Megastar Connor McDavid signed a two-year, $25-million contract extension with the Edmonton Oiler...

Megastar Connor McDavid <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3324153" href="https://thescore.com/news/3324153">signed</a> a two-year, $25-million contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers on Monday, the eve of the NHL regular season. The details of the deal stunned the hockey world. Here's what the contract means for McDavid, the Oilers, other star players, and the rest of the league.<h3>What it means for McDavid, Oilers</h3>McDavid's standing as the consensus best player in the world gave him nearly limitless leverage against the Oilers' management group. The phrase "he's been given a blank check" gets tossed around a lot in pro sports, often in jest, yet this truly was a blank-check situation.This was by no means a negotiation: McDavid could have signed for as many years as he wanted (maximum of eight) and for as much money as he wanted (max 20% of the salary cap). He ultimately put his lifelong goal of winning a Stanley Cup above everything else. The Cup-or-bust vibe in Edmonton will continue beyond this season, and the cap-crunched front office suddenly has money to play with next summer.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"It's a steal for them," a member of a rival front office told theScore, referring to the Oilers. "He's giving them a clear window of opportunity, and if they don't win, he'll leave, having done his part."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/790956/cropped_GettyImages-2220655330.jpg?ts=1759777767" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/790956/w220xh124_GettyImages-2220655330.jpg?ts=1759777767 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/790956/w320xh180_GettyImages-2220655330.jpg?ts=1759777767 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/790956/w640xh360_GettyImages-2220655330.jpg?ts=1759777767 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/790956/w768xh432_GettyImages-2220655330.jpg?ts=1759777767 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/790956/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2220655330.jpg?ts=1759777767 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Brian Babineau / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The NHL is littered with team-friendly contracts. This is different: a unicorn deal for a unicorn player. McDavid signing for $5 million below market value (conservative estimate) upgrades the label to preposterously team-friendly.McDavid signed for the same average annual value as his current deal even though the cap rose from $87.7 million last year to $95.5 million this year and is set to jump to at least $104 million in 2026-27 and at least $113.5 million in 2027-28.In other words, the three-time Hart Trophy winner will account for 13% of the cap this year, 12% next year, and 11% in '27-28 (based on projections). While McDavid isn't technically taking a pay cut, his piece of the pie will shrink.That $12.5-million AAV is currently the fifth highest for '26-27, slotting in $100,000 below Nathan MacKinnon and $500,000 above Mitch Marner and Mikko Rantanen. Kirill Kaprizov signed a record-setting eight-year, $136-million extension last week. The Russian winger is a tremendous player - arguably top 10 on the planet - but his $17-million AAV looks ridiculous now.Keep in mind, too, that McDavid should be knocked down a few spots on the '26-27 and '27-28 cap hit lists once pending unrestricted free agents Jack Eichel, Artemi Panarin, and Kyle Connor put pen to paper on new deals.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/804499/cropped_GettyImages-2219113501.jpg?ts=1759773881" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/804499/w220xh124_GettyImages-2219113501.jpg?ts=1759773881 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/804499/w320xh180_GettyImages-2219113501.jpg?ts=1759773881 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/804499/w640xh360_GettyImages-2219113501.jpg?ts=1759773881 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/804499/w768xh432_GettyImages-2219113501.jpg?ts=1759773881 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/804499/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2219113501.jpg?ts=1759773881 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Steph Chambers / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>McDavid, who's entering his 11th season, will be 31 years old at the end of his extension, which means he'll have spent the entirety of his 20s and the bulk of his prime in an Oilers uniform. Even if he leaves for another club in 2028 free agency, absolutely no one should feel sorry for the Oilers, including the Oilers themselves. They were gifted a generational player, they did a decent but unremarkable job of supporting him, and that player remained incredibly loyal.A short-term deal always made the most sense from No. 97's perspective. It allows him to simultaneously commit to the Oilers and keep his options open.With close friend and fellow superstar Leon Draisaitl helping carry the offense, Edmonton has a legitimate shot at reaching a third straight Cup Final this season. On the flip side, it's fair to wonder about the next iteration of this group. Goaltending remains an organizational sore spot, many of the core pieces up front and on the back end are in their 30s, and premier young talent isn't on its way.<h3>What it means for other stars, league</h3>The pending UFA market was turned on its head over the past week, with Kaprizov signing for above market value and McDavid signing for below.General managers and agents may view both situations as wholly unique and thus not particularly relevant to their own negotiations. Or perhaps the new extensions, particularly McDavid's, will reduce how much leverage Eichel, Panarin, and Connor can wield in contract talks.Either way, you can bet there are some players and agents out there who aren't too happy with McDavid's team-first approach. As the thinking goes, the best player in the world should raise the bar for everybody else. (Counterpoint: That's pretty unfair. McDavid's already earned $92 million over his career, makes millions per year in endorsements, and is sick of losing.)<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799195/cropped_GettyImages-2231676729.jpg?ts=1759777722" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799195/w220xh124_GettyImages-2231676729.jpg?ts=1759777722 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799195/w320xh180_GettyImages-2231676729.jpg?ts=1759777722 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799195/w640xh360_GettyImages-2231676729.jpg?ts=1759777722 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799195/w768xh432_GettyImages-2231676729.jpg?ts=1759777722 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799195/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2231676729.jpg?ts=1759777722 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Leah Hennel / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>It'll be interesting to see whether McDavid's reasoning influences his peers. Will any other stars feel emboldened to buck peer pressure and prioritize winning over money? McDavid and Sidney Crosby have both done that now - in fact, Crosby's done it more than once.(And guess who else is lined up to hit free agency in 2028? Auston Matthews - who, like McDavid, is represented by Wasserman's Judd Moldaver.)At the team level, the Oilers retaining McDavid is terrible news for Pacific Division teams - especially the Kings, who've lost to Edmonton in the first round for four straight seasons. It's bad news for the Western Conference in general, and of course for any franchise holding out hope that he'd test free agency.Edmonton will be a default Cup contender for as long as McDavid continues to play at the level of an unquestioned world No. 1. There's nobody like him, and he's as motivated to win as ever. The most significant takeaway from this deal, however, might be that Oilers CEO Jeff Jackson and GM Stan Bowman will have plenty of flexibility instead of relative restriction. Think about it: McDavid and Draisaitl have a combined cap hit of just $26.5 million in '26-27 and '27-28.If Jackson and Bowman fail to surround those two top-five players with a championship-winning roster, McDavid will surely be gone in 2028. If his new deal signals anything, it's that he's doing the Oilers a favor and wants to be rewarded accordingly.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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Unpacking McDavid's deal: What it means for Oilers, NHL, other stars

Who's ready for the first season of NHL and Olympic hockey in 12 years?  I've cooked up 26 predic...

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26 bold predictions for the 2025-26 NHL season

Below is a list of 10 people who will define the upcoming NHL season (and Olympic tournament) for...

Below is a list of 10 people who will define the upcoming NHL season (and Olympic tournament) for one reason or another. Some are influential or transcendent. Others are staring down big decisions. All of them are intriguing.<h3>Patrick Kane</h3>Kane, who signed a one-year contract extension with the Detroit Red Wings in June, is well past his prime. He isn't chasing 100-point seasons or fat paychecks at 36.Still, the table is set for a memorable season.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Kane enters 2025-26 with 492 goals and 1,343 points. Eight more goals and he joins the 500-goal club. Thirty-two more points and he's the all-time leader among Americans, passing Mike Modano. Fifty-seven more points and he becomes the 23rd or 24th player in NHL history to reach 1,400 (Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin is also close at 1,346 points to start the season).<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803550/cropped_GettyImages-2209382588.jpg?ts=1759195791" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803550/w220xh124_GettyImages-2209382588.jpg?ts=1759195791 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803550/w320xh180_GettyImages-2209382588.jpg?ts=1759195791 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803550/w640xh360_GettyImages-2209382588.jpg?ts=1759195791 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803550/w768xh432_GettyImages-2209382588.jpg?ts=1759195791 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803550/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2209382588.jpg?ts=1759195791 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Then there's the Olympics. Kane's a long shot to crack Team USA's roster, but his dream of competing in a third Games is by no means dead. "I don't want to be chosen just for what I've done in the past or to just be another guy," Kane said recently. "I'd love to be a guy who gets off to a great start, gets picked for the team, and can help in any way possible once you get there."Young Kane inspired an entire generation of playmakers."He was laying the foundation for the shiftiness and the hands of so many guys now," Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy said. "He changed the game of hockey. He's an absolute legend. And it's great that he's an American."Lastly, the Red Wings: The Original Six franchise that Kane picked as a November 2023 free agent is anxious to snap a nine-year playoff drought. "We really feel like we're on the verge, and we should do it this year," Kane said.<h3>Bill Zito</h3>It was never going to be easy for Zito's Florida Panthers to win a third straight Stanley Cup. The three-peat case has been weakened significantly of late, with three forwards - All-Star Matthew Tkachuk, ever-important Aleksander Barkov, and fourth-line center Tomas Nosek - sustaining long-term injuries ahead of the season.Tkachuk's sidelined until around December, Nosek's out for "several months," and Barkov's gone for seven-to-nine months, giving him a return timeline of April-June.How does Zito, a finalist for the NHL's General Manager of the Year award in four of his five seasons in Florida, navigate the next six months? Does Zito acquire someone to "replace" Barkov (note: nobody can truly replace the marvelous Finn) or hope he returns in close-to-normal form for the playoffs?Zito's no stranger to swinging for the fences in trades. The Panthers' front office as a whole excels at bringing in the right pieces at the right time.<h3>Quinn and Jack Hughes</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803602/cropped_GettyImages-2181356948.jpg?ts=1759238783" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803602/w220xh124_GettyImages-2181356948.jpg?ts=1759238783 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803602/w320xh180_GettyImages-2181356948.jpg?ts=1759238783 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803602/w640xh360_GettyImages-2181356948.jpg?ts=1759238783 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803602/w768xh432_GettyImages-2181356948.jpg?ts=1759238783 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803602/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2181356948.jpg?ts=1759238783 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jeff Vinnick / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>For Quinn Hughes, 2025-26 is vital to figuring out if the Vancouver Canucks are a franchise worth committing to over a second long-term contract. (He's eligible to sign an extension on July 1, 2026.) This season is also massive for proving he's a legitimate threat to Cale Makar for best-defenseman-on-the-planet honors.For Jack Hughes, 2025-26 is key for silencing critics of his injury woes. (The six-year NHLer has missed a batch of games in every season but one.) It's also big for showing he can be the man in New Jersey and lead the Devils to the playoffs.The Hughes brothers will be hugely important to the U.S. Olympic squad. Quinn, who missed the 4 Nations Face-Off due to injury, should log top-pair minutes in Milan, while Jack has a chance to snatch a premier winger spot despite looking overwhelmed and contributing only one assist at 4 Nations.<h3>Connor McDavid</h3>McDavid has posted gaudy numbers and won individual trophies consistently over the past decade. He helps define every season simply by being the best player in the world. Theoretically, his 11th season could be his wildest yet.With McDavid and running mate Leon Draisaitl dominating every night, the Edmonton Oilers automatically deserve inner-circle Cup contender status. Meanwhile, McDavid's competing in his first Olympics and Canada has an excellent shot at winning gold. Oh, and McDavid remains undecided on his future. He could re-sign on a record-breaking long-term deal, go short with Edmonton, or create by far the craziest bidding war in NHL history by testing free agency.<h3>Sidney Crosby</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803554/cropped_GettyImages-2237817081.jpg?ts=1759196128" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803554/w220xh124_GettyImages-2237817081.jpg?ts=1759196128 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803554/w320xh180_GettyImages-2237817081.jpg?ts=1759196128 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803554/w640xh360_GettyImages-2237817081.jpg?ts=1759196128 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803554/w768xh432_GettyImages-2237817081.jpg?ts=1759196128 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803554/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2237817081.jpg?ts=1759196128 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Still one of the faces of the sport at 38, Crosby will be part of the national conversation on a near-daily basis over the course of his 21st season.Crosby's level of play is an important story. Does he remain elite or does his production begin to dry up?His future is a juicy story. Does he choose to endure the Pittsburgh Penguins' rebuild or does he give management the green light to explore a midseason trade?And his international resume is a legacy-affecting story. Does Canada win a third Olympic gold medal with him as its on- and off-ice leader, or does the team flounder?<h3>Spencer Carbery</h3>Carbery is a superstar in coaching circles. The 43-year-old's entering his third year behind the Capitals' bench and, boy, did everything click into place in Year 2. Washington grabbed 111 points to earn the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, Alex Ovechkin scored Goal 895 earlier than expected, and Dylan Strome, Aliaksei Protas, and many others enjoyed career years.The flip side of all that success: Regression is probably around the corner.The Caps probably won't finish first in the league in shooting percentage or get stellar night-to-night goaltending from the Logan Thompson-Charlie Lindgren tandem again. Ovechkin - 40 and looking it, no longer chasing history, and perhaps playing his final season - is primed to decline.Washington's lineup is strong enough to grab one of three playoff spots in a weak Metropolitan Division. However, nothing will be given to them, which means Carbery's ability to elevate a team is going to be put to the test often.<h3>Ivan Demidov</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803555/cropped_GettyImages-2212198443.jpg?ts=1759196245" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803555/w220xh124_GettyImages-2212198443.jpg?ts=1759196245 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803555/w320xh180_GettyImages-2212198443.jpg?ts=1759196245 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803555/w640xh360_GettyImages-2212198443.jpg?ts=1759196245 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803555/w768xh432_GettyImages-2212198443.jpg?ts=1759196245 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803555/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2212198443.jpg?ts=1759196245 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Demidov put up 49 points in 65 KHL games last season as a teenager. He triumphantly arrived in Montreal in April and impressed in seven NHL games.The 2024 fifth overall pick has continued to add to his personal highlight reel during preseason action and looks set to begin his official rookie campaign in a prominent role on the second line alongside Kirby Dach and Patrik Laine.Demidov is a tantalizing talent already being compared to countryman Nikita Kucherov for his effortless skating, ankle-breaking dangles, and off-the-charts offensive instincts. The 19-year-old playmaking winger will be spotlighted for several reasons: He plays in a major market, the Canadiens are on the rise, and he's exact brand of player (offensive dynamo) the Habs desperately need.Frankly, it would be surprising if Demidov didn't win the Calder Trophy.<h3>Kevin Cheveldayoff</h3>Cheveldayoff didn't make our "<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3343618" href="https://thescore.com/news/3343618">people under the most pressure</a>" list because his job in Winnipeg appears as secure as ever under owner Mark Chipman.The second-longest-tenured GM in the league lands on this list because this Jets season has so many layers. Cheveldayoff is betting that Jonathan Toews is the answer at second-line center after two-plus years away from the game. The front office and coaching staff must figure out the right way to lessen starting goalie Connor Hellebuyck's regular-season workload. The reigning Hart Trophy winner needs to peak in the playoffs, not in December or March.The Jets haven't advanced past the second round since 2018 and didn't directly replace departed free agent Nikolaj Ehlers in the offseason. Cheveldayoff is armed with first-round picks and enough desirable prospects to pull off a needle-moving trade or two ahead of the March 6 deadline.Winnipeg has 10 pending unrestricted free agents on its roster, most notably top sniper Kyle Connor. Cheveldayoff can't fumble the Connor negotiation.<h3>Gavin McKenna</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803657/cropped_GettyImages-2167207668.jpg?ts=1759267783" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803657/w220xh124_GettyImages-2167207668.jpg?ts=1759267783 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803657/w320xh180_GettyImages-2167207668.jpg?ts=1759267783 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803657/w640xh360_GettyImages-2167207668.jpg?ts=1759267783 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803657/w768xh432_GettyImages-2167207668.jpg?ts=1759267783 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803657/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2167207668.jpg?ts=1759267783 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Leila Devlin / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>McKenna may not be officially affiliated with the NHL at the moment, but viral highlights and the multi-team race to the bottom of the standings for the opportunity to draft him next June will soon thrust him into the limelight.Is he a future Shark? Blackhawk? Penguin? Islander? Kraken? Flyer?McKenna's a talent worth tanking for - the unquestioned top prospect for the 2026 draft and the caliber of player who can change a franchise's trajectory overnight. The 17-year-old winger is a tremendous skater and thinker with the passing and shooting abilities to make him a true dual threat at the NHL level.McKenna left junior for the NCAA in the offseason. He'll star for Penn State while making a reported $700,000 in name, image, and likeness (NIL) money.<h3>Paul Theofanous</h3>Theofanous doesn't have the name recognition of fellow player agents like Pat Brisson, Judd Moldaver, or Darren Ferris. Make no mistake, though: The rep will be highly influential behind the scenes over the next 10-12 months.For starters, Theofanous just finished negotiating the most lucrative contract in history - $136 million over eight years for hotshot client Kirill Kaprizov. The Wild winger doesn't boldly turn down $128 million a few weeks ago without first discussing at length the risks and rewards of doing so with Theofanous.Kaprizov's front-loaded, signing-bonus-heavy deal carries a $17-million average annual value. It sets the bar for the rest of the 2026 UFA class, which is stacked with impact forwards, and resets the overall landscape as the salary cap rises from $95.5 million to $113.5 million over the next two years.Theofanous reps <a href="https://puckpedia.com/agent/paul-theofanous">nine NHLers</a>, including pending UFAs Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky. Panarin's stock is up with Kaprizov now off the market.The agent keeps a low profile, but the little we know about him is fascinating. Theofanous has served on three separate enlistments with the U.S. Army's Special Forces, deploying twice to Afghanistan since 9/11, according to one <a href="https://www.sftrust.org/new-index">online bio</a>. He speaks Russian, studied at the University of Denver (business) and Harvard (Soviet studies), and sits on the Special Forces Trust board.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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Ivan Demidov and 10 other people who will define the 2025-26 NHL season

