity for Alalauri to play a significant role and get the puck moving. I think the Hawks got a good one here, and this will be a great opportunity for him to prove that to the loyal fanbase.

Elton Hermansson, RW, Sweden (Los Angeles Kings)

Hermansson loves generating offense, and he’ll need to do that quite a bit in Windsor. He put up solid numbers in the second-tier Swedish league last year and scored at a goal-per-game pace with the U-18 national team. From an offensive standpoint, there’s a lot to love, especially on the power play. His game away from the puck has improved over the past few months. However, it still feels like he isn’t as impactful as he needs to be when he’s not piling shots on net. I want to see more urgency when attacking opponents to regain possession. The good news: he’s best at the hardest thing to do in hockey, which is scoring goals, and Sweden will need all the help they can get over the next week.

Alexander Command, C, Sweden (New Jersey Devils)

Command isn’t flashy, but he doesn’t have to be. But he has all the makings of a reliable, all-situations center in the NHL. His floor is very high – he fits an archetype that succeeds quite frequently. He’s a smart, solid two-way center who makes everyone around him better. He doesn’t seem to have many off shifts, and that’s because he’s effective away from the puck, too. Command can contribute offensively but also will win faceoffs, block shots and make moves with intent. I’ve liked him internationally, and he has played quite well against his own age group. I think he’s more of a second/third-liner in the NHL, but one who shouldn’t have many issues being effective. For this tourney, though, look for him to get a boatload of minutes with no Anton Frondell or Viggo Bjorck to contend with.

Malte Gustafsson, LHD, Sweden (New York Islanders)

Gustafsson was one of the most fascinating defenders down the stretch last season. Gustafsson is a 6-foot-4 defender who played well in the SHL, despite having little to show for it on the scoresheet. His skating is good for his size, allowing him to play a very mobile game. Gustafsson rarely struggles to get the puck out of his zone. I also feel like he showed a bit more flash with the puck near the end of the year than we all first thought, especially at the U-18s. Match that with the fact that he’s one of the most competitive defenders you’ll find, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him wiggle his way into a third-pair role to start the NHL season. If not, Gustafsson will likely play a top-pairing role for Sweden at the main event. For now, he’ll be one of the top blueliners in Windsor.

Milton Gästrin, C, Sweden (St. Louis Blues)

Gästrin will be interesting to watch as a proven leader with the Swedish squad. He was outstanding during the 2025 U-18s, helping his team win silver after a 10-point performance. He’s coming off his first year of pro hockey, where he put up a solid 10 goals and 24 points in 39 games in the second-tier Swedish league. I like his hockey sense and general two-way reliability. This will be Gästrin’s first major hockey action after his inclusion in the Jordan Kyrou trade back in June, so he’ll be looking to make a big impression on the Blues’ scouting department.

Ethan Wyttenbach, LW, USA (Calgary Flames)

Wyttenbach wasn’t invited to USA’s World Junior camp last year, and he probably should have. It always felt like he was a long shot given he had no previous ties to USA Hockey in international play. But ultimately, the 2025 fifth-rounder finished first in NCAA scoring with 59 points, which is utterly incredible for a player taken as late as he was just a few months prior. The Roslyn, N.Y., native is an undersized forward but is always moving, carving his way through the ice to get into scoring situations. He has never been a high-end producer at any level – he was more productive as a freshman NCAA forward than he has been at any other point. We’ll see if Wyttenbach can sustain that in college, but I fully expect him to play a big role regardless for the Americans both in Windsor and again in the winter.

L.J. Mooney, RW, USA (Montreal Canadiens)

As one of the smallest players in the 2025 draft class at 5-foot-8, Mooney has had to work even harder to make sure he gets noticed. Between his playmaking and skating on display, Mooney was one of USA’s top forwards every time he hit the ice at the 2026 World Juniors. I love how he exploits open ice and he’s got quick hands to make both great passes and great shots. One question I had heading into 2025-26 was whether the smaller forward could withstand the physical pressures of playing against college kids. In the end, he had 30 points in 34 games while also playing some of the most physical hockey I’ve ever seen from him. I’ve had a soft spot for Mooney and his natural skill for a few years now, and I’m still a believer. I think he’ll be one of the competitive smaller forwards who makes it work, and that includes having a shining role (again) at the WJSS.

Wyatt Cullen, LW, USA (Nashville Predators)

Cullen was the USNTDP’s top player last season and should be counted on heavily in both Windsor and Alberta. His high-end hockey sense and the ability to get any line moving make him so dangerous. His puck-handling – both as a shooter and a passer – is remarkable. Cullen is a high-end skater who seemingly found a whole other gear once he got up to speed this season. Cullen is a constant scoring threat because he’s always scanning lanes for passes, but he has the quick footwork and lateral mobility to blow by most opponents and put himself into dangerous areas.

Chase Reid, RHD, USA (Seattle Kraken)

Many expected Reid to be the first defender off the board, but he ultimately fell a few spots to Seattle. He was excellent at the World Juniors, taking over the No. 1 D gig after Cole Hutson went down with an injury. Reid checks all the boxes you’d want in a potential No. 1 D-man. At 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, that’s a good frame to work with. He’s also a right-shot defender – you’ve probably heard teams value that. He’s also an outstanding skater – maybe the best of any top defender in the class. He has a remarkable shot, and he seems to think the game at such an advanced level. Reid rarely makes a bad pass, and he’s so elusive when he’s skating around with the puck at speed. So much of his defense is making sure he contains the puck as much as possible, giving opponents so little to work with. USA’s roster doesn’t have a ton of star power, but Reid will be the closest to achieving that this year.

Other Notables: Braeden Cootes, C, Canada (Vancouver Canucks); Marcus Nordmark, RW, Sweden (Anaheim Ducks); Henry Brzustewicz, RHD, USA (Los Angeles Kings); J.P. Hurlbert, RW, USA (Detroit Red Wings); Will Horcoff, RW, USA (Pittsburgh Penguins)

RESENTED BY THE DAILY FACEOFF NEWSLETTER

Blue Jackets sign Cole Sillinger to three-year contract

Kyle Morton — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 17:21:14 GMT

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed one of their two notable remaining restricted free agents, as according to multiple reports, the club has agreed to terms on a three-year contract with forward Cole Sillinger.

According to Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, Sillinger’s new contract will carry a salary cap hit of $4.625 million.

Columbus and Cole Sillinger avoid arbitration with a settlement 3 X $4.625 M
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 24, 2026

Sillinger, who was chosen with the No. 12 overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NHL Draft, has been remarkably consistent in terms of his raw offensive production, putting up 32, 33 and 33 points in each of the past three seasons.

The 2025-26 campaign was his healthiest, as he appeared in 81 games while scoring 8 goals and handing out 25 assists, while the year prior in 2024-25 was his most productive on a per-game basis, seeing him post the same 33 points in just 66 appearances.

For his entire NHL career, the 23-year-old has 51 goals, 89 assists and 140 points in 367 career appearances.

The Sillinger signing leaves general manager Don Waddell with approximately $14.495 million in space under the upper limit of the salary cap, according to PuckPedia.

Waddell still has to sign restricted free agent center Adam Fantilli to a new contract. Fantilli, who was chosen third overall in the 2023 NHL Draft behind Connor Bedard (five years at $15 million per year with the Chicago Blackhawks) and Leo Carlsson (five years at $18 per million with the Anaheim Ducks via an offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers), has been less impactful than his two draft peers, but could still take up nearly all of that cap space after Carlsson and Bedard set the market.

The Blue Jackets are coming off of their sixth consecutive year without appearing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which is tied with Chicago for the third-longest drought in the league behind Detroit and San Jose.

Former NHLer Sergei Zubov hired by Blues as advisor to hockey operations

Ryan Cuneo — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 17:20:20 GMT

The St. Louis Blues are bringing a Hall of Famer into their front office.

On Friday, the Blues announced that they are hiring former NHL defenseman Sergei Zubov as an advisor to hockey operations.

Sergei Zubov has been hired as an Advisor to Hockey Operations. #stlblues https://t.co/KyvgLV2Xtz
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) July 24, 2026

Zubov, 56, previously worked with St. Louis as a team consultant in the 2012-13 season. His other NHL front office experience came in the 2019-20 season, when he served as a senior advisor for the Dallas Stars.

Outside of his brief stints working in the NHL, Zubov has spent most of his post-playing days as a coach in the KHL. Last season, he was an assistant coach for the KHL’s Traktor Chelyabinsk.

Zubov has been a head coach in the KHL for three different franchises. He took over as the head coach of SKA St. Petersburg for part of the 2015-16 season, after the departure of previous head coach Andrei Nazarov. He was then hired as the bench boss for HK Sochi for the 2017-18 season, where he would remain until he was fired in October of 2019. He was briefly the head coach for Dinamo Riga at the start of the 2021-22 season, but resigned in October of 2021. Zubov returned to HK Sochi as their head coach in 2024-25, but was dismissed following the season.

As a player, Zubov has a successful 16-year career split between the New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Stars. After getting drafted by New York in the fifth round of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft, he broke out as a high-end defenseman in his second NHL season of 1993-94, when he had 89 points in 78 games, followed by 19 points in 22 playoff games en route to the Rangers winning the Stanley Cup.

After a one-year stay with the Penguins in 1995-96, Zubov spent the rest of his career in Dallas, winning his second Stanley Cup in 1999.

He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2019.

Cootes, Carels among players named to Canada’s 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase roster

Tyler Kuehl — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 17:11:07 GMT

The troop of talent looking to represent their country at one of hockey’s marquee events has been announced.

On Friday, Hockey Canada released its roster for the 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase, set to take place in Windsor, Ont. The event is set to begin on Sunday.

Canada's World Junior Summer Showcase roster is out. #WJSS #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/iCU0pmhzSb
— Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) July 24, 2026

Among the big names on the roster, there are a few who look to play for their country at the IIHF World Junior Championship once again. Vancouver Canucks prospect Braeden Cootes and Calgary Flames draft pick Cole Reschny are a couple of the notable “veterans” set to play at the WJSS. Reschny scored four goals and five points in last year’s World Juniors in Minnesota, while Cootes found the back of the net twice.

Fellow Flames prospect Carson Carels is expected to lead the blue line, along with San Jose Sharks draft pick Keaton Verhoeff and Nashville Predators prospect Cameron Reid. They were all part of the group that helped Canada reach the semifinals last January, the first time in three years, only to lose to Czechia. Yet, the team bounced back to win the bronze medal, giving the country its first podium finish since its back-to-back gold medals in 2022 and 2023.

The WJSS is more or less a dress rehearsal for Canada, as most of the players competing over the next week are expected to be on the team that heads to Edmonton in December.

The 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase is set to begin on July 26, though Canada isn’t in action until they take on Sweden on July 29. The Canadians will also face Finland on July 30 before facing the United States to cap off the event on Aug. 1. All games will take place at DFCU Center, home of the Ontario Hockey League’s Windsor Spitfires.

2027 NHL trade deadline set for March 1

Tyler Kuehl — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 16:31:19 GMT

We know when one of the more chaotic days of the hockey calendar is going to take place.

According to Michael Russo of The Athletic, the 2026-27 NHL Trade Deadline is set to fall on Monday, March 1, 2027.

2027 NHL trade deadline has been set for March 1
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) July 24, 2026

It’s not necessarily breaking news, as, per the collective bargaining agreement, the trade deadline is supposed to come 40 days prior to the end of the regular season. The only time that rule isn’t followed is if the 40-day mark falls on a weekend. This past season, the league moved the deadline to 34 days prior to the end of the 2025-26 regular season to avoid having deadline day fall on a weekend, also giving teams more time to get back into the swing of things following the Olympic break.

Outside of the opening of free agency, the trade deadline is unquestionably the biggest day for the NHL in terms of off-ice drama. It is general managers’ last day to go out and add talent to their rosters for the final stretch of the year, as some seek better players to improve their chances of either making the Stanley Cup Playoffs or making a deep run in the postseason. On the flip side, other GMs are eyeing the future and will try to offload aging players and big contracts to acquire younger prospects or draft picks as part of retooling and rebuilding efforts.

On deadline day this past year, there were 21 total trades made across the NHL. While there were several notable trades made leading up to March 6, including Jason Dickinson being dealt from the Chicago Blackhawks to the Edmonton Oilers, and the Columbus Blue Jackets receiving Conor Garland from the Vancouver Canucks, many big-time deals were made up to the final bell. Nazem Kadri was traded back to the Colorado Avalanche from the Calgary Flames, and Scott Laughton was moved by the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Los Angeles Kings.

Islanders sign Alex Jefferies to one-year contract

Kyle Morton — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 16:07:35 GMT

Another arbitration hearing was avoided for an eligible restricted free agent, as the New York Islanders signed Alex Jefferies to a one-year, two-way contract on Friday morning.

The contract will guarantee Jefferies a minimum total compensation of $130,000 for the 2026-27 season with a salary of $100,000 at the AHL level and $850,000 for any time spent on the NHL roster.

The Islanders and Alex Jefferies avoid arbitration

NHL: $850K
AHL: $100K
Guarantee: $130K
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 24, 2026

A fourth-round pick by the Islanders with the No. 121 overall selection in the 2020 NHL Draft, Jefferies is a 24-year-old Massachusetts native who has spent the past two full seasons as a member of the Islanders’ AHL affiliate, which is moving from Bridgeport to Hamilton.

After turning pro following a successful NCAA career at Merrimack College, Jefferies has 65 points in 131 career games at the AHL level. This past season, he racked up 29 points on 9 goals and 20 assists in 60 regular season games before being held scoreless in two Calder Cup Playoff appearances.

According to PuckPedia, by avoiding this arbitration proceeding, the Islanders opened up another buyout window for themselves which they are eligible to use on a player with a salary cap hit of at least $4 million who was on the team’s roster at the trade deadline in March.

Now with another year of experience under his belt, young general manager Mathieu Darche is looking to push his team into the next tier of the Metropolitan Division.

Powered by a breakout rookie season from Matthew Schaefer and excellent goaltending from Ilya Sorokin, the Islanders spent most of the 2025-26 season in possession of a playoff spot before flaws throughout the roster caught up to them as the season wore on.

New York has plenty of continuity on the roster from last year’s group, with the free agent signing of Mattias Maccelli standing as the major addition Darche made this summer to fortify the roster.

How Morrissey’s prairie roots made Winnipeg easy to commit to

Ben Steiner — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

The Winnipeg Jets didn’t have the season they dreamed of in 2025-26, but the team knows it can rely on a veteran presence from Josh Morrissey on the blueline, with the 2013 pick signed through the 2027-28 season as part of an eight-year, $50 million deal signed in 2019.

On a recent episode of FlamesNation’s FN Barn Burner, Morrissey explained why he made such a long-term commitment to the city and how growing up in Calgary influences his love for hockey in Canada’s flatlands.

Ryan Pinder: Winnipeg is a market that we hear a lot about being not sexy, which is fair. I mean, there are places like Miami, Los Angeles, New York, but there seems to be this stigma about it. You’re a Western Canadian; you went there. What did you know about Winnipeg before you got there, and what do you know now that you know made you commit to a maximum-term deal to stay there? Like, you must really enjoy it because it’s a place you’ve spent a lot of time.

Josh Morrissey: For me, as you mentioned, being a Western Canadian guy, playing a lot of junior hockey in Saskatchewan. I have roots in Alberta and Saskatchewan, so that’s just what I’m used to in a lot of ways.

Getting drafted to Winnipeg really wasn’t much of a change. I’d say now, looking back at my time there, just people are great, the fans are so passionate. I’ve made many friends outside of the game in Winnipeg, and just enjoyed being a part of the kind of the fabric of the community. I think it’s cool to be part of a place where you know a win or a loss can really affect the city’s mood the next day. Obviously, you hope that it’s more wins than losses, but you know it really does matter to people.

That was what I experienced growing up here in Calgary as a Flames fan. It’s cool when you know the whole city comes together in the playoffs, and you know it just means more and so much to everybody, and I think that’s special.

I’ve never really known anything else since I’ve always played my hockey in Western Canada, and the biggest thing, though, really was just having a chance to play, be a part of a good team, have a chance to win, and have a chance to, you know, go after my career and develop my career. I guess I have that opportunity in front of me, and that opportunity was always given to me there, which I’m extremely grateful for. I think we’ve had very good teams through the years and have had chances to win. So that’s all I can really ask for.

You can catch Pinder’s full interview with Morrissey here…

2026-27 NHL Prospect Pool Breakdown: Minnesota Wild’s Top 10

Steven Ellis — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Welcome back.

It’s time for Daily Faceoff’s third annual NHL Prospect Pool Breakdown, looking at the best all 32 teams have to offer. We’re highlighting the top 10 prospects for every franchise, their biggest strengths and weaknesses, and so much more.

Here are the criteria for being labeled a prospect: players generally have to have played in 50 or fewer NHL games or spent more time outside of the NHL than in it last year. Players over 23 years old are not included. Goaltenders are a bit more subjective, but they must be 25 or under and have played fewer than 20 games in the past season or fewer than 30 games over their career.

Today, we’re breaking down the Minnesota Wild.

The whole point of building a competitive prospect pool is to convert them into competitive NHL players. And the Wild may have done that better than any team in the league last year.

The team’s top five prospects from a year ago have all gone on to shed the prospect label. Jesper Wallstedt could end up becoming the team’s goalie of the future after bouncing back in a huge way last season. Danila Yurov is expected to start the season as Minnesota’s No. 1 center in 2026-27, too (whether that’s a good thing is up to you). Zeev Buium and Liam Öhgren were used to acquire Quinn Hughes from Vancouver early in the season, while David Jiříček was sent off to Philly. So while the five players had varying levels of success last year, all made an impact in one way or another.

But understandably, that means Minnesota’s pipeline is much closer to the bottom than the top. And that’s okay. You’ll notice that all three of the team’s draft picks from this season made this list. I think all three can become NHL players. This is not a deep pipeline by any means, and the high end is definitely leaving a lot to be desired. But you can’t really blame the scouting department for that given the success they’ve had the past few seasons.

Biggest Strengths

The Wild actually have some decent depth forwards with some offensive pedigree to their credit. The most skilled might be Adam Benák, who, despite being undersized, is quite competitive and has been so productive at every level. Charlie Stramel is an absolute physical monster who should give opponents fits in a bottom-line role one day. Adam Andersson is a perfect fourth-line center, and Riley Heidt and Ryder Ritchie are both former WHL stars who might pan out more in hard-working bottom-six roles at some point. Sure, the Wild don’t have any high-end forwards, but you still need capable talent deeper down, too.