Sam Reinhart is one of two NHL forwards to finish in the top five in Selke Trophy voting in each ...

Sam Reinhart is one of two NHL forwards to finish in the top five in Selke Trophy voting in each of the past two seasons. He is, in many ways, the epitome of a two-way forward - extremely detailed with and without the puck.Still, one opponent is virtually impossible to contain."There are some other superstars who you can defend - you can make it tough on them. But with (Connor) McDavid, it's a full 20 guys who are trying to defend him," Reinhart said recently at the NHL/NHLPA player media tour.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"That stress is a little higher when he's out there as opposed to anybody else in the league."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803060/cropped_GettyImages-2218982225.jpg?ts=1758928411" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803060/w220xh124_GettyImages-2218982225.jpg?ts=1758928411 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803060/w320xh180_GettyImages-2218982225.jpg?ts=1758928411 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803060/w640xh360_GettyImages-2218982225.jpg?ts=1758928411 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803060/w768xh432_GettyImages-2218982225.jpg?ts=1758928411 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803060/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2218982225.jpg?ts=1758928411 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Steph Chambers / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>McDavid is the best player on the planet. Everybody knows it.And yet it's revelatory when Reinhart - whose Panthers defeated McDavid's Oilers in back-to-back Stanley Cup finals - notes that No. 97 puts extra stress on an entire team. NHLers compete with and against each other while we watch on TV or from the press box. Nothing beats the ice-level perspective.Reinhart slots McDavid in the top spot without issue, but he struggles to name the next-best player in the world. First of all, there are a bunch of worthy candidates. Secondly, Reinhart argues, any gap between one megastar and another can be mostly attributed to external factors. "You've got guys in all different positions, all different scenarios, all different teams," he said.We surveyed 10 other NHLers at the player media tour about the ongoing second-best-player debate. Some were indecisive, like Reinhart. Others immediately offered a name (or two) to fill in the No. 2 spot. Here are four takeaways from the picks and rationales.<h3>Maybe MacKinnon deserves his own tier </h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803103/cropped_GettyImages-2205315855.jpg?ts=1758982933" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803103/w220xh124_GettyImages-2205315855.jpg?ts=1758982933 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803103/w320xh180_GettyImages-2205315855.jpg?ts=1758982933 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803103/w640xh360_GettyImages-2205315855.jpg?ts=1758982933 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803103/w768xh432_GettyImages-2205315855.jpg?ts=1758982933 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803103/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2205315855.jpg?ts=1758982933 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Mark Blinch / Getty Images</figcaption></figure><a href="https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2423408">Three years ago</a>, the No. 2 debate included Auston Matthews, Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Leon Draisaitl, and Nikita Kucherov. All six remain in the mix to varying degrees, while hipster cases could be made for Quinn Hughes and Aleksander Barkov.That's a lot of options with truly no wrong answer. As Islanders center Mat Barzal put it, "On any given night, it can be Leon, Nate, Kucherov, or Makar."Kings winger Adrian Kempe cast a vote for MacKinnon, who won the 2023-24 Hart Trophy with 140 points, then posted 116 last season. Matt Boldy of the Wild picked the "absolute beast" that is MacKinnon. Utah captain Clayton Keller also went with MacKinnon. Chicago's Connor Bedard - yep, MacKinnon."MacKinnon is up there. I think they're pretty close," Kempe said of the electric Avalanche center challenging McDavid. "It's their one-on-one skills. When you're out there against MacKinnon ... I don't know how to explain it. (It's amazing) how powerful he is and what he can do with the puck."Added Bedard: "McDavid's the best, and I really don't think there's any argument. But MacKinnon's the closest thing to that. Kind of similar (styles)."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803122/cropped_GettyImages-2213090777.jpg?ts=1758987878" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803122/w220xh124_GettyImages-2213090777.jpg?ts=1758987878 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803122/w320xh180_GettyImages-2213090777.jpg?ts=1758987878 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803122/w640xh360_GettyImages-2213090777.jpg?ts=1758987878 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803122/w768xh432_GettyImages-2213090777.jpg?ts=1758987878 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803122/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2213090777.jpg?ts=1758987878 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Michael Martin / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>MacKinnon receiving the most votes isn't surprising. However, the lack of variety in the responses is a bit odd with so many other strong cases. (Of course, the extreme results could be a product of a tiny sample size.)Players cited MacKinnon's unparalleled mix of power and quickness. His skating is somehow both explosive and beautiful, and he combines those darting strides with rapid stickhandling to tear defenses apart. Nobody peppers goalies with more shots from the slot area than MacKinnon, who's also an excellent playmaker, strong defensive player, and respected leader."MacKinnon comes up. That's probably the name that comes to mind first," 36-year-old Red Wings winger Patrick Kane, a top-five player during the prime of his career, said. "Cale Makar's incredible as well. Those guys are examples of guys who are pushing the envelope to get better every year. They're never really satisfied with what they're doing. They're pushing the league (forward)."San Jose's Macklin Celebrini and Buffalo's Tage Thompson couldn't decide between MacKinnon and Kucherov, the 2024-25 Ted Lindsay Award winner for "most outstanding player" as voted on by NHL Players' Association members. (The Hart, or MVP award, is picked by the pro writers' association.)"It's tough to compare those two types of players just because they're so different," Celebrini said of his dual pick. "But the calm and the smarts that Kucherov has - there's so much to learn from him, with the way he plays and the speed he plays at. Nate: he hits you with force and steps on your throat."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803121/cropped_GettyImages-2205627463.jpg?ts=1758987661" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803121/w220xh124_GettyImages-2205627463.jpg?ts=1758987661 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803121/w320xh180_GettyImages-2205627463.jpg?ts=1758987661 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803121/w640xh360_GettyImages-2205627463.jpg?ts=1758987661 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803121/w768xh432_GettyImages-2205627463.jpg?ts=1758987661 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803121/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2205627463.jpg?ts=1758987661 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Mark LoMoglio / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Kucherov's brain operates on a different frequency than any other NHLer. The Lightning winger's exceptionally deceptive and creative, and rivals gush over his bag of tricks. Case in point: If a puck is rimmed along the boards, most players have to handle it before making a play, whereas Kucherov can smoothly pick the puck off the dasher and fire it to a teammate in one motion."The game," Thompson said, "looks so easy for him."Kucherov doesn't play a premium position, and he can be lazy on defense. Those factors probably held him back from properly challenging MacKinnon.<h3>Matthews' stock is down - for now</h3>Courtesy of the Flames' Dustin Wolf, below is another example of a player unsure how to answer and ultimately settling on no one in particular."There's so many guys who can be No. 2," the young goalie said. "You can look at (Draisaitl) - he's remarkable. You've got Sid, who's done incredible things over his career. Honestly, I don't know if I can pinpoint one guy. Everyone is so unique in their own way. McDavid encompasses a lot of it."Notice anything about the quote? No mention of Matthews.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803110/cropped_GettyImages-2215572928.jpg?ts=1758984659" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803110/w220xh124_GettyImages-2215572928.jpg?ts=1758984659 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803110/w320xh180_GettyImages-2215572928.jpg?ts=1758984659 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803110/w640xh360_GettyImages-2215572928.jpg?ts=1758984659 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803110/w768xh432_GettyImages-2215572928.jpg?ts=1758984659 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803110/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2215572928.jpg?ts=1758984659 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Mark Blinch / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Wolf wasn't alone in leaving the Maple Leafs captain out of the discussion. In fact, not a single player uttered his name - not even at the end of a long list.The omission is noteworthy for a few reasons. One, Matthews is arguably the greatest goal-scorer in the game today, and scoring goals is the hardest thing to do in hockey. Two, the 2023-24 Selke finalist also boasts a well-rounded skill set. Three, the Arizona native led our 2022 second-best player survey (which included 11 other participants) with four full votes and two partial votes.At the time, Matthews was fresh off scoring 60 goals in 73 games. He then potted 40 in 74 contests in 2022-23, a spectacular 69 in 81 in '23-24, and 33 in 67 last season. The game count is key context, given Matthews' injury history. Toronto's postseason struggles surely aren't helping his stock, either.All of that said, it wouldn't be shocking if Matthews got more love in the No. 2 debate next year. He's a prodigious sniper and, with premier passer Mitch Marner no longer by his side, producing a high goal total would be persuasive.<h3>Old-man Crosby's still got it!</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803144/cropped_GettyImages-2208648007.jpg?ts=1758996042" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803144/w220xh124_GettyImages-2208648007.jpg?ts=1758996042 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803144/w320xh180_GettyImages-2208648007.jpg?ts=1758996042 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803144/w640xh360_GettyImages-2208648007.jpg?ts=1758996042 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803144/w768xh432_GettyImages-2208648007.jpg?ts=1758996042 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803144/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2208648007.jpg?ts=1758996042 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Joe Sargent / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Crosby didn't receive any full votes, but he got name-dropped a few times.He's 38, about to start his 21st season, and still holds a special place in the hearts of NHLers. He's been the north star for multiple generations - millennials first, Gen Zers now - and remains supremely effective on the ice.Crosby banked a record 20th point-per-game season last year despite playing for a rebuilding Penguins that finished tied for 24th in the standings."Sid's the bar in our league, not just as a player but as an ambassador for the NHL," 35-year-old Kraken forward Jordan Eberle said. "The way he goes about his business - as a human, as a professional - every kid should look up to that example and strive toward that.""Generational talent," Eberle added. "He's going to be on the Mount Rushmore of hockey."Seth Jarvis, 23, grew up watching Crosby. Now they're Team Canada teammates."They always say, 'You don't want to meet your heroes.' But I'm so happy I got to meet him because he is the best person," the Hurricanes forward said of interactions at the 4 Nations Face-Off and Olympic orientation camp.<h3>Barkov receives obligatory shoutout</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/787903/cropped_GettyImages-2159111509.jpg?ts=1758998216" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/787903/w220xh124_GettyImages-2159111509.jpg?ts=1758998216 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/787903/w320xh180_GettyImages-2159111509.jpg?ts=1758998216 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/787903/w640xh360_GettyImages-2159111509.jpg?ts=1758998216 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/787903/w768xh432_GettyImages-2159111509.jpg?ts=1758998216 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/787903/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2159111509.jpg?ts=1758998216 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Elsa / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Barkov will miss <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3354388" href="https://thescore.com/news/3354388">seven-to-nine months</a> as he recovers from knee surgery. It's devastating news. The proud Finn won't be representing his country at the Olympics and is out of the Panthers' lineup for at least the regular season.Weeks before Barkov went down with the injury last Thursday, Ducks goalie Lukas Dostal picked him as the world's second-best player - well, sort of."It's very hard to put someone No. 2," Dostal said. "But if you would ask me, 'Who's the most underrated player?' I would say Sasha Barkov. The fans, they look at the points and all that, but the impact he has (on) the game (is enormous). And what he has done in Florida is just unbelievable."Barkov has his fingerprints all over three straight Cup Final appearances. He's the NHL's consensus best defensive forward, strong and rangy, and elite at so many nuanced parts of the game. For instance, countless players over the years have marvelled at how good Barkov is at knocking pucks out of the air."When I skated with him, I had to focus 100% or he's going to beat you," Dostal said of offseason skates in Finland. "That's just the fact. He's so good in tight. People don't even realize how good he is."John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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Who's the second-best player in the NHL? A group of NHLers chime in

The puck drops on the 2025-26 NHL season in less than two weeks, which means we're about six week...