Biggest Weakness

I’d be truly shocked if any of the forwards turn into top six players or any of the defenders outgrow bottom-pairing roles. Obviously, players can get promoted up the lineup when injuries arise. But it feels like most of the players they have here are going to be support options at best. And again, that’s to be expected when you’ve converted so many prospects into full-time NHLers just a year prior. I just don’t think there’s a ton of trade value left in the system here.

Fast Facts:

NHL GM: Bill Guerin
Dir. Amateur Scouting: N/A
Dir. of Player Development: Brad Bombardir
AHL Affiliate: Iowa Wild
ECHL Affiliate: Jacksonville Icemen
Recent NHL Graduates: Zeev Buium, LHD; Danila Yurov, C; Jesper Wallstedt, G; Liam Öhgren, LW; David Jiříček, RHD

TOP 10 PROSPECTS

Charlie Stramel (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)

1. Charlie Stramel, C, 21 (Iowa Wild, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 21st overall, first round in 2023

Many Wild fans were concerned about the Stramel selection at No. 21 in 2023, and I get it – I was too. For someone who physically dominated his age group for a few years, he struggled to keep up in the NCAA and was ultimately pushed down Wisconsin’s depth chart. The move to Michigan State in 2024 was huge for his development, and he capped off his college career with an impressive 19 goals and 44 points in 37 games – just three points shy of his combined production from the three years prior. Stramel is a huge 6-foot-3, 216-pound forward who takes space away quickly and effectively. He’s quite athletic, too, allowing him to continuously get in the way, no matter the stage of the game. With the puck, there’s a lot to be desired for someone his age, though. I still think he has done enough to convince scouts he’ll be an NHLer, but it’ll most likely be in a fourth-line role.

2. David Spacek, RHD, 23 (Iowa Wild, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 153rd overall, fifth round in 2022

This feels like a true make-or-break-it season for Špaček. Set for his fourth year of North American pro hockey, Špaček is coming off his best season to date with 36 points in the AHL to go along with his first NHL game action. Špaček also made his Olympic debut, primarily playing a depth role with Czechia. At six-foot, Špaček lacks ideal size for a defenseman, but he hits hard and plays harder. I think he could end up becoming a decent third-pairing option at best, but it feels like he’s destined to play double-digit NHL games this coming season. If not, I wonder if Špaček becomes trade bait thanks to his hockey sense and solid skating.

3. Adam Benák, C, 19 (Western Michigan University, NCAA)

Acquired: Drafted 102nd overall, fourth round in 2025

Adam Benak (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)

Benák is a personal favorite of mine because of just how good he is at distributing the puck. Given he’s 5-foot-8, the size concerns are founded, for sure. He can struggle physically, even if he has improved his raw strength the past few years. But I feel like his hockey sense will be enough to take him to the next level, and he’s as good of a playmaker as you’ll find in his age group. Benák had 49 assists and 77 points in his one-and-done year with the Brantford Bulldogs and is set to take his talents to the college ranks, where he’ll have plenty of opportunity to bulk up. I kind of wish he’d stay in the OHL for one more year just to build in a bit more consistency, though. If you count his time with HC Plzeň’s junior programs, WMU will be Benák’s sixth club team in four years, and that doesn’t include the multitude of international games at various levels in that span.

4. Adam Andersson, C, 18 (Leksands IF, Sweden U-20)

Acquired: Drafted third round, 83rd overall in 2026

Andersson really grew on me during the U-18s. Between killing penalties and some overall solid two-way play, Andersson looked on his game at that event. He’s a tough dude who plays a refined two-way game with his big 6-foot-4 frame. Scouts like him – some see him as a potential second-rounder thanks to his no-nonsense, yet high-reliability playstyle. His numbers with the Swedish U-18 team were excellent last year, too. While this might be higher than others would put AA, I like him here simply because he’s extremely projectable in a bottom-line role. Anything more than that is free money.

5. Riley Heidt, C/LW, 21 (Iowa Wild, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 64th overall, second round in 2023

For a highly productive forward throughout his junior career, it was difficult watching Heidt finish with just eight goals and 25 points this past year in the AHL. Iowa wasn’t a good team by any means, but it felt like he just lacked the confidence with the puck that we were used to seeing from him. I’d say the concerns about his off-puck involvement and defensive zone coverage from his junior days remain issues. There’s still some quality upside: Heidt isn’t afraid to physically challenge much stronger opponents, and he’s a wizard with the puck. Heidt is a decent skater, even if he won’t blow past you with breakneck speed. I think there’s tons of skill here, but the execution at the pro level still needs some work.

6. Ryder Ritchie, RW, 19 (Boston University, NCAA)

Acquired: Drafted 45th overall, second round in 2024

Ryder Ritchie (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)

The first time I saw Ritchie, he was 5-foot-10 and scrawny. Now, at 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, it feels like he has started to really figure out how to use his frame to his advantage. His freshman offensive output was nothing to get excited about, but it felt like Ritchie really started to come into his own down the stretch on a bad Boston University squad. He’s a smart player who does an excellent job of getting himself into scoring lanes while also playing a detail-oriented game away from the puck. I think there are definitely some consistency concerns he needs to get around, but the former WHL star is a hard worker who could find a role for himself in a bottom-six situation.

7. Hunter Haight, C/RW, 22 (Iowa Wild, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 47th overall, second round in 2022

Haight missed some AHL time while up with the big club, which prevented him from reaching the 40-point threshold with Iowa. He’s a creative player who is always looking to exploit open space, even if he’s not a high-end skater yet. As a 5-foot-11 center, the odds are definitely against him, and it feels like he doesn’t have the offensive acumen to make a case for full-time NHL duty. Fortunately, he’s a hard worker, and one I definitely feel plays a strong enough 200-foot game to get a more extended look in the NHL this coming season. If anything, I could see him emerging as a fourth-line energy guy.

8. Kayden Lemire, RW, 18 (Prince George Cougars, WHL)

Acquired: Drafted fourth round, 112th overall in 2026

Lemire is a big, 6-foot-4 forward whom scouts like for his hard work. His numbers this year were nothing to get excited about, but he routinely won most of his battles and consistently outworked opponents at both ends of the ice. When he doesn’t have the puck, he makes it his mission to prevent you from getting it under any means necessary. I’m not sure if he’ll ever develop NHL-level offense, but I think he’s still solid enough as a checking-line guy. Lemire is definitely more of a long-term project, but if he can improve his speed, he’ll be tough to ignore.

9. Filip Růžička, G, 18 (Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL)

Acquired: Drafted fifth round, 137th overall in 2026

Růžička was one of the first 2026 NHL Draft picks to sign an ELC this year. It’s hard not to see the allure of a 6-foot-8 goaltender, especially someone who proved he could absolutely steal some games. He’s extremely competitive and does a good job of keeping himself square to shooters. You won’t find many shots trickling in slowly past the Czech keeper – he seals holes as well as anyone. But the one thing that concerns me is that he can be a bit too slow, both in his skating and in his general movement. Those are pretty typical issues for bigger goalies, though. Fortunately, the Wild’s coaching staff can probably figure that out. The raw potential is definitely here – but I always wonder if there’s such a thing as being too big (there isn’t a single 6-foot-8 goalie in the NHL). I hope not, though; Růžička is a beast.

10. Aron Kiviharju, LHD, 20 (HIFK, Liiga)

Acquired: Drafted 122nd overall, fourth round in 2024

Aron Kiviharju (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)

Kiviharju has been in the hockey consciousness for about eight years now, so it’s crazy to think his junior career is finally over and done with. The 20-year-old blueliner was once viewed as one of the top young defenders in the sport, but injuries – and a lack of physical growth – really brought him down during his 2024 NHL Draft year. Kiviharju has had a pair of solid pro seasons with HIFK, and I thought he was solid at the World Juniors for Finland. Few defensemen can break out like Kiviharju can – it’s like watching a less refined Hutson brother. We’ll see if there’s enough here for Kiviharju to crack the NHL, but I’m a heavy believer in his game still and hope he makes it over to North America once his Finnish league contract concludes next spring.

Other Prospects: Rieger Lorenz, LW (22), Rasmus Kumpulainen, C (20), Caedan Bankier, C (23), Lirim Amidovski, RW (19), Carter Klippenstein, C (19), James Clark, LW (21), Nate Benoit, LHD (23), Aaron Pionk, LHD (23), Sebastian Soini, RHD (20), Justin Kipkie, LHD (20), Theodor Hallquisth, RHD (19), Stevie Leskovar, LHD (21), Jack Peart, LHD (23), Viking Gustafsson Nyberg, LHD (LHD), Chase Wutzke, G (19), Riley Mercer, G (22)

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The five biggest unresolved storylines of the 2026 NHL offseason

Matt Larkin — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 13:00:00 GMT

It’s debatable when exactly NHL GMs are safe to tape those “Gone Fishing” signs to their doors, but we’re close to that point. Give or take 95 percent of the offseason roster turnover happens before July is up. Training camps begin in September. That means August qualifies as the closest the NHL has to a true dead season.

And yet: there’s a healthy amount of drama lingering out there, even after Jason Robertson and the Dallas Stars came to a tense one-year agreement and after Patrick Kane rejoined the Chicago Blackhawks for a two-year, swan-song deal.

Let’s run down the top NHL storylines still unresolved as we near the end of July.

1. Dylan Larkin’s trade request

The hammer dropped in June when Detroit Red Wings captain Larkin, fed up after 10 consecutive playoff misses, asked for a ticket out of Hockeytown, requesting he be traded to the Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights or Florida Panthers. Then-Wings GM Steve Yzerman publicly dug his heels in, insisting Larkin had five years left on his deal and that Detroit was under no obligation to force a trade if it didn’t feel right. But now Yzerman is out as GM, having stepped down from the post last week. Given Larkin had a frosty relationship with Yzerman, does his departure increase the odds of Larkin staying? He’s a Michigan native, don’t forget. Then again, given the fan base’s understandably charged reaction to him asking out, there may be no turning back. Still, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to see it happening before training camp. For one, Detroit, uh, needs a GM in place to make the trade. Secondly: Larkin’s three-team list, which expanded to four with the Stars, consists of four teams who are seriously lacking in cap space at the moment, meaning they’d have to move some important players out to make a deal work. The Wild still seem like the frontrunner.

2. Connor Hellebuyck’s future in Winnipeg

Unlike Larkin, Hellebuyck did not formally request a trade from the Jets. But he did express restlessness over his team’s future after they tumbled from Presidents’ Trophy winner in 2024-25 to out of the playoffs in 2025-26, and GM Kevin Cheveldayoff said he was listening to offers for his future Hall of Fame goaltender during NHL Draft Week. The Jets don’t have to move Hellebuyck – they are still trying to compete in the present, and he has five seasons remaining on his deal – but its’ telling that they didn’t include him on any of their promotional material for the schedule release last week.

3. Cutter Gauthier’s contract

The Leo Carlsson offer sheet was a double dagger for the Anaheim Ducks. For one, it forced them to match and pay their franchise center $18 million, quite a bit more than he’s currently worth despite breaking out as a 21-year-old this past season. But it also made things awkward with fellow RFA Cutter Gauthier. He’s isn’t worth $18 million either but, having topped 40 goals as a sophomore and emerged as one of the NHL’s elite scoring-chance generators, he’s been as good as Carlsson if not better. We can make the case Carlsson deserves more given he’s a center, but Gauthier absolutely has to land in a similar range on his next AAV. That’s…a problem given the Ducks are down to $9.073 million in cap space. Think GM Pat Verbeek regrets giving A.J. Greer $4.25 million a year? At least Gauthier isn’t offer-sheet eligible, but yikes.

4. Cale Makar’s, Quinn Hughes’ and Nikita Kucherov’s extensions

Carlsson will be the NHL’s highest-paid player for 2026-27, but he might not be when three superstars’ extensions kick in beginning in 2027-28. Makar and Hughes sit third and sixth, respectively, all-time in points per game among defensemen. Both became eligible to ink their next deals July 1. Hughes feels likelier to get something done sooner. He’s an expressed an openness to a deal, Wild owner Craig Leipold and coach John Hynes have voiced confidence that it will get done, and The Athletic’s Michael Russo predicts a three-year extension that would line Hughes up for free agency at the same time as brother Jack in 2030.

As for Makar? He and the Avs have indicated he’s a franchise lifer, but contract talks were expected to drag well into the summer. In a rising-cap world, Hughes’ next AAV should leapfrog teammate Kirill Kaprizov’s $17 million, while Makar could become hockey’s first $20-million player.

The lack of income tax in Florida could keep Kucherov’s cap below what his true market value is, assuming he re-signs. That’s the good news. The bad: over the course of his current deal, which commenced in 2019-20, he won a second Hart Trophy, a second and third Art Ross Trophy and two Stanley Cups and led the playoffs in scoring on both of those title runs. Kucherov, one of the century’s greatest pure scorers, is entitled to whatever he wants, despite the fact he’s been quite a playoff disappointment the past few seasons. It’s a matter of whether he prioritizes a monster payday or trying to keep winning in Tampa.

5. Other offer sheet candidates

Typically, offer sheets involve mid-range players whom the new team values higher than the old team, perceiving additional upside often because the player hasn’t been given a large enough role on the original team – and that makes the player likely to sign the offer sheet. Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg leaving the Edmonton Oilers for the St. Louis Blues were quintessential examples. But the Carlsson offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers changed everything. They were willing to massively overpay and surrender four first-round picks to get him. Have they set a new precedent, and will other high-end RFAs be targeted? The Columbus Blue Jackets would be wise to lock up top center Adam Fantilli soon. Same goes for the Red Wings with defenseman Simon Edvinsson.

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Hurricanes sign Ronan Seeley to one-year contract

Kyle Morton — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 20:36:46 GMT

The Carolina Hurricanes announced on Thursday that they have alleviated the need for their lone scheduled arbitration hearing by agreeing to terms on a one-year, two-way contract with defenseman Ronan Seeley.

The contract will pay Seeley $100,000 at the AHL level and $850,000 at the NHL level with a guaranteed minimum salary for the 2026-27 campaign of $160,000.

The #Canes have re-signed defenseman Ronan Seeley to a one-year, two-way contract.

Details » https://t.co/GBVCS1Izrh pic.twitter.com/a23CErvDip
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) July 23, 2026

Seeley, who the Hurricanes chose with the No. 208 overall pick in the seventh round of the 2020 NHL Draft.

The left-handed blueliner made his NHL debut this past season, going without a point in his loan appearance in the Carolina lineup. At the AHL level with the Hurricanes’ affiliate Chicago Wolves, Seeley was part of an impressive blue line that powered the Wolves all the way to the Calder Cup Final where they fell short against the Toronto Marlies.

Seeley appeared in 69 regular season games as an alternate captain for Chicago, scoring 11 goals and dishing out 12 assists for 23 points before chipping in a pair of points in 21 contests on the playoff run.

The Hurricanes have been quite this summer after finally getting over the hump and capturing their second Stanley Cup championship in franchise history in relatively dominant fashion thanks to a 16-3 run through the postseason.

Goalie Frederik Andersen is gone to the Edmonton Oilers, while depth defenseman Mike Reilly remains unsigned. Emerging defenseman Alexander Nikishin is a restricted free agent who is not eligible for an offer sheet. Carolina could still re-sign him, but his name has been floated throughout the off-season as a possible trade candidate to help the Canes land a bigger fish.

Carolina will raise its Stanley Cup banner on Opening Night of the 2026-27 season against the Florida Panthers, who won the two Cups immediately prior to the Hurricanes’ victory last season.

‘I’m still proving to myself that I’m capable’: Allen on potential starting role with Devils

Tyler Kuehl — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 20:00:00 GMT

One of the more seasoned veterans between the pipes might be stepping into a key role next season.

With Jacob Markstrom being traded to the Florida Panthers, the door swung open for goaltender Jake Allen to be the starting goaltender for the New Jersey Devils. Even at age 35, Allen has proven to be a solid netminder throughout his career, dating back to his time with the St. Louis Blues several years ago. On a retooling team in the Garden State, he might be the calming, experienced presence the team needs to get through this transition period.

On this week’s edition of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Allen joined Tyler Yaremchuk and former teammate Carter Hutton to discuss the possibility of him being the starting netminder for the Devils next season.

Jake Allen: It’s an interesting business, and you know that. Getting this opportunity at my age at this point in my career, it’s really exciting. Honestly, it really is. I feel like my game’s in a really good spot. I feel like ever since I came to the Devils, even since the trade from Montreal that last quarter of the year, I feel like I’ve played well with a Devil uniform on, and there’s a sense of comfort, there’s a sense of pride and still prove to myself that I’m capable of doing it at this point in my career. So, I think that’s the biggest thing.

I think Daws is a really good goalie, too. He really is. He was put in some situations early in his career that probably weren’t fair to him a little bit. I think he got off to a start that way. He’s so talented. He’s big, he can move. He’s a good kid and he’s willing to learn. That’s the biggest thing. He’s willing to adapt and willing to learn, and I think I can really help him out with that a lot. So, I’m looking forward to this opportunity, this challenge. Obviously, last year didn’t go the way we wanted. So, looking forward to September even more.

You can watch the full segment and entire episode here…

Nemec, Eklund, and other breakout candidates joining new teams in 2026-27

Mike Gould — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 18:47:37 GMT

It’s been a summer of change across the National Hockey League.

With the salary cap rising at a level never seen before, as well as the free agent pool as shallow as it’s ever been, the NHL’s 32 franchises have turned to the trade market as the primary means of roster reconstruction this offseason. We’ve seen players previously considered untouchable end up changing teams, as well as a remarkable volume of draft picks and prospects switching sides.

If you’re a fan of the business side of the game, it’s been a fascinating offseason in many different ways. With relatively few teams set on bottoming out, there’s a huge middle class of teams pushing to make noise by any means possible — and a fair number of them have made big bets on acquiring players whom they think will break out in new environments.

Here are five of the top breakout candidates slated to debut with their new teams in the 2026-27 NHL season.

Mavrik Bourque

New team: Nashville Predators
Previous team: Dallas Stars
2025-26 stats: 82 GP, 20 G, 41 P, +6

The Predators made a sizable financial commitment to Bourque after acquiring him from the Stars on Canada Day, handing him a new six-year contract worth $5.5 million per season. Even in the NHL’s ever-changing financial landscape, it’s still a lot of money for a player with 66 points in 156 career games to date. Nevertheless, it’s a calculated bet on a player who looked to be a victim of the numbers game in Dallas.