The puck drops on the 2025-26 NHL season in less than two weeks, which means we're about six weeks from the hockey world fixating on a select group of players levelling up. Who's poised to break out in a big way? Who will become this year's Jackson LaCombe or Nick Suzuki? Below, we predict two types of breakout candidates: players who will jump from "OK" to "good" (like LaCombe) and players who will jump from "good" to "great" (like Suzuki).<h3>Zack Bolduc, Canadiens</h3>Type of breakout: OK to goodBolduc authored one of the finest late-season performances in the NHL - 13 goals in 26 games following the 4 Nations Face-Off to cap an impressive rookie campaign. The Canadiens were clearly watching closely. In July, they acquired Bolduc from the Blues for fellow 2022 first-round draft pick Logan Mailloux.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Bolduc brings a hard-nosed element to Montreal's forward group as a speedy, forecheck-loving winger. He can slot anywhere in the lineup at five-on-five and assume the bumper role on the power play. Armed with a bullet of a shot, Bolduc was a prolific sniper in junior and has so far been efficient in the NHL, scoring on 15.2% of his shots on goal through 97 games.The most revealing bit from his statistical profile: St. Louis outscored the opposition 38-20 last season when Bolduc was on the ice at five-on-five.<h3>Dylan Guenther, Mammoth</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802729/cropped_GettyImages-2204650836.jpg?ts=1758735230" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802729/w220xh124_GettyImages-2204650836.jpg?ts=1758735230 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802729/w320xh180_GettyImages-2204650836.jpg?ts=1758735230 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802729/w640xh360_GettyImages-2204650836.jpg?ts=1758735230 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802729/w768xh432_GettyImages-2204650836.jpg?ts=1758735230 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802729/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2204650836.jpg?ts=1758735230 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jamie Sabau / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Type of breakout: Good to greatGuenther is a thoroughbred sniper. His release is lightning quick and deceptive. He's capable of getting "lost" in coverage and is always the first to backcheck if things go awry - in other words, a playmaker's dream. He lives to score goals.Appropriately nicknamed "Gunner," the right-shot winger missed 12 contests last year. The injury killed some of Guenther's momentum, but he still managed to lead the Mammoth in game-winning goals (nine) and power-play goals (12), and he finished second in total goals (27) and shots on goal (204).Guenther, 22, and center Logan Cooley have chemistry. JJ Peterka, acquired in the offseason, could become the third member of an explosive young line.While Utah's supporters and hardcore NHL fans elsewhere are well aware of Guenther's tantalizing skill set and sky-high ceiling as a player, the 2025-26 season could be his official mainstream coming-out party. Forty goals?<h3>Lian Bichsel, Stars</h3>Type of breakout: OK to goodBichsel, listed at 6-foot-7 and 231 pounds, loves laying the body and is happy to absorb a check to make a play. Among 221 defensemen who logged 500-plus minutes last season, he finished first in hits delivered per 60 minutes of action and second in hits received per 60.Make no mistake, the Swiss blue-liner won't post eye-popping point totals during his career. He's a shutdown defenseman, full stop. However, Bichsel is mobile for his size and can move the puck well enough to hold his own in key situations.Dallas' back end has defined tiers right now: Miro Heiskanen and Thomas Harley in Tier 1, Esa Lindell in Tier 2, and Ilya Lyubushkin, Nils Lundkvist, and Bichsel in Tier 3. It'd be surprising if Bichsel, who's impressed the club through 56 NHL games, doesn't level up to Tier 2 by season's end.<h3>Jake Sanderson, Senators</h3>Type of breakout: Good to greatName a metric that captures the nuances of the defenseman position, and there's a good chance Sanderson finished last campaign in the top 25, if not top 10, in the entire league. The 23-year-old workhorse controls the game with spectacular skating ability, next-level smarts, and an extremely active stick.Sanderson's approaching Jaccob Slavin-level defensive dominance but actually has better offensive tools. (The Senator tied for 10th in total points and had the second-most power-play points among defensemen in 2024-25.)Sanderson demanded the hockey world's attention with a strong performance in two games at the 4 Nations, and, despite stiff competition, will challenge for a spot on Team USA's Olympic squad. Trip to Milan or not, expect him to be in the middle of the Norris Trophy conversation for years to come. He's that automatic.<h3>Will Cuylle, Rangers</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802731/cropped_GettyImages-2194542111.jpg?ts=1758735450" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802731/w220xh124_GettyImages-2194542111.jpg?ts=1758735450 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802731/w320xh180_GettyImages-2194542111.jpg?ts=1758735450 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802731/w640xh360_GettyImages-2194542111.jpg?ts=1758735450 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802731/w768xh432_GettyImages-2194542111.jpg?ts=1758735450 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802731/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2194542111.jpg?ts=1758735450 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Type of breakout: OK to goodCuylle, 23, broke out to some extent last season by compiling 45 points in 82 games as a sophomore. In fact, he was the only NHLer to bag 20 goals and issue 300 hits. What a player - and he has at least one more gear to reach.Chris Kreider is no longer a Ranger following a June trade to Anaheim, which means Cuylle will be in the spotlight moving forward. He now occupies a premium winger spot at even strength and is the main net-front guy on the power play.Cuylle can be the New York version of Toronto's Matthew Knies. Both have linebacker size and strength, excel along the walls in all three zones, and can alternate between retrieving pucks and finishing scoring chances.<h3>Macklin Celebrini, Sharks</h3>Type of breakout: Good to greatCelebrini finished third in Calder Trophy voting last season, partly because the surface-level narrative wasn't overly compelling. He sat out a chunk of games due to injury, the Sharks missed the playoffs by 44 points, and his raw production - 63 points in 70 games - was noteworthy but not mind-blowing.Shift to shift, though, Celebrini looked phenomenal. He won the third-most puck battles in the NHL, generated scoring chances at an exceptionally high rate, and consistently transported the puck safely from zone to zone.Celebrini, now 19, simultaneously resembled a 10-year All-Star (with a polished game) and a rookie (just getting started). He's on the cusp of superstardom."He's really hungry. You could see last year. As the season went on, he got better and better," Penguins great Sidney Crosby said in early September.Crosby got to know Celebrini at the 2025 world championships in May and the Olympic orientation camp in August. He then invited the youngster and his San Jose teammate, Will Smith, to Nova Scotia for a few days of private training."He's even better than he was at worlds, (improving greatly) even over a couple of months," Crosby said of those on-ice sessions out east.<h3>Jake Neighbours, Blues</h3>Type of breakout: OK to goodNeighbours, a shoot-first winger, scored a combined 49 goals over the past two regular seasons. He put up six points in his first seven playoff games this spring as the Blues lost to the Jets in the opening round. Neighbours' name surfaced in offseason trade rumors, firing up Sabres fans about the possibility of him being a key piece in a move that would send Bowen Byram to St. Louis.Is the first 30-goal campaign of Neighbours' young career next?Like Cuylle, Neighbours possesses an enviable mix of size, strength, and skill that coaches drool over and star players - in this case, No. 1 center Robert Thomas - crave in a linemate. He's good at leveraging his thick frame (6-foot, 201 pounds) to get high-quality puck touches in and around the opposing net.<h3>Lukas Dostal, Ducks</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802732/cropped_GettyImages-2210019422.jpg?ts=1758735605" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802732/w220xh124_GettyImages-2210019422.jpg?ts=1758735605 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802732/w320xh180_GettyImages-2210019422.jpg?ts=1758735605 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802732/w640xh360_GettyImages-2210019422.jpg?ts=1758735605 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802732/w768xh432_GettyImages-2210019422.jpg?ts=1758735605 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802732/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2210019422.jpg?ts=1758735605 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Ellen Schmidt / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Type of breakout: Good to greatDostal is just 25, but he's already proven he can be a reliable No. 1 goalie. His league-wide stock would be much higher if he played in a Canadian market.Dostal had an underrated 2024-25, ranking ninth in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes among netminders with 40 or more appearances. The Czech native's 0.40 GSAE/60 rate was right behind Dustin Wolf, Igor Shesterkin, and Linus Ullmark. What's more, no goalie "stole" more games over the course of the season than Dostal. (A steal, according to Sportlogiq, is awarded to a goalie when his GSAE value is the difference in the game's final score. Dostal and Filip Gustavsson of the Wild each recorded nine).Veteran John Gibson's departure is another reason to keep an eye on Dostal. The Ducks, who are on the upswing, fully believe in their guy. Dostal's entering the first season of a five-year extension paying him $32.5 million.<h3>Mackie Samoskevich, Panthers</h3>Type of breakout: OK to goodSamoskevich checks off key boxes of a breakout player.Coming off a quietly productive season - check. The sharp-shooting winger posted 15 goals, including five game-winners, and 16 assists for a 31-point first full season. Logging only 13:19 a night over 72 games, Samoskevich's 0.94 goals per 60 minutes ranked fourth among all Panthers.Starting the new campaign in an elevated role - check. Matthew Tkachuk is expected to be sidelined until December, so the Panthers need Samoskevich to fill a top-six spot at even strength. He'll also get a look on the power play.Playing for a raise - check. Samoskevich, 22, signed a one-year, $775,000 extension in July to help keep the band together in Florida. His next deal won't be so team-friendly if his play and numbers continue to trend upward.<h3>Dylan Samberg, Jets</h3>Type of breakout: Good to greatSamberg, a late bloomer, is the oldest player on this list and also plays the least sexy brand of hockey. That said, he blossomed into a needle-moving shutdown defender last season and surely has more to give in Winnipeg.Samberg, 26, is a master of the finer details - controlling gaps, blocking shots, angling at the blue lines, killing plays with his stick - that lead to strong results in rush and net-front defense. He logged the fourth-most minutes among Jets defensemen in 2024-25 while skating alongside childhood buddy Neal Pionk on the second pair. In July, he inked a three-year contract extension.Can Samberg develop a meaningful offensive game? Can he close the gap between him and top dog Josh Morrissey, as far as role and overall impact?John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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10 young NHLers poised to break out in a big way in 2025-26

Sidney Crosby's future - specifically, whether he's open to leaving the Penguins one day - was at...

Sidney Crosby's future - specifically, whether he's open to leaving the Penguins one day - was at the heart of multiple news cycles earlier in September.<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3341758" href="https://thescore.com/news/3341758">The first one</a> followed a comment from Crosby's agent, Pat Brisson, who said a late-career trade is "always a possibility." Then Crosby himself <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3346318" href="https://thescore.com/news/3346318">stated</a> Pittsburgh is "where I want to be."But how will Crosby - who absolutely despises losing - feel when the rebuilding Penguins are more or less out of playoff contention by December? The 38-year-old, who's under contract through 2026-27, controls his future thanks to a no-movement clause. He's earned unparalleled respect as a generational player also known for being a class act. This is his choice.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802713/cropped_GettyImages-2203472065.jpg?ts=1758726467" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802713/w220xh124_GettyImages-2203472065.jpg?ts=1758726467 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802713/w320xh180_GettyImages-2203472065.jpg?ts=1758726467 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802713/w640xh360_GettyImages-2203472065.jpg?ts=1758726467 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802713/w768xh432_GettyImages-2203472065.jpg?ts=1758726467 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802713/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2203472065.jpg?ts=1758726467 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Michael Martin / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>I personally find it difficult to even imagine Crosby in a different No. 87 uniform. We assumed for the longest time that he'd be a one-team player.Then again, circumstances change. An elite athlete's career, even one as prosperous as Crosby's, is rarely as long as the athlete wants it to be. What-ifs can become more compelling when the end approaches. If Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, and other all-timers can make late-career pivots, why not Crosby?The main reason Crosby would leave Pittsburgh midseason, next offseason, during the 2026-27 campaign, or in free agency is to chase a fourth Stanley Cup. He also cares about his public image and the history of the game, so his list of preferred destinations would probably be shorter than most players'.Here are five teams, ordered from most likely to least likely, that make sense:Avalanche: Stanley Cup contender. Fellow Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, native and close friend Nathan MacKinnon would make for a dream running mate.Canadiens: Childhood team. Original Six franchise. Ascendant young core.Oilers: Lure of playing with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. (Sub in McDavid's new NHL city if the best player in the world leaves the Oilers.)Panthers: Cup contender working on dynasty status. Model franchise.Golden Knights: Somehow, some way, they're in on virtually every high-profile player.<h3>No. 1 Schaefer's unique situation </h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802714/cropped_GettyImages-2222536258.jpg?ts=1758726711" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802714/w220xh124_GettyImages-2222536258.jpg?ts=1758726711 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802714/w320xh180_GettyImages-2222536258.jpg?ts=1758726711 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802714/w640xh360_GettyImages-2222536258.jpg?ts=1758726711 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802714/w768xh432_GettyImages-2222536258.jpg?ts=1758726711 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802714/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2222536258.jpg?ts=1758726711 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Juan Ocampo / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Erik Johnson and Owen Power are the only first overall picks since 2000 to have spent the season directly following the draft in a league below the NHL.There's an outside chance Matthew Schaefer - the Islanders' new franchise cornerstone who turned 18 just a few weeks ago - could join them. His situation is unique and layered.Johnson and Power, defensemen like Schaefer, both opted to play in the NCAA, where the competition is pro-like and a light game schedule allows for extra time in the weight room. Schaefer became ineligible for college hockey after he signed his entry-level NHL contract. He can't suit up in the AHL because players drafted out of Canadian junior - Schaefer starred for the OHL's Erie Otters the past two seasons - are currently ineligible as teenagers.Schaefer has two options: NHL or OHL. The intelligent two-way blue-liner with a gorgeous skating stride turned heads in his first preseason game Sunday, recording an assist and five shots on goal while logging nearly 25 minutes. Islanders coach Patrick Roy gushed to reporters about Schaefer's debut, labeling one <a href="https://x.com/Aj_piazza31/status/1970197869316726950">backchecking sequence</a> in overtime "out of this world.""He's going to be one of, if not the best defenseman in the league - I think, at some point, just based off of his instincts right now," Isles forward Mat Barzal said prior to the 3-2 shootout loss to the Flyers.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802700/cropped_GettyImages-2236633962.jpg?ts=1758721329" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802700/w220xh124_GettyImages-2236633962.jpg?ts=1758721329 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802700/w320xh180_GettyImages-2236633962.jpg?ts=1758721329 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802700/w640xh360_GettyImages-2236633962.jpg?ts=1758721329 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802700/w768xh432_GettyImages-2236633962.jpg?ts=1758721329 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802700/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2236633962.jpg?ts=1758721329 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bruce Bennett / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Schaefer's early game tape and the praise from within the organization suggest he'll stick with the Isles for the full season. At worst, he's earned a handful of regular-season games.But there's still a chance the Isles make the safer choice and return him to the Otters at some point. Unlike most top prospects coming out of junior, Schaefer doesn't have a dominant season under his belt. He played only 17 OHL games last year after suffering an injury at the world juniors. He needs game reps, and he'd be able to assert himself in a way that's impossible at the NHL level.Schaefer playing in the OHL could hurt the Isles in the short term but help in the long run. New York's better off claiming premium draft lottery odds than scratching and clawing all year just to finish 10th in the Eastern Conference.<h3>Bruins searching for 'perfect triangle' 2.0</h3>Charlie McAvoy thinks the 2025-26 Bruins are "a playoff team every day." Sportsbooks disagree. Boston's over-under for points <a href="https://thescore.bet/sport/hockey/organization/united-states/competition/nhl/section/team-points">sits at 80.5</a>, largely due to a lack of depth. The lineup thins out quickly - it's McAvoy, David Pastrnak, Jeremy Swayman, Hampus Lindholm, and then a bunch of dudes.This transitional season will involve a reset behind the scenes.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802398/cropped_GettyImages-2178818834.jpg?ts=1758558093" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802398/w220xh124_GettyImages-2178818834.jpg?ts=1758558093 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802398/w320xh180_GettyImages-2178818834.jpg?ts=1758558093 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802398/w640xh360_GettyImages-2178818834.jpg?ts=1758558093 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802398/w768xh432_GettyImages-2178818834.jpg?ts=1758558093 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802398/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2178818834.jpg?ts=1758558093 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Matthew Stockman / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Boston and San Jose are the only NHL teams without a captain. The Bruins might go all season without naming a successor to Brad Marchand (who took over for Patrice Bergeron in 2023, who took over for Zdeno Chara in 2021). But if someone's going to get the "C," it's either McAvoy, 27, or Pastrnak, 29.McAvoy said earlier in September that recalibrating the culture is the Bruins' "biggest objective" right now. Pastrnak is the only player still around from McAvoy's NHL debut in the 2017 playoffs, while Marco Sturm is now running the bench. The German is the fifth head coach of Pastrnak's NHL career and McAvoy's fourth."Me and Pasta aren't Bergy or Z or Marchy," McAvoy said at the NHL/NHLPA player media tour in Las Vegas. "How am I going to help him and how is he going to help me, as we lead? Because those three had the perfect triangle."He explained, "Z leaned on Bergy to do A, B, and C. When that didn't work, he leaned on Marchy to do it. Then Marchy would go back to them. The way they (led) - what they had in place (in complementing each other) - was so special. That doesn't just happen."<h3>Dubois on living the 'no bucket' life</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802422/cropped_GettyImages-1244976811.jpg?ts=1758567190" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802422/w220xh124_GettyImages-1244976811.jpg?ts=1758567190 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802422/w320xh180_GettyImages-1244976811.jpg?ts=1758567190 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802422/w640xh360_GettyImages-1244976811.jpg?ts=1758567190 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802422/w768xh432_GettyImages-1244976811.jpg?ts=1758567190 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802422/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1244976811.jpg?ts=1758567190 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jonathan Kozub / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The NHL player pool is split into two groups: those who entered the league in or before 2018-19 and thus aren't required to wear a helmet in pregame warmup, and those who entered in or after 2019-20 and must wear a helmet.Going "no bucket" is dangerous - hence the helmet mandate, which took effect in fall 2023. Even so, it's a quirk veterans take pleasure in. Capitals forward Pierre-Luc Dubois says warming up with your face fully exposed, your manicured hair on display, and pucks flying around can be a real "rush." You feel cool - Hollywood cool. And your senses are heightened."I feel alive and awake," he said before listing off the associated hazards. "You can't go behind the net. You can't (get caught skating at a) bad angle. You always have to be on the lookout for anything. You don't want to fall."Going bucketless apparently also adds a fear factor for opponents. Dubois, who debuted in 2017-18, recalls shooting a glance at the other end of the ice during warmup versus the '17-18 Kings and realizing the next 60 minutes wouldn't be easy."There's like 14 guys without a helmet," he laughed. "I was like, 'This is so intimidating.' I'm 19 years old and these guys have won Cups. They're huge. They have no helmets. They have no teeth. They just look so scary."<h3>New CBA takes better care of alumni</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802682/cropped_GettyImages-1462747061.jpg?ts=1758714010" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802682/w220xh124_GettyImages-1462747061.jpg?ts=1758714010 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802682/w320xh180_GettyImages-1462747061.jpg?ts=1758714010 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802682/w640xh360_GettyImages-1462747061.jpg?ts=1758714010 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802682/w768xh432_GettyImages-1462747061.jpg?ts=1758714010 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802682/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1462747061.jpg?ts=1758714010 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Chase Agnello-Dean / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The newly signed collective bargaining agreement includes a playoff salary cap, player-friendly dress code, mandatory neck protection, 84 regular-season games, and other <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3347318" href="https://thescore.com/news/3347318">headline-grabbing items</a>. One element isn't getting a ton of attention but is extremely important: vastly improved health benefits for alumni.The league and the players' association will contribute a combined $4 million annually to the Retired Players Emergency Healthcare and Wellness Fund. The program will help the NHL Alumni Association be more proactive, not reactive like it's been in the past when trying to help a member experiencing a health crisis."This is groundbreaking. This is Christmas Day for us," NHLAA executive director and former NHL goalie Glenn Healy said at the player media tour.Among the benefits: players who have "played one shift or 10,000 games" will have access to a family doctor and mental health professional, Healy said.One of Healy's favorite sayings is "short career, long life." Whatever's going on in retirement - health issue, tax issue, family issue - the association will help the ex-player, who probably didn't make millions of dollars, navigate it."It’s a unique brotherhood," Healy said.<h3>Quick hits</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802425/cropped_GettyImages-2209376261.jpg?ts=1758568361" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802425/w220xh124_GettyImages-2209376261.jpg?ts=1758568361 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802425/w320xh180_GettyImages-2209376261.jpg?ts=1758568361 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802425/w640xh360_GettyImages-2209376261.jpg?ts=1758568361 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802425/w768xh432_GettyImages-2209376261.jpg?ts=1758568361 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802425/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2209376261.jpg?ts=1758568361 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Kirk Irwin / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Colorado's ceiling: The Avalanche were without impact forwards Artturi Lehkonen (injury) and Valeri Nichushkin (suspension) for the first month of 2024-25, while captain Gabriel Landeskog (career-threatening injury) didn't return to the lineup until the third game of the playoffs. Management also turned over a third of the roster midseason, most notably swapping superstar Mikko Rantanen for Martin Necas, Jack Drury, and draft picks. The chaos has subsided following a quiet offseason and normal training camp - "There's no question marks with anything," stud defenseman Cale Makar pointed out recently - so now we wait to see what this revamped, settled-in version of Colorado can accomplish. MacKinnon's suddenly 30 years old and Makar's already 26. The Avalanche have made the playoffs in eight straight seasons but advanced past the second round just once - in 2022, when they won the Cup.Panthers' grind: It's tempting to pencil in Florida as a top-three team in the Atlantic Division. The Panthers have been the NHL's alpha-dog franchise for the past few years and are running it back with roughly the same roster. But expectations around the regular season should be tempered. How about an Eastern Conference wild card? Think about it: The Panthers will not only be feeling the wear and tear of three straight trips to the Cup Final but also the effects of the Olympics. Matthew Tkachuk (USA), Sam Reinhart (Canada), Aleksander Barkov (Finland), Nico Sturm (Germany), and Uvis Balinskis (Latvia) have already been named to a roster. A handful of other Panthers are in contention for spots. And the whole group faces a stiff test before the break, as Florida plays 16 games - including 11 on the road! - from Jan. 5 to Feb. 6.Future of the cap: After a decade of zero-to-limited year-over-year growth, the salary cap is trending up. It jumped from $87.7 million in 2024-25 to $95 million this season and is expected to increase to $104 million in 2026-27 and $113.5 million in 2027-28. This is great for players. Behind the scenes, however, front offices are wondering when the have/have-not era will begin. The "haves" in this context are high-revenue clubs willing to spend to the upper limit no matter the number, while the "have-nots" are budget teams that will hit an internal ceiling sooner than later. One assistant general manager told theScore he's bracing for league dynamics to shift in 2027-28. He believes that will be the first season in which about a third of the league's ownership groups - including his own - will tell their respective front offices to get extra creative and frugal because they won't be able to spend to the cap.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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Imagining Crosby elsewhere, Schaefer's unique spot, and 6 other NHL items

The 2026 Olympics are five months away, with the 12-team men's hockey tournament scheduled for Fe...

The 2026 Olympics are five months away, with the 12-team men's hockey tournament scheduled for Feb. 11-22 in Milan, Italy. Countries announced <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3300782" href="https://thescore.com/news/3300782">six roster selections</a> each in June and will name their final 19 players in January. Here are a handful of Olympic storylines to monitor as the NHL season nears.<h3>Goalie spots (should be) flexible</h3>Goaltending is arguably the most volatile position in sports. Nobodies become somebodies within weeks, and proven stars falter for months on end. Each country should take an open-minded approach to the selection process.Just because Jordan Binnington, Adin Hill, and Sam Montembeault represented Canada at the recent 4 Nations Face-Off doesn't mean all three automatically deserve an Olympic spot. Darcy Kuemper posted the best numbers among Canadian goalies in 2024-25 - 30 goals saved above expected, according to Sportlogiq, and a .922 save percentage in 50 games. He should be strongly considered along with Mackenzie Blackwood (first full season in Colorado) and Logan Thompson (rising role in Washington).<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801901/cropped_GettyImages-2215411915.jpg?ts=1758291514" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801901/w220xh124_GettyImages-2215411915.jpg?ts=1758291514 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801901/w320xh180_GettyImages-2215411915.jpg?ts=1758291514 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801901/w640xh360_GettyImages-2215411915.jpg?ts=1758291514 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801901/w768xh432_GettyImages-2215411915.jpg?ts=1758291514 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801901/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2215411915.jpg?ts=1758291514 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bruce Bennett / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The U.S. net is Connor Hellebuyck's to lose, for sure. But let's use pencil, not ink, to write the reigning Hart Trophy winner's name next to "starter." Jake Oettinger or Jeremy Swayman could get hot and look better suited for top duty by February. Thatcher Demko's proven he can stop pucks at a Vezina-caliber level when healthy; can he earn the No. 2 or 3 spot? Others with long-shot odds: Joey Daccord, John Gibson, Dustin Wolf, and Anthony Stolarz.Jacob Markstrom is Sweden's starter on paper, but Linus Ullmark and Filip Gustavsson are fully capable of outplaying him before rosters are finalized.There should be some kind of competition in Finland, too, even though Juuse Saros has already been named to the roster. He's coming off a subpar campaign in Nashville, while countrymen Kevin Lankinen (Year 1 of a five-year deal) and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (aged just 26) are both on the upswing.<h3>Sizing up Canada's returnees</h3>Canada's roster for the Sochi Olympics featured 25 players. More than a decade later, only seven of them continue to play in the NHL: Sidney Crosby, Drew Doughty, John Tavares, Jamie Benn, Corey Perry, Matt Duchene, and Jonathan Toews. (Technically, Alex Pietrangelo and Marc-Edouard Vlasic are active NHLers. Practically, though, both are retired).Among the active seven, one's already been named to the 2026 team (Crosby), one's a strong contender for a spot (Doughty), one's a long shot (Tavares), and four aren't even on the radar (Benn, Perry, Duchene, Toews).What a difference 12 years makes.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801947/cropped_GettyImages-2231665043.jpg?ts=1758312673" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801947/w220xh124_GettyImages-2231665043.jpg?ts=1758312673 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801947/w320xh180_GettyImages-2231665043.jpg?ts=1758312673 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801947/w640xh360_GettyImages-2231665043.jpg?ts=1758312673 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801947/w768xh432_GettyImages-2231665043.jpg?ts=1758312673 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801947/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2231665043.jpg?ts=1758312673 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Leah Hennel / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Crosby, 38, is the most consistently brilliant player of all time (a point per game or better in each of his 20 seasons!). So it's safe to assume No. 87 will maintain an at least borderline elite level of play in the lead-up to Milan.But does Father Time come for Doughty, who turns 36 in December? Or Marchand, 37? Or Mark Stone, another Canadian hopeful, who's 33 but has already dealt with many serious injuries? Will one, two, or all three fall off to the point where they can't crack Canada's roster?<h3>Young studs and USA's blue line</h3>Canada, the U.S., and Sweden all have an abundance of talent on the blue line. Each nation has a case for the best defense corps in the tournament. As for which country has the finest crop of up-and-coming D-men, it's USA all day.A quick breakdown of general manager Bill Guerin's options: Quinn Hughes and Charlie McAvoy were already named to the team, while Jaccob Slavin and Zach Werenski are locks, barring injury. Filling out the final four blue-line spots won't be easy, although Brock Faber and Jake Sanderson - both 23 - have the inside track on two of them. Mid-career guys Adam Fox, Noah Hanifin, and Seth Jones will be in the hunt as well.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801928/cropped_GettyImages-2212812027.jpg?ts=1758305044" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801928/w220xh124_GettyImages-2212812027.jpg?ts=1758305044 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801928/w320xh180_GettyImages-2212812027.jpg?ts=1758305044 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801928/w640xh360_GettyImages-2212812027.jpg?ts=1758305044 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801928/w768xh432_GettyImages-2212812027.jpg?ts=1758305044 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801928/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2212812027.jpg?ts=1758305044 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Scott Taetsch / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>From there, there's roughly a dozen dark-horse candidates - including some youngsters with upside - who could force management's hand by performing exceptionally well in the early stages of 2025-26. Luke Hughes, Lane Hutson, Jackson LaCombe, and Alex Vlasic are all 21-24 years old, and there's a non-zero chance one of them gets picked as the eighth defenseman.Warning: USA will have an absolutely stacked blue line at the 2030 Olympics.<h3>GM-player familiarity factor</h3>Robert Thomas is a classic bubble player. The Blues forward deserves to play in a best-on-best tournament because he's an above-average first-line center in the NHL. Yet he's far from a slam-dunk pick for Canada since the group of managers filling out the roster has so many equivalent or better options.No executive knows Thomas better as a player or person than Canada GM Doug Armstrong. He scouted Thomas in 2016, drafted the Aurora, Ontario, native 20th overall in 2017, and watched the cerebral two-way playmaker grow into an impact player.This all seems advantageous for Thomas. But sometimes a special kind of bias can emerge from such closeness. The GM knows the player's flaws and limitations and may be scarred by a few underwhelming performances. (That said, St. Louis' Binnington and Colton Parayko suited up for Canada at 4 Nations, so clearly Armstrong isn't opposed to taking his own players.)The same logic can be applied to Team USA. Bill Guerin is also GM of the Wild. He knows Faber and Matt Boldy extremely well - the good and the bad.<h3>Matthew Tkachuk's bounce back</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801948/cropped_GettyImages-2200092824.jpg?ts=1758312784" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801948/w220xh124_GettyImages-2200092824.jpg?ts=1758312784 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801948/w320xh180_GettyImages-2200092824.jpg?ts=1758312784 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801948/w640xh360_GettyImages-2200092824.jpg?ts=1758312784 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801948/w768xh432_GettyImages-2200092824.jpg?ts=1758312784 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801948/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2200092824.jpg?ts=1758312784 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Matthew Tkachuk missed the back half of the 2024-25 regular season after tearing his adductor muscle and suffering a sports hernia injury at 4 Nations. He returned to the Panthers' lineup in the playoffs and contributed 23 points in 23 games en route to the franchise's second consecutive Stanley Cup.Tkachuk, one of the faces and top leaders of American hockey, will be sidelined to start the coming season as he recovers from offseason surgery. He likely won't see action until at least December, Panthers GM Bill Zito <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3347489" href="https://thescore.com/news/3347489">said</a>.Tkachuk was one of USA's original six selections, so the agitating winger's roster spot is secure, but it's worth monitoring how he looks after the layoff. Do we see him at the peak of his playmaking powers despite a relatively short runway, or does he still not quite seem like himself heading into the Olympics?On paper, Tkachuk is a top-six presence for the United States, as he was at 4 Nations. But he could theoretically get pushed down the lineup due to somebody else's stellar first half of the season. The USA, after all, has enviable depth at forward.<h3>Laine Watch is on in Montreal</h3>The first thing that jumps out from Finland's projected roster is the steep drop-off on defense after Miro Heiskanen. The second thing: Damn, that's a nice group of forwards! The third: Yeah, OK, but who's going to score?<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801951/cropped_GettyImages-2200244994.jpg?ts=1758312898" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801951/w220xh124_GettyImages-2200244994.jpg?ts=1758312898 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801951/w320xh180_GettyImages-2200244994.jpg?ts=1758312898 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801951/w640xh360_GettyImages-2200244994.jpg?ts=1758312898 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801951/w768xh432_GettyImages-2200244994.jpg?ts=1758312898 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801951/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2200244994.jpg?ts=1758312898 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Chase Agnello-Dean/4NFO / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The Finns have plenty of silky passers and defensive maestros - the incredible Aleksander Barkov fits both descriptions - but their supply of snipers is limited. Mikko Rantanen, Sebastian Aho, Roope Hintz, and Artturi Lehkonen were the only Finns to score 25 or more goals in the NHL last year and none of them reached 35.Enter Patrik Laine, the enigmatic marksman from Tampere. The 27-year-old right-handed winger potted 20 goals, including 15 on the power play, in 52 games for the Canadiens in 2024-25. That would be a 32-goal pace over a full season. His rocket of a shot can be a real weapon. He's a potential X-factor for Finland.That said, Laine's also a wild card who doesn't always deliver on the hype.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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6 Olympic storylines to monitor as NHL season approaches

The collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and the NHL Players' Association outlines the...

The collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and the NHL Players' Association outlines the terms and conditions of employment, as well as the rights of the league, its 32 teams, and the players' union. The latest CBA, ratified in July, will run from Sept. 16, 2026, to Sept. 15, 2030.For fans, it means labor peace - no lockout! - for the next five seasons.For Quinn Hughes, it means the fitness testing he underwent earlier this week to kick off Canucks training camp counts as the last batch of mandated strength and conditioning challenges he'll endure for the foreseeable future. The new CBA includes a ban on fitness testing, which to outsiders may seem like a minor win for the players, but in fact addresses a significant issue.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"I train my ass off all summer, then I get to show that I'm in shape in camp, then I get buried in camp, and then I'm not fresh for the start of the season. The process is so archaic to me," Hughes said last week in Las Vegas."Why wouldn't you want your guys coming out of camp feeling fresh? I need to prove that I'm in shape? I play the most minutes in the league, and I'm going to be tired in camp now because I have to do this bike test to show that I'm in shape even though you know who I am already."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801698/cropped_GettyImages-2202543112.jpg?ts=1758135581" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801698/w220xh124_GettyImages-2202543112.jpg?ts=1758135581 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801698/w320xh180_GettyImages-2202543112.jpg?ts=1758135581 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801698/w640xh360_GettyImages-2202543112.jpg?ts=1758135581 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801698/w768xh432_GettyImages-2202543112.jpg?ts=1758135581 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801698/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2202543112.jpg?ts=1758135581 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Vitor Munhoz / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Hughes was in Vegas for the NHL/NHLPA player media tour, an annual event in which 30-plus NHLers fly to one city to participate in TV commercial shoots, media interviews, and other activities to promote the upcoming season.theScore asked more than a dozen prominent players to list their favorite item in the CBA (spoiler alert: many shared Hughes' disdain for fitness testing) and to answer a fun hypothetical question: If you were commissioner for a day and had absolute power to add, subtract, or tweak a rule, what would it be?Here's what they had to say.<h3>Playoff format and cap</h3>Pierre-Luc Dubois let out a sigh."I've got a lot," the Capitals forward said of his idea bank, flashing a full-toothed grin. "I've got to find which one will get me in less trouble."I like the wild card. I like the concept of that, but I do think that sometimes (the playoff matchups become predictable). The Oilers and the Kings have played in the first round for what feels like 12, 25 years. ... Some people want one-to-eight again. I think that'd be fun."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801686/cropped_GettyImages-2150512316.jpg?ts=1758132135" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801686/w220xh124_GettyImages-2150512316.jpg?ts=1758132135 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801686/w320xh180_GettyImages-2150512316.jpg?ts=1758132135 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801686/w640xh360_GettyImages-2150512316.jpg?ts=1758132135 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801686/w768xh432_GettyImages-2150512316.jpg?ts=1758132135 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801686/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2150512316.jpg?ts=1758132135 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Andy Devlin / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Edmonton and Los Angeles, one of Dubois' former teams, have met in the opening round of the playoffs for four straight years and could very well meet again next spring. The wild-card playoff format, in place since the 2013-14 season, optimizes for divisional matchups. Sometimes, like in the case of the Avalanche and Stars last campaign, it can pit two of the NHL's most stacked teams against each other in Round 1 simply because they share a division."Going one-to-eight in the playoffs," Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim said of his pick, echoing Dubois' wish to return to a format in which the conference's No. 1 seed draws No. 8, No. 2 faces No. 7, and so on."It creates more memorable playoff series if you go one-to-eight," added Red Wings winger Patrick Kane, who won Stanley Cups in 2010, 2013, and 2015.Sanheim, Kane, and Golden Knights star Jack Eichel are among a large group of players not sold on the idea of an expanded playoff field, whether through an NBA-style play-in round or by adding secured spots. Proponents of an expanded field point to untapped revenue and the league's maturation. The NHL has grown from 21 to 32 franchises during the era of 16 playoff teams, and it looks primed to reach 34 clubs (Atlanta? Houston?) in the near future."I'm more of a traditionalist on that," Eichel said. Expanding the field, the center noted, would devalue what's an indisputably gruelling regular season. "I'm a big believer in 'two points in October equal the same as two points in March,'" he said. "Being in the playoffs is a correlation of your entire season.""Sixteen is a good number," Predators defenseman Brady Skjei said. "Right now, half the teams are making it, which is probably fair."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801695/cropped_GettyImages-2205801902.jpg?ts=1758134937" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801695/w220xh124_GettyImages-2205801902.jpg?ts=1758134937 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801695/w320xh180_GettyImages-2205801902.jpg?ts=1758134937 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801695/w640xh360_GettyImages-2205801902.jpg?ts=1758134937 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801695/w768xh432_GettyImages-2205801902.jpg?ts=1758134937 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801695/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2205801902.jpg?ts=1758134937 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Hunter Dyke / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Clayton Keller disagrees. He thinks a play-in round would be "pretty cool.""There's a lot of eyes on that when the NBA does it. It's a huge game, and if you're on that bubble, you have a chance to get in and make some noise," the Mammoth captain said. "Your team could get hot at the right time, and you never know what could happen."However, Keller acknowledged the issue is above his pay grade and something NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has publicly expressed a distaste for.The new CBA features one major change to the postseason landscape. Teams must ice a cap-compliant lineup in the playoffs starting in 2026. Translation: The days of exploiting the long-term injured reserve loophole are over."The playoff salary cap just makes sense to everybody," Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy said. "You shouldn't be able to field a roster that's $20 million over the cap, and I think everybody understood that. If there was a pressing issue that maybe you'd like to see (resolved), like immediately, that was probably the one. So, I think that was a good job by (the NHL and NHLPA)."<h3>Overtime theories</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801706/cropped_GettyImages-2194050464.jpg?ts=1758138757" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801706/w220xh124_GettyImages-2194050464.jpg?ts=1758138757 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801706/w320xh180_GettyImages-2194050464.jpg?ts=1758138757 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801706/w640xh360_GettyImages-2194050464.jpg?ts=1758138757 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801706/w768xh432_GettyImages-2194050464.jpg?ts=1758138757 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801706/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2194050464.jpg?ts=1758138757 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Claus Andersen / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Anybody remember the original shootout setup? Miss it? Jordan Eberle does."I enjoyed the old shootout - when they used to flood the ice down the middle (of the rink) and get a clean sheet. I miss that," the Kraken forward said, recalling the NHL's fix for snowy ice in the early stages of his career in the early 2010s.There isn't a lot Eberle finds endearing about the current shootout experience. The 35-year-old's in favor of extending the three-on-three OT period, like the NHL did for the 4 Nations Face-Off. The move from four-on-four to three-on-three back in 2015 has significantly reduced the number of shootouts. Of the 271 games that required extra time in 2024-25, 194 (or 71.6%) ended in OT."You don't see a lot of fancy, fancy stuff anymore," Eberle said of creativity in shootouts. "Also, it's funny how you can play a really good game - I've been in this spot - and you're the last guy to shoot and miss, and (it's amazing) how crappy you feel. I just wish we went to (a longer) three-on-three."Skjei's on the same wavelength: Extend OT to 10 minutes so the vast majority of games end on a true hockey play. "No more shootouts," Dubois declared. "I think over time, some team is going to score at some point."<h3>Off-ice fit check</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801715/cropped_GettyImages-2219179259.jpg?ts=1758143498" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801715/w220xh124_GettyImages-2219179259.jpg?ts=1758143498 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801715/w320xh180_GettyImages-2219179259.jpg?ts=1758143498 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801715/w640xh360_GettyImages-2219179259.jpg?ts=1758143498 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801715/w768xh432_GettyImages-2219179259.jpg?ts=1758143498 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801715/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2219179259.jpg?ts=1758143498 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Mike Carlson / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Scrapping fitness testing was overdue in the eyes of many surveyed - a decade overdue, Eberle joked. Like Hughes, Seth Jarvis dreads the testing process. Even in Vegas, a full week out from training camp, the Hurricanes forward couldn't get his mind off what was waiting for him back in Carolina."If you know anything about Rod, it's not going to be easy," a smirking Jarvis said of his famously jacked head coach, Brind'Amour.Easing the dress code was another rule change the union pushed hard for during CBA negotiations. According to the memorandum of understanding, "players are required to dress in a manner that is consistent with contemporary fashion norms," but are otherwise free to wear whatever. Effective immediately, teams can't propose or enforce a game-day suit policy."I enjoy wearing a suit," Sabres sniper Tage Thompson said. "But it's one of those things where you see other sports leagues - NFL, NBA - and (it's obvious the casual vibe) allows guys to express their personalities a little bit more. That's something that fans are starving for - that behind-the-scenes look of not just you as an athlete but also you as a person."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801719/cropped_GettyImages-1739274324.jpg?ts=1758144314" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801719/w220xh124_GettyImages-1739274324.jpg?ts=1758144314 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801719/w320xh180_GettyImages-1739274324.jpg?ts=1758144314 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801719/w640xh360_GettyImages-1739274324.jpg?ts=1758144314 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801719/w768xh432_GettyImages-1739274324.jpg?ts=1758144314 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801719/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1739274324.jpg?ts=1758144314 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Darren Clark / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Fans will no doubt see a more relaxed NHLer walking into the arena moving forward. ("If they start letting sweats and sweaters into the rink, I'm going to be all over that," Jarvis said.) That sounds great in theory, but what are these players, especially the veterans, going to do with all of their expensive suits?"Some guys who have been playing 15 years probably have like 50 suits or something crazy," Devils center Jack Hughes remarked before hinting he'll be rotating between the classic hockey-player black suit and less formal wear."We have some guys who have pretty good style. Let 'em loose a little bit," Skjei said of the Preds. "But I won't be one of those guys, I'll tell you that."Athletes are creatures of habit, and habits die hard. "Basically, my whole life, when you get ready for a game, you put on a suit. I think that helps with my mentality going into the game," Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat said.<h3>Calendar, goalies, and alumni</h3>Starting in 2026-27, the NHL regular season will begin earlier (late September) and end earlier (early to mid-June) - a "pretty ideal" calendar, according to Cale Makar. The superstar defenseman noted the absurdity of the Avs' nearly three-month playoff run in 2022. (They hoisted the Cup on June 26!)Sanheim is glad the regular season's moving from 82 to 84 games in '26-27. The blue-liner's rationale: players tend to arrive in their NHL cities in late August for captain's skates, which act as an unofficial start to training camp. But players don't compete in a meaningful game until early October. "I play a lot of minutes, so to go and play four or five preseason games that mean nothing, I'd rather tack it onto the regular season and put my energy into that," Sanheim said.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801730/cropped_GettyImages-2031358826.jpg?ts=1758148502" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801730/w220xh124_GettyImages-2031358826.jpg?ts=1758148502 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801730/w320xh180_GettyImages-2031358826.jpg?ts=1758148502 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801730/w640xh360_GettyImages-2031358826.jpg?ts=1758148502 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801730/w768xh432_GettyImages-2031358826.jpg?ts=1758148502 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801730/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2031358826.jpg?ts=1758148502 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Ben Green / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Jake Oettinger and Linus Ullmark, perhaps unsurprisingly given the uniqueness of the position they play, brought up goaltending-specific issues:<ul>
<li>Dallas' Oettinger loves the professionalization of emergency backup goalies (or EBUGs). Having a third full-time goalie on the team as of '26-27 will reduce the burden on workhorse No. 1s. Starters should be resting late in the season, not facing slap shots in practice.</li>
<li>Ottawa's Ullmark wants better representation in the league's Situation Room in Toronto. Too often, he said, goaltender interference is being judged without the perspective of a former goalie. Like so many fans and media, Ullmark is perplexed by the inconsistency of interference calls.</li>
</ul>Blues forward Robert Thomas provided the most thoughtful take on the new CBA, shouting out improved health and pension benefits for NHL alumni."There were so many guys who did so much for the league and the players in the past," Thomas said. "Trying to continue to make (alumni health) a No. 1 priority moving forward is something that a lot of players feel really good about."John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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Commish for a day: What star players would change about the NHL

Who's feeling the heat? Below is a list of 10 people under supreme pressure ahead of the 2025-26 ...