New Preds general manager Chris MacFarland seems to have his sights set on returning his team to contention, and his moves this summer reflect that. Ross Colton, Jack Drury, Nils Höglander, and Alex Kerfoot should all provide value in secondary roles, but Bourque has the talent to do a lot more. That opportunity likely never would’ve arrived for him in Dallas, where he was stuck behind many more established players on their depth chart, getting some first-line work with little power-play time, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see Bourque lock down a plum role in Nashville.

As it stands, the Predators have one of the oldest top-six forward groups in the league, including 36-year-old Steven Stamkos and 35-year-olds Ryan O’Reilly and Jonathan Marchessault. Even Filip Forsberg will be 32 on opening night. At 24, Bourque is much closer in age to the likes of Luke Evangelista, Matthew Wood, and Brady Martin, all of whom have shown promise as young pros. Bourque can be a model for Nashville’s younger players to follow as someone who has worked his way up from lower levels and waited patiently for the right opportunity to come along. It took just two years for him to go from leading the AHL in scoring to becoming a 20-goal man in the NHL; now, Bourque’s next step is to lock down a spot on Nashville’s top line.

William Eklund

New team: Ottawa Senators
Previous team: San Jose Sharks
2025-26 stats: 78 GP, 15 G, 53 P, -31

After the Senators traded Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers in June, they had a glaring hole to fill on the wing — and everyone knew it. Fortunately, they also had a larger stockpile of trade assets to play with, and GM Steve Staios put them to good use, flipping the No. 9 pick in the 2026 draft to San Jose in exchange for a package headlined by Eklund.

The Sharks likely only made the deal because they knew they’d be able to replace Eklund with Ivar Stenberg, the consensus No. 2 pick. They also desperately needed to add another top defensive prospect to their system, which they succeeded in doing when Keaton Verhoeff fell to them at No. 9. But this is a trade that looks like it’ll work out for both teams, with Eklund virtually guaranteed to start his Senators tenure in Tkachuk’s old spot next to Tim Stützle, one of the league’s top young centers.

Over the past two seasons, Eklund has consistently been one of the better play-drivers on a pitifully weak Sharks squad, producing at a solid clip while helping the team out-chance its opponents during his shifts. According to Natural Stat Trick, Eklund was one of the only Sharks players to post high-danger chance and shot attempt differentials north of 50 percent at 5-on-5 across the 2024-25 and 2025-26 campaigns. It remains to be seen how Eklund’s game will translate in Ottawa, especially as he looks to fill a void left by one of the better power forwards in the NHL (something Eklund definitely isn’t), but on paper, he seems to have what it takes to form a terrific partnership with Stützle.

Kaedan Korczak

New team: Pittsburgh Penguins
Previous team: Vegas Golden Knights
2025-26 stats: 78 GP, 3 G, 16 P, +6

Penguins GM Kyle Dubas opted to substantially remodel his defensive group in late June and early July, allowing Ryan Shea, Parker Wotherspoon, and Connor Clifton to leave town while bringing in Trevor van Riemsdyk, Declan Carlile, and Korczak, the latter of whom came from Vegas in a one-for-one deal for Wotherspoon. Amidst all the other trades that took place in the days leading up to and following July 1, the Korczak deal certainly flew under the radar. But it was a savvy move for a Penguins team still trying to remain competitive during Sidney Crosby’s twilight years while also preparing for the difficult aftermath of his inevitable retirement.

The Penguins made the playoffs in 2026 on the backs of multiple players having career years. Wotherspoon is certainly included in that category, and he’ll be a great fit in Vegas, where every dollar counts; the Golden Knights are set to pay him just $500,000 in 2026-27. But Korczak is the much better long-term piece, and he’s signed at a very reasonable $3.25 million cap for four more seasons. While the 25-year-old rearguard never had much of a shot at getting off of Vegas’s bottom pairing, he should be able to play significant minutes in Pittsburgh, especially once Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang move on.

Korczak may never become a truly productive NHL defender, but he’s got a good frame (6’3″, 206 pounds), shoots right, and is incredibly adept at denying opponents entry into his zone. During the 2025-26 regular season, no Golden Knights defender had better high-danger chance prevention rates than Korczak, and his underlying numbers remained generally strong into the playoffs. Korczak may start his Penguins tenure in a similar spot to the one he occupied in Vegas, but it might not take long for him to move up the lineup — particularly if Letang continues to decline.

Connor McMichael

New team: St. Louis Blues
Previous team: Washington Capitals
2025-26 stats: 78 GP, 14 G, 46 P, +8

The Blues and Capitals hooked up for another potential win-win deal in late June, with St. Louis swapping Jordan Kyrou for McMichael, prospect Milton Gastrin, and the No. 16 overall pick in the 2026 draft. It’s easy to see why both teams got in on the action, but the Blues did particularly well in parlaying the 28-year-old Kyrou for a trio of future-suited pieces.

McMichael and Kyrou actually both scored exactly 46 points in the 2025-26 season, although Kyrou has a much stronger track record of higher production (he’s a three-time 30-goal and 70-point scorer). Still, the Blues view McMichael as having the speed and skill required to help recreate a large part of Kyrou’s offensive output, particularly if he plays on a line with Robert Thomas, Dylan Holloway, or fellow summer acquisition Mason McTavish. New Blues GM Alex Steen wasted very little time signing McMichael to a six-year deal carrying a $6.75-million cap hit, which could soon become a bargain if McMichael returns to (or builds upon) his 26-goal, 57-point form in the 2024-25 season.

There are plenty of reasons for optimism. Even as his production dropped to 46 points in 2025-26, McMichael ranked among the Capitals’ leaders with 2.22 points per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 — second only to Tom Wilson. McMichael consistently generated dangerous chances and set up his linemates for good opportunities. In St. Louis, McMichael will likely be much more of a fixture on the power play and should be given a much longer leash alongside the Blues’ top players. Kyrou was a very good Blue, but McMichael has what it takes to make up for his departure.

Simon Nemec

New team: Calgary Flames
Previous team: New Jersey Devils
2025-26 stats: 68 GP, 11 G, 26 P, -11

Does any NHL team have a stronger defensive pipeline than the Flames? Beyond Nemec, whom they paid a pair of future first-round picks to acquire from New Jersey in June, the Flames also have Zayne Parekh, Carson Carels, Kevin Bahl, Hunter Brzustewicz, Yan Kuznetsov, and Henry Mews in their talent pool on D. It’s an incredibly impressive group that gives the Flames a strong backbone to build upon in the years to come.

Despite only having turned 22 in January, Nemec was already one of the league’s best goal-scoring defenders this past season, tallying 10 times at even strength — tying him with the likes of Lane Hutson, Bowen Byram, and former Flame Rasmus Andersson for 17th among all NHL rearguards. Nemec’s defensive play is certainly a work in progress, but there are very few blueliners who are capable of jumping up into the play as effectively as Nemec does. He frequently acts as a fourth forward on the rush to create odd-man opportunities for his team, and while there’s a fair amount of risk in that approach, it routinely pays dividends.

What Nemec really needs is a responsible partner who can allow him to play his game without fear, and the Flames might have exactly that for him in Kevin Bahl, who also came from the Devils in a major offseason trade two years ago. It remains to be seen whether Nemec or Parekh will get the nod to run the Flames’ No. 1 power-play unit, but either way, they should both get plenty of chances to play in high-leverage offensive situations. Nemec was never going to get that much rope in New Jersey, where Luke Hughes had seized full control of the reins as the team’s go-to point-producing defender. As Calgary’s highest-paid rearguard, Nemec will be given every opportunity to build off his previous accomplishments.

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POST SPONSORED BY bet365

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Recently by Mike Gould

2028 World Cup of Hockey: Early Team Finland roster projections

Matt Larkin — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 18:40:00 GMT

With Scott Maxwell

It wasn’t long ago that the exercise of constructing best-on-best rosters was pure fantasy, as we went 11 years between seeing NHLers compete for undisputed international hockey supremacy. Today? We’re spoiled. We had the 4 Nations Face-Off in 2025 and the Olympics in 2026, and we’ll get a World Cup in 2028 before another Olympic tournament in 2030.

We no longer have to operate in the theoretical; we’ve seen the world’s most elite men’s hockey nations clash. We know which players flourished and which didn’t. When we project rosters going forward, we do so making educated guesses this time around.

This summer at Daily Faceoff, we’ll kick tires on what the top World Cup rosters might look like. The eight participating nations aren’t confirmed, but we know what the top half dozen countries will be at least.

A few rules to know for this exercise:

1. Just as the 4 Nations did, we’ll use NHL-sized rosters rather than the Olympic-sized ones in these projections. That means 20 skaters and three goalies rather than the 22 and three that teams brought to Milan this winter – until or unless the NHL confirms a roster-size change.

2. The tournament is 19 months away, and teams will likely be finalized around 17 months from now, so we’ll do a fair amount of age-based projection here, whether that means the ascension and best-on-best debuts of certain youngsters or the aging out of some players from 2026 Olympic squads.

We began with Canada and USA earlier this month. Next, we look at the always-proud Finland, fresh off snagging bronze at the Milan Winter Games. If the Finns could do that without top center Aleksander Barkov, could they threaten for the crown at the 2028 World Cup with him back?