Who's feeling the heat? Below is a list of 10 people under supreme pressure ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season. It consists of five players, two head coaches, two general managers, and one franchise owner, presented in alphabetical order.<h3>Kevyn Adams</h3>The margin of error is razor-thin for the Sabres and GM Kevyn Adams.Tensions are high in Buffalo as the club tries to snap an NHL-record playoff drought of 14 years. A deep Atlantic Division makes for a crowded path to the postseason. In other words, this could go off the rails quickly for Adams, who's become the main punching bag for a smart, (rightfully) fed up fan base.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Adams recently traded young core pieces Dylan Cozens and JJ Peterka for Josh Norris, Josh Doan, Michael Kesselring, and Jacob Bernard-Docker, who was then replaced by free agent Conor Timmins. Those moves will elicit elation or another round of face-palming in the coming months. It feels like there's no middle ground for a franchise that's finished 31st, 24th, tied for 19th, 22nd, and 26th during Adams' five years in charge.Other important business: The futures of first-line winger Alex Tuch (pending unrestricted free agent) and top-four blue-liner Bowen Byram (trade rumors).<h3>Rasmus Andersson</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801419/cropped_GettyImages-2209898133.jpg?ts=1757954926" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801419/w220xh124_GettyImages-2209898133.jpg?ts=1757954926 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801419/w320xh180_GettyImages-2209898133.jpg?ts=1757954926 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801419/w640xh360_GettyImages-2209898133.jpg?ts=1757954926 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801419/w768xh432_GettyImages-2209898133.jpg?ts=1757954926 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801419/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2209898133.jpg?ts=1757954926 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Leah Hennel / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Andersson's intentions of leaving Calgary are out in the open, and fresh takes on his future seem to hit the rumor mill every other week. It can't be easy for him to fully concentrate while on the ice."The thing that bothers you is fake information that comes out," the 28-year-old Flames defenseman <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/rasmus-andersson-flames-can-co-exist-just-fine-in-contract-year/">told reporters</a> last Tuesday."I saw some reports that I would only sign with one team (Vegas) and this and that. I mean, it couldn't be further from the truth. Me and (Calgary GM Craig Conroy) have had a few conversations over the summer, and I would never handcuff him and give him one team."So, how does the pending UFA start the season? Will Andersson boost his trade value by doing his usual thing - eating minutes and pucks while pitching in offensively in a prominent role on the right side of Calgary's back end? How will he factor into the Swedish national team as it works to solidify an Olympic roster that will rely heavily on D-men performance?Andersson's $4.55-million cap hit won't be overly difficult for a Stanley Cup contender to absorb. The Golden Knights are an obvious fit as a super aggressive team with a gaping hole at RHD now that Alex Pietrangelo is out long term.<h3>Andrew Brunette</h3>Brunette's seat might be the hottest among all 32 head coaches.The Predators were a disaster last season, collecting only 68 points after being crowned winner of the 2024 offseason for reeling in free agents Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei. The offensive attack, a supposed strong suit under Brunette, slumped from 10th in goals scored to 31st and dropped from 12th in expected goals generated to 20th (per Sportlogiq).Brunette, a former Preds player who's entering his third season as bench boss, doesn't deserve all the blame. Management hasn't exactly assembled a Cup-contending roster, and virtually every player on the 2024-25 squad - including star goalie Juuse Saros - had a down year. It's certainly possible, arguably probable, that the pendulum swings in a positive direction in Nashville.If it doesn't, surely GM Barry Trotz will strongly consider a coaching change.<h3>Connor Hellebuyck</h3>The numbers are damning. Hellebuyck, one of the greatest goalies of his generation, is rocking a .918 save percentage through 568 regular-season games. He won the Hart and Vezina trophies last year after posting a .925 during a season in which the league average settled way down at .900. But the longtime Jet's SV% plummets when his team needs him most (.903 in 58 career playoff games, including an ugly .866 mark across 13 games versus St. Louis and Dallas this spring).Hellebuyck tried to adjust on the fly during the 2025 playoffs, and it backfired."I thought maybe I could add something here, tweak something there. That's typical stuff you do during the regular season too," he said during the NHL/NHLPA player media tour in Las Vegas. "But once I did that, I didn't like it. I didn't like the look of the game. I thought I was out of what makes me, me."The upcoming campaign could offer Hellebuyck playoff redemption - or provide another bit of evidence suggesting he simply can't perform under the bright lights. Along with his heavy workload in Winnipeg, the 32-year-old Hellebuyck is the presumptive starting goalie for Team USA at the Olympics, though Jake Oettinger, Jeremy Swayman, and Thatcher Demko are capable of stealing the job.<h3>Craig Leipold </h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801420/cropped_GettyImages-1998843866.jpg?ts=1757955030" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801420/w220xh124_GettyImages-1998843866.jpg?ts=1757955030 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801420/w320xh180_GettyImages-1998843866.jpg?ts=1757955030 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801420/w640xh360_GettyImages-1998843866.jpg?ts=1757955030 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801420/w768xh432_GettyImages-1998843866.jpg?ts=1757955030 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801420/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1998843866.jpg?ts=1757955030 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Leipold, the billionaire owner of the Wild, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3337621" href="https://thescore.com/news/3337621">said</a> in early September that the club and superstar winger Kirill Kaprizov were "not that far off" with regards to hammering out a contract extension. A week later, NHL insider Frank Seravalli <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3342420" href="https://thescore.com/news/3342420">reported</a> that Kaprizov turned down what would've been the richest contract in league history ($128 million over eight seasons).Oh ... OK then.Owners typically aren't directly involved in negotiations, but this is an atypical situation. Leipold's influence looms large because Kaprizov, the best player to ever don a Wild uniform, is clearly testing the team's commitment level. Either the financial stakes will raise enough to sell the Russian on staying or Leipold and GM Bill Guerin pivot. If Kaprizov is intent on testing free agency, the Wild can try to trade him midseason (his current deal includes a no-move clause). They could also keep him and treat 2025-26 as a "last dance" of sorts.The Wild's middling existence complicates the issue. Having missed the playoffs or lost in Round 1 each of the past 10 seasons, they need more game-breaking talents like Kaprizov, not fewer, to truly challenge for a Cup.<h3>Mitch Marner</h3>Without proper context, Marner shouldn't be on this list.With it, he's a no-brainer.The 28-year-old playmaker is coming off a career-high 102 points as well as a strong showing for Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off. He's starting an eight-year, $96-million contract after Vegas acquired him in a June sign-and-trade with Toronto. Marner is no longer at the center of a hockey-mad market or angling for a massive long-term deal.But - and this is a significant but - Marner still needs to slay some demons. Regardless of market size or intensity, the dazzling winger must finally elevate his game late in playoff series. The pressure's on until he breaks through.<h3>Auston Matthews</h3>Matthews' shine has worn off over the past 12 months, with multiple injuries limiting him to 67 games (and 33 goals) in 2024-25 and the Leafs again failing to advance past the second round of the playoffs. Toronto has tallied just two series wins in the captain's nine seasons with the team.If you asked players, coaches, managers, media members, and fans to list the NHL's top five players, Matthews would be left off many ballots despite scoring 69 goals two years ago. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3333617" href="https://thescore.com/news/3333617">As I wrote last week</a>, he's somehow become underrated.Three questions linger: Can Matthews, who's believed to be fully healthy ahead of his 10th NHL season, return to his dominant two-way form in the regular season - without Marner by his side? What impact will No. 34 have on the Olympics as a top-six center on a stacked Team USA? Can Matthews and William Nylander carry Toronto to its first deep playoff run?<h3>Elias Pettersson</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801422/cropped_GettyImages-2206126669.jpg?ts=1757955563" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801422/w220xh124_GettyImages-2206126669.jpg?ts=1757955563 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801422/w320xh180_GettyImages-2206126669.jpg?ts=1757955563 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801422/w640xh360_GettyImages-2206126669.jpg?ts=1757955563 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801422/w768xh432_GettyImages-2206126669.jpg?ts=1757955563 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801422/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2206126669.jpg?ts=1757955563 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Derek Cain / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Pettersson doesn't need to come out of the gate flying. He doesn't have to outproduce ex-teammate J.T. Miller - now in New York after a fallout between the two - or set a new personal best in goals or points. He just needs to show early progress, look like himself again, and ride that momentum.Bounce back - that's all.It sounds like a small ask for a $11.6-million player. And, hey, maybe it is. But being a solid top-line center would be a nice first step toward removing the target from his back in the Vancouver market and beyond. Pettersson is currently a wildly overpaid second-liner, having accumulated 59 points in 84 games since signing an extension in March 2024. Yes, he's a high-end defensive player; however, at that cap hit, he needs to also lead the attack.Quinn Hughes sees a rebound coming: "He's a competitive guy," the Canucks captain said recently. "I don't think he gets that stature (as a highly paid NHLer) without having some intangibles inside you. I've seen it before."<h3>Joel Quenneville</h3>Quenneville last coached in October 2021, resigning from his coaching job with the Panthers in the wake of the Blackhawks' sexual abuse case. The NHL determined Quenneville and other staffers <a href="https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2934557/nhl-reinstates-bowman-quenneville-after-ban-for-their-role-in-blackhawks-assault-scandal">inadequately responded</a> in 2010 to allegations that player Kyle Beach had been assaulted by Chicago's video coach, who reported directly to Quenneville.Reinstated by the league in July 2024, Quenneville was hired in May to run the Ducks' bench. Similar to Mike Babcock's return to the NHL in 2023, Quenneville's behavior will be under the microscope, especially in the early going. On a more practical, coaching-specific level, it's fair to wonder if the sport has passed him by. He's 67 and hasn't worked at all the past four years.That said, Quenneville - a Jack Adams Award winner and three-time Cup champion - has inherited a team on the rise. Anaheim jumped from 59 points in 2023-24 to 80 last season. Its core has a ton of untapped potential. Plus, management has slowly but surely filled out the roster with useful veterans.<h3>Steve Yzerman</h3>Armed with the so-called Yzerplan for rebuilding an Original Six franchise, Yzerman is about to embark upon Season 7 as the Red Wings' GM.Detroit has yet to make the playoffs, and it's a coin flip if the skid ends at nine years given the competition for an Eastern Conference wild-card spot. Yzerman's job should be hanging in the balance, but then again, he's a franchise icon who's ostensibly mastered the art of tempering expectations.Detroit's forward group is roughly NHL average. Its blue line is one gigantic question mark beyond cornerstones Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson. Goaltending's been upgraded through the John Gibson acquisition. Todd McLellan, meanwhile, can flex his coaching muscles in his first full season.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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10 people under the most pressure entering the 2025-26 NHL season

LAS VEGAS - Jack Eichel insists he's consumed by the day-to-day existence of an NHL star, single-...