FORWARDS (13) – Matt Larkin’s picks

Artturi Lehkonen	Aleksander Barkov	Oliver Kapanen
Mikael Granlund	Roope Hintz	Mikko Rantanen
Patrik Laine	Sebastian Aho	Konsta Helenius
Eetu Luostarinen	Anton Lundell	Kaapo Kakko
	Erik Haula

Assuming most guys play their natural positions, the Finns have incredible center depth and can function as a true four-line team. I’ve tried to carry over some pre-established chemistry, with the former all-Dallas-Stars trio of Granlund, Hintz and Rantanen intact while Florida Panthers teammates Luostarinen and Lundell remain linemates. All four forward trios have strong two-way acumen.

Biggest flex: Laine was injured and missed the 2026 Olympics. He feels like a ghost, as we’ve barely seen him in NHL action for a year and a half. But his ability to score on the power-play remains elite. I’m expecting a bounce-back campaign between now and 2028, which will put Laine back on the international radar. He might feel like a flex now, but perhaps he won’t by 2028 if he gets his career on track.

Toughest cut: Joel Armia, a good soldier who can play in many situations, actually co-led the team in scoring at the Olympics this past winter. But I wanted to fit some new blood on the roster, most notably the promising Helenius, and Armia will almost be 35 when the World Cup arrives, so he might get nudged off the roster.

Also considered: Joel Armia, Eeli Tolvanen, Teuvo Teravainen, Matias Maccelli, Jesse Puljujarvi, Aatu Raty

FORWARDS (13) – Scott Maxwell’s picks

Sebastian Aho	Aleksander Barkov	Konsta Helenius
Artturi Lehkonen	Roope Hintz	Mikko Rantanen
Eetu Luostarinen	Anton Lundell	Kaapo Kakko
Teuvo Teravainen	Oliver Kapanen	Patrik Laine
	Mikael Granlund

The Finnish forward group was relatively easy to put together, even when projecting out two years. Save for Helenius, there don’t appear to be any notable players coming up the pipeline in Finland who will be capable of making this team come early 2028, so projecting age didn’t have to come into play too much. Like Matt, I went with a chemistry combination in the top six, but not the Stars connection. Instead, I went with the Rantanen connection, giving him his current Stars teammate in Hintz and his former Colorado Avalanche teammate in Lehkonen, while Barkov and Aho will insulate the less-experienced Helenius on the other line. I continued the chemistry with the Panthers connection in Lundell and Luostarinen, and Kakko’s underrated play since moving to the Seattle Kraken has earned him the spot alongside those two. Granlund could easily slot in that spot of the lineup as well, and probably will due to experience, but should probably be on the fringes of making the roster considering he’ll be 36 at the time of the World Cup. If I were running the team, I would probably leave him off, but realistically, I don’t see Finland turning down their Olympic captain, especially with the options after him not being clear-cut improvements. Kapanen’s development could move him up the lineup as well, but for now, I have him on a sheltered offense-first fourth line with Teravainen and Laine.

Biggest flex: It’s certainly not a flex to have Helenius on my roster, but it might be a flex including him in my top six. There’s some heavy projection there, but he’s already displayed his talent in his limited NHL action, and should be well established by the time the World Cup comes around. And let’s be realistic, is there anyone else in this Finnish bottom-six forward group that has the potential to be as high-end as Helenius?

Toughest cut: I always enjoy watching Eeli Tolvanen play, and think he’s a very efficient scorer, but it was hard to find a spot for him on this roster, save for Finland not trusting Laine or not wanting to go with a 36-year-old Granlund. He has the talent to be in this lineup, but he lacks the upside and consistency. He’ll definitely be a consideration if injuries come about.

Also considered: Joel Armia, Kasperi Kapanen, Matias Maccelli, Eeli Tolvanen

DEFENSEMEN (7) – Matt Larkin’s picks

Esa Lindell	Miro Heiskanen
Niko Mikkola	Rasmus Ristolainen
Olli Maatta	Henri Jokiharju
	Nikolas Matinpalo

The Finnish defense pipeline is in a strange place. It’s extremely shallow, and the next wave of potential NHLers hasn’t graduated yet, so we might see the same D-corps that went to Milan, even two years later. It lacks flash aside from Heiskanen, but this is a big, strong, mobile group, and the Lindell-Heiskanen pair can chew up monster minutes again.

Biggest flex: None. These are the same pairs that Finland trotted out for the bronze-medal game against Slovakia in February.

Toughest cut: None. No one below the cut line feels like a threat to the current seven, though Mikko Lehtonen has been an international fixture for many years and made the Milan squad since it could take eight blueliners.

Also considered: Mikko Lehtonen, Urho Vaakanainen, Aaron Kiviharju, Juho Piiparinen

DEFENSEMEN (7) – Scott Maxwell’s picks

Esa Lindell	Miro Heiskanen
Niko Mikkola	Rasmus Ristolainen
Urho Vaakanainen	Olli Maatta
	Nikolas Matinpalo

You shouldn’t be surprised by the Finnish defense corps at this point. They have one elite defenseman in Heiskanen who will eat every minute possible; four solid, experienced defensemen to fill out most of the depth; and then everybody else. I obviously kept the Stars pair together for the top unit, but the other three locks are relatively interchangeable, as are the options beyond them. Expect some solid defense, but maybe some shaky puck movement at times. Save for a young Finnish blueliner coming out of nowhere to add some much-needed dynamism to this group, this is probably what they’ll run out in 2025-26.

Biggest flex: Maybe it’s putting Vaakanainen in here instead of Jokiharju, who was on the Olympic squad. I just find Vaakanainen to be more solid defensively than Jokiharju, but I wouldn’t lose my mind if it went the other way around. This is less a decision about which defenseman is better and more about which defenseman is less bad.

Toughest cut: Again, Jokiharju, but I’m not losing sleep over it.

Also considered: Henri Jokiharju, Mikko Lehtonen, Juuso Valimaki

GOALIES (3) – Matt Larkin’s picks

Juuse Saros

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Kevin Lankinen

After a shaky 4 Nations, Saros reasserted himself as Finland’s top goalie with an excellent Olympics, posting a .940 save percentage. He should maintain control of a reasonably deep Finnish battery.

Biggest flex: I’ve leapfrogged Luukkonen ahead of Lankinen for No. 2 duties but, remember, ‘UPL’ did originally make the Milan team and had to pull out due to injury.

Toughest cut: None, as Korpisalo only made the Olympic squad as Luukkonen’s replacement. I do wonder if an upstart such as Merilainen can push for a spot by 2028, however.

Also considered: Joonas Korpisalo, Justus Annunen, Leevi Merilainen, Joel Blomqvist

GOALIES (3) – Scott Maxwell’s picks

Juuse Saros

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Justus Annunen

The days of Tuukka Rask, Pekka Rinne and Miikka Kiprusoff these are not, but this is still a relatively solid goalie trio. While Saros still has the potential to play at an elite caliber (which he did at the Olympics), we’re now three years removed from his last dominant NHL season. Maybe that’s a product of the Nashville Predators’ lack of success, but there’s plenty of reasons to be cautious about handing Saros the starting role outright, especially since he’ll be 33 at the time of the World Cup. Still, the options aren’t spectacular behind him, with the only other truly consistent option being Luukkonen. He could challenge Saros for the starting gig, but it’s still Saros’ to lose.

Biggest flex: Annunen may come as a big surprise for the final slot, but you’d be surprised to learn that in the last five seasons, only Saros has a higher 5v5 goals saved above expected than Annunen among Finnish goalies. He had a quietly solid season last year and will still be just 27 during the World Cup while most of Finland’s options will be in their late 30s. Save for the younger Merilainen bouncing back from a disastrous 2025-26 season and showing more promise, I think Annunen might be the best goalie for the third slot.

Toughest cut: Lankinen’s been a good soldier for Finland, logging some minutes at the 4 Nations Face-Off and the Olympics in the past couple seasons, but he’s seen his play decline recently and will be 33 when the World Cup comes around. With a couple younger options with potential in the aforementioned Annunen and Merilainen to consider, it might make sense to go young with the third goalie slot just to give them the experience.

Also considered: Joonas Korpisalo, Kevin Lankinen, Leevi Merilainen

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Recently by Matt Larkin

Mammoth sign Max Pšenička to entry-level contract

Tyler Kuehl — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 17:09:30 GMT

A talented defensive prospect has inked his first NHL contract.

On Thursday, the Utah Mammoth announced that the team has signed defenseman Max Psenicka to a three-year, entry-level contract.

We have signed defenseman Max Pšenička to a three-year entry-level contract.

Read more here: https://t.co/RgvpEay6MF pic.twitter.com/JWV4BhoVvt
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) July 23, 2026

Psenicka was originally taken by the Mammoth in the second round, 46th overall, of the 2025 NHL Draft, the franchise’s second draft after relocating from Arizona.

The Praha, Czechia native is coming off his first full season in North America. In 53 games with the Western Hockey League’s Portland Winterhawks, he scored eight goals and 22 assists for 30 points, posting a plus/minus of +3. He helped the Winterhawks snag the last playoff spot in the Western Conference. Psenicka failed to score a point in their first-round series against the top-seeded Everett Silvertips, losing in four straight to the eventual WHL champions.

Psenicka was able to join the Mammoth’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners, for the final swing of their regular season. He appeared in two games, registering an assist in his pro debut against the San Diego Gulls on April 15. The 19-year-old notched a +1 rating in his brief stint on an amateur tryout.

Along with his club season, Psenicka represented his country on one of hockey’s biggest stages. At the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, he posted a goal and three points in seven games, helping Czechia reach the gold medal game. The Czechs ultimately fell to Sweden in the final.

The 6-foot-5 rearguard scored nine goals and 28 assists for 37 points in 57 regular-season games with Portland, with another eight points in 22 postseason affairs.

Before coming to North America, Psenicka spent some time in the Czech Extraliga, appearing in 16 games for HC Plzeň in the 2024-25 season, posting two goals before joining the Winterhawks for the latter half of the year.

‘It hurt not playing’: Morrissey on injury during 2026 Olympics

Kyle Morton — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

For Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey, the 2025-26 season was a successful one at the individual level, as he racked up 55 points in 77 regular season games, but a bit disappointing on the team level.

Morrissey and the Jets followed up a Presidents’ Trophy win by missing the playoffs altogether this past season, and after appearing in three games as Team Canada won the 4 Nations Face-Off a year ago, Morrissey missed all but one game at the Winter Olympics as the Canadians ultimately fell to Team USA in overtime in the gold medal game.

The 31-year-old was injured during the opening game against the Czechs and missed the rest of the tournament while his teammates badly missed the puck-moving ability he brought to the defensive unit as the event wore on.

On Tuesday’s episode of Barn Burner, a podcast from Flames Nation, the Calgary native joined host Ryan Pinder to discuss the disappointment he felt in not being able to be there for the national team in the biggest moment.

Ryan Pinder: And then it’s game one against Czechia at the Olympics, you get injured, and it’s like, ‘How is this happening again?’ Like you’ve got to be so frustrated at that.

Josh Morrissey: Yeah, I mean equally if not more, I suppose, in that it’s the Olympics. Unfortunately, I injured my shoulder, and looking back on it now, I suppose the one saving grace for me was like, it wasn’t like hey, you’re out two months so mentally I was checked out the rest of the way. There was still a chance to potentially come back, and so we did everything we could with the medical team and what not. All the different things you can do behind the scenes, but sort of the same thing, just couldn’t get it to a place where I could go at that level, especially with a healthy body [available]. Yeah, tough, ended up missing some time afterwards… Disappointing to say the least, but some of my greatest memories being there and being in that room with the guys. Obviously it hurt not playing. It killed not being able to be out there and feel like you could help the guys in the final. A helpless, brutal feeling, but definitely hoping that there will be more opportunities to represent Canada and have another shot at it.

You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode below…

Victoire sign Michelle Karvinen to one-year contract

Tyler Kuehl — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:53:55 GMT

One of the best players in international hockey is moving across the country.

On Thursday, the Montreal Victoire announced that the team has signed forward Michelle Karvinen to a one-year contract for the 2026-27 season.

Karvinen joins the reigning Walter Cup champions after spending her first season in the PWHL with the Vancouver Goldeneyes. The 36-year-old was the expansion team’s first-ever draft pick, as she was selected seventh overall in the 2025 PWHL Draft. There was a lot of expectation that her veteran experience and talent would lead Vancouver in its inaugural season.

However, things didn’t work out for Karvinen and company. She and the Goldeneyes struggled to come together, and ended up hanging around the bottom of the league standings for most of the season. In 30 games, Karvinen posted just three goals and six assists for nine points, with a plus/minus of -9. Vancouver ended up finishing sixth in the PWHL, but earned the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft by earning the most Draft Order points.

Karvinen became a free agent after she didn’t receive a qualifying offer from the Goldeneyes. Joining a team with the likes of Abby Roque, Laura Stacey, Jessie Eldridge and captain Marie-Philip Poulin might be the spark that Karvinen needs to find that offensive spark in the PWHL.

Internationally, Karvinen is one of the best European players of all time. She has scored more points than any other Finnish player in the history of the IIHF Women’s World Championship (62), with her 24 points ranking her second in women’s Olympic scoring by a Finn behind Riikka Sallinen. Karvinen is a three-time Olympic bronze medalist, a one-time silver medalist at the Women’s Worlds, with another seven bronze medals in the tournament. She’s a four-time SDHL champion, and a three-time leading scorer in Sweden’s top professional league.

With the signing, the Victoire have 18 players signed to contracts for the 2026-27 campaign. General manager Daniele Sauvageau can sign one more athlete prior to training camp opening in the fall.

Sirens sign Makenna Webster to three-year contract

Hunter Crowther — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:03:14 GMT

The New York Sirens announced Thursday they signed forward Makenna Webster to a three-year contract through the 2028-29 season.

Back to business 💼

We have signed forward Makenna Webster on a three-year Standard Player Agreement through the 2028-29 season. Webster is coming off of a year with the US WNT in Field Hockey and is our first on the roster to be signed through the 2028-29 season.

📰… pic.twitter.com/UT11wrLkts

— New York Sirens (@PWHL_NewYork) July 23, 2026

Webster, 24, was taken by the Sirens in the third round of the 2025 PWHL Draft. Soon after, the St. Louis, Mo., native announced she would spend the 2025-26 season focusing on field hockey, where she was part of the U.S. women’s national team, helping them win gold at the 3 Nations Tournament in New Zealand last January.

“I’m incredibly grateful to have been drafted by New York and to officially begin this next chapter with the Sirens organization,” Webster said in a press release. “After spending the past season focused on field hockey and representing Team USA, I’m excited to get back on the ice and can’t wait to get started with such an amazing team.”

On the ice, Webster played five seasons of college hockey with the University of Wisconsin and The Ohio State University. In 151 career NCAA games, she recorded 70 goals and 96 assists for 166 points. Her best season came with the Badgers in 2021-22, where she posted 23 goals and 30 assists for 53 points.

In 2021, she helped Wisconsin win the NCAA National Championship and was named the Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player. In 2024, she led Ohio State to a National Championship.

“Makenna is a player we’ve believed in from the day we drafted her,” Sirens general manager Pascal Daoust said in the press release. “Her commitment to excellence, whether representing the United States in field hockey or now joining our team, speaks to the person and competitor she is. Her character, work ethic and mindset fit the culture we are building in New York.

“Her three-year commitment is a strong statement of her belief in our vision and her desire to be part of what we are building,” he added.

Read more PWHL stories on DFO

2026-27 NHL Prospect Pool Breakdown: Los Angeles Kings’ Top 10

Steven Ellis — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Welcome back.

Today, we’re breaking down the Los Angeles Kings.

It’s been a while since the Kings were legit contenders.

They’ve won nine total playoff games over the past decade, and haven’t advanced past the first round since winning the Stanley Cup in 2014. So you’d think their pipeline would be a bit better than it is. But after trading Liam Greentree – the team’s previous No. 1 – in the Artemi Panarin trade, the team still leaves a lot to desire in the farm system.

I liked Los Angeles’ 2026 draft. Elton Hermansson was my 20th-rated prospect, but he went 19th overall. I know Liam Lefebvre was drafted with the team’s first pick on Day 2, but I liked a few of the guys they snagged later more. Still, the fact they took guys like Adam Gajan and Gio Pantelas much lower than I would have suggests (in my opinion) they got some excellent value this year. We’ll see how many of them pan out, but you’ll see below that this draft class has really boosted the team’s pipeline in a big way.

GM Ken Holland still has a lot of work to do to make this group competitive again. I think the farm system is definitely stronger than it was a year ago, but the NHL team isn’t close to being truly dangerous again. We’ll see what type of magic Holland can cook up.

Biggest Strength

The Kings might have some of the best goaltending depth in the league. Often, when you see a goalie near the top of a pipeline, that means they lack true depth. And while that could still be the case for LA, I really believe in both Hampton Slukynsky and Carter George. I think the pair should create an immediate high-end duo for the Ontario Reign, and it won’t be long until they’re pushing for NHL starts. At the very least, one of them could end up becoming valuable trade fodder. I also like Petteri Rimpinen, who had his fair share of massive international performances with Finland over the past two years. I feel confident at least two of the three will become NHLers. We’ll see about Yegor Rybkin.

Biggest Weakness

There isn’t a single center on this list, and I’m not overly confident about any of them. Lefebvre was the closest to making this list, and I gave Thomas Vandeberg some consideration, too. Right now, I don’t feel entirely high about any of the centers in this system, and I especially don’t expect any of them to reach the NHL in any meaningful way any time soon.

Fast Facts:

NHL GM: Ken Holland
Dir. Amateur Scouting: Mark Yannetti
Dir. of Player Development: Glen Murray
AHL Affiliate: Ontario Reign
ECHL Affiliate: Greenville Swamp Rabbits

TOP 10 PROSPECTS

Henry Brzustewicz (Ian Goodall/Goodall Media)

1. Henry Brzustewicz, RHD, 19 (London Knights, OHL)

Acquired: Drafted 31st overall, first round in 2025

Brzustewicz had a strong two-year stretch with the London Knights, which was highlighted by the Memorial Cup in 2025. He just missed the 20-goal mark this past year, but he continued to look more proficient with the disk. Brzustewicz is a reliable two-way defender who can shoot the puck, skate well, and is willing to join in on the rush any time he can. The more he played, the better he played, too. I could see him becoming a second-pairing defenseman, but I’d like to see him take further steps in his own-zone play. Look for Brzustewicz to be one of the best defenders in the OHL this coming season, while also chasing a top-four role with USA’s World Junior team.