LAS VEGAS - Jack Eichel insists he's consumed by the day-to-day existence of an NHL star, single-mindedly focused on preparing for his 11th season.At the same time, the Golden Knights center says he's the type of person who doesn't need to push aside potential distractions as the season ramps up. Eichel, a pending unrestricted free agent, would in fact love to sign a contract extension with Vegas and has no issues with negotiating during the season."I just try to focus on the things that are in my control. If a contract happens organically, then it happens," Eichel said Tuesday at the NHL/NHLPA player media tour, one week away from the start of Golden Knights training camp.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Eichel, 28, is entering Season 8 of the eight-year, $80-million deal he signed with the Sabres in 2017. One legitimate possibility: a long-term extension with Vegas (perhaps committing to the maximum eight years again), with an average annual value in the neighborhood of $13 million.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800825/cropped_GettyImages-1386568566.jpg?ts=1757552754" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800825/w220xh124_GettyImages-1386568566.jpg?ts=1757552754 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800825/w320xh180_GettyImages-1386568566.jpg?ts=1757552754 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800825/w640xh360_GettyImages-1386568566.jpg?ts=1757552754 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800825/w768xh432_GettyImages-1386568566.jpg?ts=1757552754 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800825/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1386568566.jpg?ts=1757552754 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Ethan Miller / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Eichel re-upping with the Golden Knights would be a significant blow to the 2026 UFA class, though it's got no shortage of star power. Connor McDavid is <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3336902" href="https://thescore.com/news/3336902">the whopper</a>, while Kirill Kaprizov, Kyle Connor, Artemi Panarin, and Adrian Kempe headline an exceptionally strong second tier of potential UFA forwards. How many of them actually make it to market remains to be seen.Kempe, who's spent his entire nine-year career in Los Angeles, hopes he and the Kings' front office can find common ground on a deal "that's fair for me and for the team." The electrifying shoot-first winger predicts talks will pick up in the "next weeks or months" and hinted he'd prefer something long term."It's tough for me because this is probably the biggest contract of my career. Probably the last contract, hopefully, of my career," the 29-year-old said.Kempe added, "I don't want to rush anything. I feel like we're not in a rush on my part. I feel like the team is not in a rush."<h3>Barzal may 'never feel back to 100%'</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800827/cropped_GettyImages-2193614804.jpg?ts=1757554086" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800827/w220xh124_GettyImages-2193614804.jpg?ts=1757554086 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800827/w320xh180_GettyImages-2193614804.jpg?ts=1757554086 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800827/w640xh360_GettyImages-2193614804.jpg?ts=1757554086 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800827/w768xh432_GettyImages-2193614804.jpg?ts=1757554086 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800827/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2193614804.jpg?ts=1757554086 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Mike Stobe / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Mathew Barzal was penciled in by many as a potential future Olympian as recently as a couple of years ago. Making Team Canada isn't even on the center's radar right now thanks to a long, patience-zapping rehab process."My mindset is a little bit shifted from that and more so (aimed at) just trying to get back to the player I know I can be," said Barzal, who was limited to 30 games in 2024-25 after blocking a shot off his kneecap in early February.In one breath, Barzal notes he'd be healthy enough to be in the Islanders' lineup if the season started this week. In the next, he laments the lingering physical effects of the injury and the associated mental and emotional grind."An injury like this, you'll potentially never feel back to 100%. Mentally, I'm at a point now where it doesn't really matter," he said, later adding: "I've got six years left on my contract and I'm just fully committed to doing everything I can to be the best player I can be."<h3>Hughes wants bro on Devils' PP1</h3>Jack Hughes <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3342391" href="https://thescore.com/news/3342391">raised eyebrows</a> this week by publicly admitting he wants to play with big brother and Canucks defenseman Quinn one day. The Devils star of course already plays with the third Hughes, and it turns out Jack believes little bro Luke deserves a full-time spot on New Jersey's top power play unit."Hopefully Luke can come in and just be on power play one from Day 1," Jack said of the currently unsigned 22-year-old blue-liner. "I think that's so important for him. He's got so much upside, and when we do give him (high-leverage minutes) that all the other No. 1 D-men get, we get great return."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800832/cropped_GettyImages-2191219720.jpg?ts=1757556950" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800832/w220xh124_GettyImages-2191219720.jpg?ts=1757556950 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800832/w320xh180_GettyImages-2191219720.jpg?ts=1757556950 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800832/w640xh360_GettyImages-2191219720.jpg?ts=1757556950 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800832/w768xh432_GettyImages-2191219720.jpg?ts=1757556950 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800832/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2191219720.jpg?ts=1757556950 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Luke Hales / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Veteran Dougie Hamilton led all Devils defensemen in power play ice time last season with 180 minutes over 62 games. Luke, then in his second full NHL campaign, finished with 115 minutes over 69 games. Overall, the club scored 10.6 goals per 60 minutes to rank third in the NHL in power-play efficiency.Featuring Luke more prominently on PP1 versus PP2 would be "a start," Jack said. "Then the rest of the game he'll take care of himself. He's a great skater. He's a really good defender too. I think he can be a true No. 1 for us."<h3>Ditch shootout for extended OT?</h3>The NHL introduced the shootout in 2005-06. Has it run its course? Linus Ullmark thinks so. The Senators goalie would like to see the shootout ditched for five additional minutes of overtime action - like at the 4 Nations Face-Off.Ullmark, who ironically sits <a href="https://records.nhl.com/records/goaltender-records/shootouts/best-shootout-save-percentage-career">sixth all time</a> in shootout save percentage, likes the idea of all games being decided by action that at the very least resembles regular hockey. He has a love-hate relationship with the breakaway challenge."When you go out there and you actually manage to save all three (attempts) and you win in the shootout, you feel like the best guy," the affable Swede said with a smile. "You have a rush and you're so happy with it because you know the game is on the line and it's just you and the shooter."On the flip side, the goalie often gets blamed for shootout losses, which sucks, "plain and simple." It's even worse when the netminder is unbeatable in regulation and overtime action. As Ullmark puts it, if the opposition solves you in the shootout, all of a sudden, "You feel like you're the worst goalie ever."<h3>Makar's clever D-man award idea</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800836/cropped_GettyImages-2211040739.jpg?ts=1757559368" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800836/w220xh124_GettyImages-2211040739.jpg?ts=1757559368 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800836/w320xh180_GettyImages-2211040739.jpg?ts=1757559368 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800836/w640xh360_GettyImages-2211040739.jpg?ts=1757559368 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800836/w768xh432_GettyImages-2211040739.jpg?ts=1757559368 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800836/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2211040739.jpg?ts=1757559368 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Michael Martin / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>There's only one award dedicated to defensemen: the Norris Trophy, which is "presented to the defenseman who demonstrates the greatest all-around ability in the position during the regular season." Some Norris winners aren't particularly strong all-around D-men, just the year's top point-getter at the position.Fans and media have long wondered if creating an award for the best defensive defenseman would be an effective way to reward blue-liners who dominate in less glamorous ways. Hold on, 2022 and 2025 Norris winner Cale Makar may have a better idea: Why not establish the Bobby Orr Award for most points?Makar's rationale is simple. In theory, it sounds nice to introduce a defensive defenseman award, but in practice, "It's always hard to quantify what that means." Hockey statistics, while vastly improved over the past decade, don't capture the essence of defensive play well. So, keep the Norris as is ("greatest all-around" D-man) and add the Orr as the defenseman's equivalent of the Art Ross."I might get roasted on that, but that's my take on it," Makar said.Hey, it's actually a pretty clever idea.<h3>Ovi's bullet, Cats three-peat, Jarvis chirps</h3>Ovi's bullet: Dustin Wolf of the Flames is one of 184 goalies to dig a puck out of the net thanks to Alex Ovechkin. His two goals against Wolf came in the 10th game of his young career. The first was an inner-slot deflection, the second a gorgeous one-timer from the sniper's so-called office. "You don't understand what it looks like until you stand behind it," Wolf said of Ovechkin's legendary shot. "It comes off like a saucer disc. The puck's flat. There's no wobble to it. You pray you're in a good spot and it hits you. There's a reason why he has almost 900." Ovi, who turns 40 next week, will start the season at 897 goals.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800841/cropped_GettyImages-2211163434.jpg?ts=1757565527" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800841/w220xh124_GettyImages-2211163434.jpg?ts=1757565527 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800841/w320xh180_GettyImages-2211163434.jpg?ts=1757565527 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800841/w640xh360_GettyImages-2211163434.jpg?ts=1757565527 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800841/w768xh432_GettyImages-2211163434.jpg?ts=1757565527 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800841/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2211163434.jpg?ts=1757565527 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Mike Carlson / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Cats three-peat: Reporters from various national media outlets, including theScore, interviewed players in a small room at the Waldorf Astoria hotel for three days this week. Division rivals Sam Reinhart and Victor Hedman visited back-to-back on Monday. The first thing out of the Lightning captain's mouth as he walked in? "No! They're not going to win three in row!" It was a playful jab. Everybody laughed. But there was some weight to Hedman's remark: The Panthers are very much the kings of the NHL following two straight Stanley Cups, and rivals are extremely motivated to squash their three-peat dreams.Jarvis chirps: Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis is arguably the funniest dude in the league. He's cheerful, childlike, and self-deprecating. He comes off as someone who would excel in the dark arts of in-game chirping. The truth is, he gets tongue-tied at ice level. "I have such an appreciation for (elite chirpers). I'm not quick enough," Jarvis said. "When someone says something to me, I just can't snap back at them right away. I need like four to five business days to come back with something. It's usually a little late." See, this guy is funny!<h3>Updates from deputy commissioner</h3>Deputy NHL commissioner Bill Daly fielded questions from reporters Tuesday on a variety of league-related topics. Here are three tidbits worth sharing:<ul><li>The investigation into the Oilers' use of LTIR relating to forward Evander Kane is officially closed. Kane missed the entire regular season due to multiple injuries before returning to the lineup for the second game of the playoffs. The league found no wrongdoing, so neither Edmonton nor Kane will face punishment.</li></ul><div> </div><ul><li>A decision on the status of the five former Hockey Canada players acquitted at trial in a high-profile sexual assault case is expected "at some point in the relatively near future," Daly said. Former NHLers Michael McLeod, Callan Foote, Dillon Dube, Carter Hart, and Alex Formenton are all currently ineligible to sign an NHL contract.</li></ul><div> </div><ul><li>The NHL pivoted to a decentralized draft this past June and, at the urging of its teams, will keep the format for the 2026 event despite widespread criticism of 2025's slow, cringeworthy Round 1. The league will make "significant changes" to the TV product. "It's not going to be a four-and-a-half-hour first round," Daly said.</li></ul>John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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Eichel ready to re-sign, Makar's award idea, and 9 other NHL items

LAS VEGAS - Nick Suzuki, fueled by both the international opportunity and a chance to play meanin...

LAS VEGAS - Nick Suzuki, fueled by both the international opportunity and a chance to play meaningful games at the Bell Centre in Montreal, made his case last September for a spot on Canada's entry in the 4 Nations Face-Off."I want to be on that team. I've thought about it a lot," said Suzuki, the Montreal Canadiens' captain, at the 2024 NHL/NHLPA player media tour. "I'm a player who can be put in any situation. I can play fourth line. I can shut other guys down."Spoiler alert: Suzuki wasn't named to Canada, the eventual 4 Nations champion. He instead spent part of the February break in the NHL schedule looking at houses to purchase in his hometown of London, Ontario. He tried to relax but couldn't look away from the 4 Nations spectacle. Then, when NHL action resumed, Suzuki went on a tear, racking up 37 points in 26 games while leading the Canadiens to the postseason for the first time since 2021.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"I definitely came back from that break wanting to prove what I could do," Suzuki said Monday during his return to the annual media tour in Vegas.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800638/cropped_GettyImages-2208172144.jpg?ts=1757394880" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800638/w220xh124_GettyImages-2208172144.jpg?ts=1757394880 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800638/w320xh180_GettyImages-2208172144.jpg?ts=1757394880 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800638/w640xh360_GettyImages-2208172144.jpg?ts=1757394880 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800638/w768xh432_GettyImages-2208172144.jpg?ts=1757394880 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800638/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2208172144.jpg?ts=1757394880 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Suzuki, 26, looks refreshed coming out of an offseason in which he traveled to Scotland for ex-teammate Joel Edmundson's wedding, got married himself, hosted his annual charity golf tournament, attended Hockey Canada's Olympic orientation camp, and prepared for his seventh NHL season.Here's what he covered in a sit-down with theScore and other national outlets.<h3>Building off lessons learned</h3>The Canadiens overachieved last season, collecting 91 points despite finishing with a minus-20 goal differential. It's hard to get a firm handle on them heading into 2025-26. On one hand, the underlying numbers suggest regression is likely. On the other, the immense promise in the core, which is being driven by Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and others, cannot be discounted."We're still a young team, we still have a lot to learn, but I think the lessons that we got last year were really important for our group," Suzuki said. Jockeying for playoff positioning then battling the Washington Capitals for five playoff games were group experiences to "build off," he added - a stepping stone.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800639/cropped_GettyImages-2212559850.jpg?ts=1757399688" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800639/w220xh124_GettyImages-2212559850.jpg?ts=1757399688 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800639/w320xh180_GettyImages-2212559850.jpg?ts=1757399688 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800639/w640xh360_GettyImages-2212559850.jpg?ts=1757399688 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800639/w768xh432_GettyImages-2212559850.jpg?ts=1757399688 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800639/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2212559850.jpg?ts=1757399688 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Vitor Munhoz / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Suzuki set career highs in assists (59) and points (89) and potted the second-most goals of his career (30). He ended up 19 points clear of any teammate and posted strong defensive numbers to earn a pair of Hart Trophy votes. In 12 months, he's gone from 4 Nations long shot to serious Olympic contender."Who knows what the Olympic roster is going to look like," he said a week out from NHL camps opening and five months from the Olympic tournament in Italy. "It's definitely on my mind a lot this summer, training, preparing for the season, knowing I need to have a good start to be in consideration."General manager Kent Hughes added Noah Dobson and Zack Bolduc in summer trades with the New York Islanders and St. Louis Blues, respectively. Dobson, a large and dynamic 25-year-old defenseman, will eat up minutes on the right side of the blue line. Bolduc, the lesser known but arguably more intriguing of the two, will throw his body around while chipping in offensively in a top-nine role."(Bolduc) brings a lot of jam to his game," Suzuki said. "He's talked about how that's not really his personality, but he's still found a way to stick in the NHL by playing that way. I love that from a young guy who's able to adjust."The other notable Hughes move came down Friday: Habs legend Carey Price - the goalie's contract, anyway - was traded with a fifth-round draft pick to the San Jose Sharks for a minor-league defenseman. "We were content with him going on LTIR, but it definitely helps our cap situation," Suzuki said, sounding like an executive. "I think that'll help us, especially if we are where we want to be at the trade deadline and trying to acquire some (established) guys."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800640/cropped_GettyImages-1923332829.jpg?ts=1757399893" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800640/w220xh124_GettyImages-1923332829.jpg?ts=1757399893 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800640/w320xh180_GettyImages-1923332829.jpg?ts=1757399893 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800640/w640xh360_GettyImages-1923332829.jpg?ts=1757399893 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800640/w768xh432_GettyImages-1923332829.jpg?ts=1757399893 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800640/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1923332829.jpg?ts=1757399893 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Ivan Demidov arrived from the KHL in April and suited up for seven NHL games. Months later, Suzuki still can't get over two things: fans tracking Demidov's flight to Canada and the Russian winger's rockstar-level talent.Demidov, a favorite to win the Calder Trophy, doesn't turn 20 until December. Reigning Calder winner Lane Hutson and 2022 No. 1 pick Juraj Slafkovsky - two other top-of-the-lineup talents - are 21. Another high pick, 20-year-old David Reinbacher, could see NHL action this year. Challenged to pinpoint a less obvious breakout player, Suzuki chose Kaiden Guhle, 23."It's tough to pick one guy, but I think a guy who is a little underappreciated is Guhle," he said of the fourth-year blue-liner. "His defensive game, as a young player, is special. We play Edmonton and he's matched up with Connor McDavid, and with the way Guhle skates, he can defend McDavid so well."<h3>Life in the Atlantic Division</h3>Montreal narrowly beat out the Columbus Blue Jackets for the final wild card in the Eastern Conference last season. What are Suzuki's expectations for 2025-26? Is claiming one of the three Atlantic Division seeds a realistic goal for the Habs?"I'd love to do better in the division," he started. "We have the toughest division. Could be biased but ...""The Atlantic has a lot of teams that have had success for a long time," Suzuki continued, referring to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, and Boston Bruins. "Now that a lot of other teams have rebuilt, every team is going to be good this year. I'd love to make the playoffs not in the last game of the season - that'd be cool."He delivered the last part dryly. Playoff races can be stressful and draining.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800641/cropped_GettyImages-2147601397.jpg?ts=1757402716" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800641/w220xh124_GettyImages-2147601397.jpg?ts=1757402716 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800641/w320xh180_GettyImages-2147601397.jpg?ts=1757402716 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800641/w640xh360_GettyImages-2147601397.jpg?ts=1757402716 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800641/w768xh432_GettyImages-2147601397.jpg?ts=1757402716 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800641/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2147601397.jpg?ts=1757402716 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Vitor Munhoz / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Suzuki was also asked for his thoughts on the playoff salary cap, which will come into effect in 2025-26. He quickly noted the Lightning were "$20 million over the cap" (it was actually $18 million) during the Habs' 2021 run to the Stanley Cup Final. In the next breath, he made it clear he wasn't complaining."Teams found a way to loophole it. But it wasn't against the rules, so you can't really complain," Suzuki said of clubs regularly jumping past the upper limit in the playoffs, thanks to LTIR rules. "We'll see what even happens, how much different teams are going to look" in the playoffs in future years, he added.Key decision-makers are reluctant to expand the playoff field beyond 16 teams, but there are some within the sport who favor some kind of tweak, perhaps a play-in setup similar to the NBA's. What does No. 14 think?"I think it'd be fun," Suzuki said."We were fighting with Columbus (late last season) for like two months. If we won, they won. If we lost, they lost. And then they missed by (two points). Us versus them, trying to get the eighth seed through a play-in game, would have been a pretty intense game."John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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Nick Suzuki talks chase for Olympic spot, Canadiens hype

Welcome to NHL Inbox, a monthly forum in which readers can ask me anything hockey-related, and I ...