2. Hampton Slukynsky, G, 21 (Ontario Reign, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 118th overall, fourth round in 2023

Slukynsky became a national college champion in 2025 after going 19-5-1 with Western Michigan. He had another wonderful campaign in 2025-26, albeit without a national title. He then capped off the season with two impressive performances for the Reign, proving he’s ready for pro hockey. It already feels like he isn’t too far off NHL action. He’s mentally strong and physically impressive, giving opponents little to shoot at. He can be downright dominant at times, and he does a tremendous job of staying calm, cool, and collected whenever he needs to be. Slukynsky isn’t big at 6-foot-1, but he makes up for it with his speed and control in the crease. The Kings will want him to try and win the starter’s job (or at least outplay George) in Ontario before potentially giving him a promotion in 2027-28.

3. Carter George, G, 20 (Ontario Reign, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 57th overall, second round in 2024

Carter George (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)

George was one of the OHL’s top goaltenders for a three-year span – something very few can say. He also backstopped Canada at the past two World Juniors, helping Canada win bronze this past January. At 6-foot-2, George isn’t huge by any means, but he isn’t small, either. He’s as good as they come from a positional standpoint, rarely needing to dive out to make huge saves. Instead, he keeps things simple, often redirecting the shots out of danger. His OHL stats might not look impressive. But anyone who has watched him up close knows how important he is to the Attack every chance he gets. George has always been applauded for his mental strength. For a guy who has been so busy, workload-wise, George always manages to stay strong and power through everything thrown his way. I’m excited to watch him in the AHL.

4. Elton Hermansson, RW, 18 (Modo, Allsvenskan)

Acquired: Drafted 19th overall, first round in 2026

Hermansson loves generating offense. He put up solid numbers in the second-tier Swedish league last year and scored at a goal-per-game pace with the U-18 national team. From an offensive standpoint, there’s a lot to love, especially on the power play. His game away from the puck has improved over the past few months. However, it still feels like he isn’t as impactful as he needs to be when he’s not piling shots on net. I want to see more urgency when attacking opponents to regain possession. The good news: he’s best at the hardest thing to do in hockey, which is scoring goals. I liked this as LA’s first pick and hope he really pans out.

5. Vojtech Čihař, LW, 19 (Kelowna Rockets, WHL)

Acquired: Drafted 59th overall, second round in 2025

Čihař took home World Junior MVP honors after finishing with 12 points in seven games – good enough to win silver with Czechia. Čihař then bolted over to North America, where he had a point-per-game through 31 contests with the Memorial Cup hosts, Kelowna. The team fell asleep when it mattered most, but Čihař was one of the few Rockets players who really came alive during the club’s short-lived WHL playoff run. He seems to often find teammates on high-danger chances. Čihař is quick, crafty and took very little time to adjust to playing against men in the top Czech league this year. I like how hard he works along the boards, though I wish he committed to that level of defense. Still, I could see him becoming a good third forward on a middle-six line.

6. Kenny Connors, LW, 23 (Ontario Reign, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 103rd overall, fourth round in 2022

Kenny Connors (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

Connors was a re-entry prospect when the club took him in 2022. Since then, we have seen him turn pro and post excellent numbers in Ontario, tallying 15 goals and 41 points in 65 games. That was enough to earn him a two-game run with the big club while also establishing himself as a decent depth scoring threat. Connors is a smart forward who tends to get in the right scoring lanes at the right time. He’s extremely competitive, and feels like the type of guy you’d throw into the lineup in a tight playoff game to bring some life to the bottom six. At 23, Connors is definitely one of the older guys in Los Angeles’ system, but it feels like he has done enough to warrant a look in the NHL on a full-time basis sooner rather than later.

7. Adam Goljer, RHD, 18 (HK Dukla Trencin, Slovakia)

Acquired: Drafted 49th overall, second round in 2026

Goljer is raw, but that’s fine because there’s some solid upside. At 6-foot-3, he has size. He also plays with a ton of confidence, allowing him to consistently attack and defend strongly against older competition in the top Slovak league. Playing close to 20 minutes a night against men is no small feat for a 17-year-old, no matter the league. I like his gap control, his passing proficiency, and the pure power he plays with. I think he can get a bit antsy and make mistakes with his defensive reads under pressure, and his foot speed needs work. Both were exposed at the U-18s, but he’d often make up for it by dominating at both ends of the ice when he was at full force. But there’s raw talent there.

8. Blake Zielinski, RW, 18 (Providence College, NCAA)

Acquired: Drafted 80th overall, third round in 2026

Zielinski put up 55 points in 53 games with Des Moines – fantastic numbers for a draft-eligible player in a league that can sometimes be difficult to produce in. I also loved him at both the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and World Junior A Challenge with USA, where he won gold at both. It feels like his two-way game took big steps forward, as well. Zielinski isn’t tall, but he’s physically strong and can be annoying to play against. I think he needs to focus on becoming a better skater, but there’s a lot to like about his game as a potential depth scorer. I think he could be a steal at No. 80 for the Kings.

9. Gio Pantelas, RHD, 18 (Penticton Vees, WHL)

Acquired: Drafted 153rd overall, fifth round in 2026

Giorgos Pantelas (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)

Pantelas was one of the WHL’s most electric defenders earlier in the season but ultimately quieted down with just two assists in his final 15 games between the regular season and the playoffs. At one point, a 50-point pace looked possible, but he only finished with 37. Still, there’s enough to like as a second-round pick. I like how Pantelas never stops moving, has incredible confidence with the puck and sacrifices his body for a play. Pantelas is the type of player who won’t let you down defensively and will continue to improve offensively. It feels like he was one of the more improved defenders in the WHL last year, and he’ll get to play a leading role on a competitive Vees team this coming season. He’s a project, by all accounts, but one that could pay off for the Vees.

10. Jared Woolley, LHD, 20 (Ontario Reign, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 164th overall, sixth round in 2024

Woolley has done a lot of winning over the past two years. He won consecutive OHL titles with the London Knights before winning his first Memorial Cup in 2025. He was traded to Kitchener midway through the past season, and managed to play some of his best hockey to date. The 6-foot-5, 216-pound physical defenseman once again won the OHL Championship and the Memorial Cup to cap off his junior career in style. You typically don’t find defensemen taken as an overager with his type of size rocking up prospect boards as he has. But Wooley has been so impressive at breaking up plays and using his big frame to win battles. Scouts also like guys who’ve played a lot of meaningful hockey, so that doesn’t hurt.

Other Prospects: Jimmy Lombardi, C (19), Jared Wright, RW (23), Koehn Ziemmer, RW (21), Kaleb Lawrence, C (23), Francesco Pinelli, C (23), Aatu Jamsen, RW (23), Martin Chromiak, RW (23), Liam Lefebvre, C (19), Thomas Vandenberg, C (17), Alex Kostov, RW (20), Tobias Krestan, RW (18), Kristian Epperson, LW (20), Jan Chovan, C (19), Brendan McMorrow, C (20), James Reeder, RW (20), Ryan Conmy, RW (21), Jack Sparkes, RHD (22), Will Sharpe, LHD (19), Caeden Herrington, LHD (20), Lucas Ambrosio, LHD (18), Vertti Svensk, LHD (18), Kirill Kirsanov, LHD (23), Otto Salin, RHD (22), Jakub Dvorak, LHD (21), Angus Booth, LHD (22), Yegor Rybkin, G (19), Petteri Rimpinen, G (20)

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Recently from Steven Ellis

Blue Jackets, Greaves agree to three-year contract

Tyler Kuehl — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 13:57:20 GMT

After some tough negotiations, the Columbus Blue Jackets finally locked down their potential No. 1 between the pipes.

On Thursday, the team announced that it has signed goaltender Jet Greaves to a three-year contract. The deal will carry an AAV of $5 million through the 2028-29 season.

Columbus and Jet Greaves have a settlement.

3 X $5M
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 23, 2026

The massive pay bump for the 25-year-old comes after the team and player had their arbitration hearing on Thursday. Earlier in the week, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that Greaves and the Blue Jackets were not on the same page in talks. Friedman stated that Columbus was only offering $2.8 million a year, while Greaves’ camp was asking for $7.5 million.

This is the second time that Greaves had filed for arbitration with the Blue Jackets. However, the two sides avoided a hearing, with the Cambridge, Ont. native signing a two-year contract, carrying an NHL cap hit of $812,500.

Since then, Greaves managed to find his way into a starting position with the big club. This past season, he appeared in 55 games, going 26-19-9, with a 2.60 goals-against average, a .908 save percentage and two shutouts. His play helped the Blue Jackets go from the bottom of the Eastern Conference to, briefly, sitting in a top-three spot in the Metropolitan Division. However, Columbus stumbled in the final weeks, missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the sixth year in a row.

Greaves’ path to consistently playing in the NHL is quite the tale. He spent the first four years of his pro career mostly with the Cleveland Monsters, the Blue Jackets’ American Hockey League affiliate. He was one of the league’s better goaltenders, leading Cleveland to the Eastern Conference Final in 2024.

In 76 games in the NHL, Greaves has a record of 36-28-11, a 2.61 GAA, a .913 SV% and four shutouts. In 158 regular-season appearances in the AHL, he is 82-51-22, with a 2.87 GAA, a .909 SV%, and seven shutouts. Greaves is also 11-8 in the Calder Cup Playoffs, with a 2.33 GAA, a .921 SV% and one shutout.