Welcome to NHL Inbox, a monthly forum in which readers can ask me anything hockey-related, and I try my best to deliver an insightful answer.Note: the questions below were lightly edited for clarity and brevity.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><center>                    </center></figure><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799319/cropped_GettyImages-2214755188.jpg?ts=1756489675" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799319/w220xh124_GettyImages-2214755188.jpg?ts=1756489675 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799319/w320xh180_GettyImages-2214755188.jpg?ts=1756489675 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799319/w640xh360_GettyImages-2214755188.jpg?ts=1756489675 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799319/w768xh432_GettyImages-2214755188.jpg?ts=1756489675 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799319/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2214755188.jpg?ts=1756489675 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Mark Blinch / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Jeff M. asks: Has the Maple Leafs' Stanley Cup window closed? They still don't have a proven No. 1 goalie or No. 1 defenseman, and their No. 1 forward is injury-prone. Would it not be better to rebuild on the fly and trade Auston Matthews now? For instance, L.A. needs scoring and a superstar. Could you possibly get Quinton Byfield and Brandt Clarke for Matthews? Building around Joseph Woll, Clarke, Matthew Knies, and Byfield would give the Leafs a solid base and allow them to contend when Florida's window starts to close.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>My knee-jerk reaction to this question: Uh, is Matthews suddenly underrated?No player has scored more total goals or goals per game than Matthews since his rookie season in 2016-17. The Leafs captain has produced night after night over a massive 629-game sample, recording a whopping 401 goals (Leon Draisaitl is second with 378) for 0.64 per game (Kirill Kaprizov, 0.58).I get the skepticism. Matthews, who turns 28 next week, always seems to be dealing with an injury or ailment. Sometimes the issue keeps him out of the lineup; other times it limits his effectiveness. Not ideal. Also, famously, his resume lacks a deep playoff run. Despite all of this, I don't think the overall concern is anywhere near the "trade a consensus top-five NHLer" threshold.(While I wouldn't trade Matthews, I do like Jeff's creativity in sending the Arizona native to a big market close to home and getting two studs in return.)The Cup window's open as long as Matthews and William Nylander remain ultra productive and the blue line-goalie combo is a strong suit. So, three to four years?Toronto isn't an inner-circle Cup contender, though, and may never be in the Matthews era (two series wins in nine years is ample evidence). At the same time, I'm curious to see how things go early in the post-Mitch Marner era. I think sprinkling Marner's cap dollars throughout the forward group (versus finding one player to replace Marner) was a perfectly reasonable approach. Plus, the Leafs are, for once, entering a season with cap space to play with.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><center>                    </center></figure><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799320/cropped_GettyImages-2153688136.jpg?ts=1756489872" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799320/w220xh124_GettyImages-2153688136.jpg?ts=1756489872 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799320/w320xh180_GettyImages-2153688136.jpg?ts=1756489872 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799320/w640xh360_GettyImages-2153688136.jpg?ts=1756489872 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799320/w768xh432_GettyImages-2153688136.jpg?ts=1756489872 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799320/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2153688136.jpg?ts=1756489872 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Aron Ontiveroz / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Rob F. asks: What's the ideal salary pyramid for a contending NHL team? Top pay for a handful of stars and minimum wage for the third and fourth lines? Or a more balanced share? And which teams would you say match the ideal?Fun question.A lot depends on the quality and quantity of high-end talent.If you're a general manager lucky enough to have one or two of the top-10 players in the world (Edmonton, Colorado), you pay market rate or higher to keep the cornerstones happy, then fill out the rest of the roster. Everything flows downstream from superstars in a league that's more star-centric than ever.If you have three or four star-caliber players (Toronto prior to Marner's departure, Tampa Bay), you must be careful not to overcommit to all of them. Four big-money contracts will severely limit flexibility (again, see: Toronto).GMs tend to get themselves in trouble further down the lineup. The good ones are cutthroat with role players, refusing to hand over term to bottom-six forwards and third-pair defensemen. Pierre Engvall (seven years, $21 million) and Tanner Jeannot (five years, $17 million) come to mind as poor bets for the Islanders and Bruins, respectively. Why devote valuable cap space to a flawed veteran when a younger, cheaper option will present itself within months?Carolina, Colorado, Dallas, and Tampa Bay are contenders with clean books.GMs need to identify their long-term core early in the team-building process and then work to quickly sign those core pieces to long-term extensions. New Jersey and Utah are sparkling examples: Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Clayton Keller, and Dylan Guenther are all on sweetheart deals because management leaped at the chance to sign burgeoning stars to lengthy second contracts.There will always be whiffs on young players. But the risk associated with signing a promising yet inexperienced talent to a long-term deal is fairly low. Take, for instance, 22-year-old Jackson Blake, who's appeared in just 81 total NHL games. If his eight-year, $45-million contract (starting in 2026-27) doesn't pan out in Carolina, surely another franchise will jump at the chance to "fix" the young forward with a change-of-scenery trade.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><center>                    </center></figure><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800126/cropped_GettyImages-2219398423.jpg?ts=1757091226" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800126/w220xh124_GettyImages-2219398423.jpg?ts=1757091226 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800126/w320xh180_GettyImages-2219398423.jpg?ts=1757091226 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800126/w640xh360_GettyImages-2219398423.jpg?ts=1757091226 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800126/w768xh432_GettyImages-2219398423.jpg?ts=1757091226 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800126/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2219398423.jpg?ts=1757091226 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Carmen Mandato / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Charles S. asks: I've been watching the NHL for decades but have never been able to find an answer to this question: When both teams are simultaneously called for minor penalties, how do the referees decide if play will resume four-on-four or five-on-five? Is this an arbitrary, in-the-moment decision, or one based on a rule such as whether the penalties were assessed before or after the whistle?According to the official NHL rulebook, there are three scenarios in which play is supposed to resume four-on-four after coincidental penalties.Scenario 1<ul>
<li>Team A: Player assessed minor penalty and misconduct</li>
<li>Team B: Player assessed minor</li>
</ul>Scenario 2 <ul>
<li>Team A: Player assessed minor and misconduct</li>
<li>Team B: Player assessed minor and misconduct</li>
</ul>Scenario 3 <ul>
<li>Team A: Player assessed minor, teammate assessed misconduct</li>
<li>Team B: Player assessed minor, teammate assessed misconduct</li>
</ul>The through line here is the misconduct. Without one, play resumes five-on-five.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><center>                    </center></figure><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799312/cropped_GettyImages-2206468922.jpg?ts=1756485631" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799312/w220xh124_GettyImages-2206468922.jpg?ts=1756485631 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799312/w320xh180_GettyImages-2206468922.jpg?ts=1756485631 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799312/w640xh360_GettyImages-2206468922.jpg?ts=1756485631 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799312/w768xh432_GettyImages-2206468922.jpg?ts=1756485631 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799312/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2206468922.jpg?ts=1756485631 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jared Silber / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Joe G. asks: As a (mostly) long-suffering New York Rangers fan, is there any hope this team can bounce back and make the playoffs in 2025-26? The loss of Chris Kreider doesn't bother me as much as the fact that I have no idea what to expect from Mika Zibanejad and Alexis Lafreniere. Outside of Artemi Panarin, where is all the scoring coming from? Talk me off the ledge. Yes, there's hope. In fact, I <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3327805" href="https://thescore.com/news/3327805">pegged the Rangers</a> as a "probable playoff team" in my annual tiering of all 32 clubs. New York's floor remains pretty high after an aggressive eight-month retooling effort executed by GM Chris Drury.Drama, roster turnover, and malaise filled the Rangers' 2024-25 season, yet they finished with a respectable 85 points. With stability restored, an Adam Fox bounce-back season coming, and Mike Sullivan's arrival providing the classic new-coach bump, the 2025-26 team is primed for 90-100 points.Of course, claiming a playoff spot is never as simple as hitting a specific point total. If we assume Carolina, New Jersey, and Washington grab the Metropolitan Division seeds again, the Rangers are left to battle with Columbus and three to four Atlantic squads for the two Eastern Conference wild-card spots. Put another way, the postseason is within grasp but not guaranteed.You're right, Joe: Scoring will likely be an issue. The forward group is underwhelming, and its key pieces are getting up there in age - Panarin turns 34 in October, and J.T. Miller, Vincent Trocheck, and Zibanejad are all 32. As for expectations for Zibanejad, he is what he is at this point: a slow, unreliable five-on-five producer whose heavy shot still scares goalies on the power play.All of that said, star goalie Igor Shesterkin and a revamped blue line (Fox and Braden Schneider plus four relative newcomers, most notably shutdown stud Vladislav Gavrikov) should make up for the average attack. In his introductory press conference, Sullivan emphasized winning through stifling team defense, and the Rangers have the defensive talent to keep pucks out of their net.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><center>                    </center></figure><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800117/cropped_GettyImages-2193190507.jpg?ts=1757086787" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800117/w220xh124_GettyImages-2193190507.jpg?ts=1757086787 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800117/w320xh180_GettyImages-2193190507.jpg?ts=1757086787 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800117/w640xh360_GettyImages-2193190507.jpg?ts=1757086787 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800117/w768xh432_GettyImages-2193190507.jpg?ts=1757086787 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800117/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2193190507.jpg?ts=1757086787 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Emilee Chinn / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Blair B. asks: What do you feel is the most important stat (or two) you would review to evaluate a player's ability? We have so many stats now - WAR, saves above replacement, Corsi, Fenwick - but which ones matter the most? Each position is so unique, so let's break this down into three parts.Forward: Corsi (or shot attempt differential) has become less useful over the years as the NHL has moved from obsessing over shots on goal to obsessing over grade A scoring chances. To gauge a forward's underlying contributions, I first check their five-on-five expected goals numbers. xG does a far better job capturing what happens when a player's on the ice than Corsi, plus-minus, or in some cases even points. The object of the game is to score more goals than the other team. Having a high expected goals share should, over time, lead to a positive goal differential, which, in turn, naturally leads to wins.Defenseman: The granular metrics pumped out by Sportlogiq are extremely helpful. You can start to grasp a blue-liner's true impact on the defensive side of the puck by looking at who consistently ranks highly in loose-puck recoveries, puck-battle wins, blocked passes, stick checks, defensive-zone denials, and the like. For instance, the eye test tells us Miro Heiskanen is an elite defensive player, and his per-game rankings in those categories confirm it (first in D-zone denials, fourth in loose-puck recoveries, and ninth in blocked passes last season). We now have nuanced data to draw conclusions from.Goalie: I never reference goals-against average in my coverage (it's a team stat, not a goalie stat!). Save percentage is OK. However, goals saved above expected is a major upgrade on both because it pinpoints the difference between the goalie's performance and the defensive environment. It's important to know the quality of shots and chances he's facing. The result: The SV% leaderboard is filled with goalies on good teams, whereas the GSAE leaderboard is filled with goalies playing well, regardless of team success.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><center>                    </center></figure>What do you want to know, hockey fans?There are three ways to submit a question for future NHL Inbox editions:<ul>
<li>Comment on this article in theScore app</li>
<li>Email senior NHL writer John Matisz at <a href="mailto:john.matisz@theScore.com">john.matisz@thescore.com</a>
</li>
<li>Send John a message on Twitter/X (<a href="https://x.com/MatiszJohn">@matiszjohn</a>)</li>
</ul>

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NHL Inbox: Leafs' contention window? Rangers' playoff case? Best fancy stats?

Some NHL fans awoke from their offseason slumber this week, wondering if the headlines they'd ski...

Some NHL fans awoke from their offseason slumber this week, wondering if the headlines they'd skimmed while sipping a beer by the lake were as juicy as they originally seemed.Is Connor McDavid signing a contract extension with the Oilers or not? What is going on?!The confusion's understandable. Modern NHL stars tend to choose the certainty and security of a long-term deal over the great unknown that is unrestricted free agency. Some, including all-timer Sidney Crosby, ink multiple long-term extensions to all but guarantee they'll retire as a one-team player.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799811/cropped_GettyImages-2232593035.jpg?ts=1756850754" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799811/w220xh124_GettyImages-2232593035.jpg?ts=1756850754 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799811/w320xh180_GettyImages-2232593035.jpg?ts=1756850754 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799811/w640xh360_GettyImages-2232593035.jpg?ts=1756850754 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799811/w768xh432_GettyImages-2232593035.jpg?ts=1756850754 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799811/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2232593035.jpg?ts=1756850754 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Leah Hennel / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>McDavid, 28 years old and at the peak of his powers, is entering the final season of an eight-year, $100-million deal. He became eligible to sign a new contract with Edmonton on July 1. However, it's early September and McDavid's future beyond 2025-26 is fuzzy. At Team Canada's Olympic orientation camp in Calgary last week, he <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3332726" href="https://thescore.com/news/3332726">told reporters</a> he has "every intention to win in Edmonton" yet "all options are on the table."I checked in with a few contacts around the NHL, and this is my main takeaway from those conversations: McDavid is being truthful. He didn't misspeak. He truly hasn't made a decision about his future, and all options are indeed in play.Those options include re-signing before the Oct. 8 season opener, re-signing during the season, re-signing after the season, or testing free agency next July. That last option is a whopper, as McDavid - a generational player with a burning desire to win - would be the most sought-after UFA in league history.Let's dig a little deeper by running through some pertinent questions.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799840/cropped_GettyImages-2182340743.jpg?ts=1756905500" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799840/w220xh124_GettyImages-2182340743.jpg?ts=1756905500 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799840/w320xh180_GettyImages-2182340743.jpg?ts=1756905500 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799840/w640xh360_GettyImages-2182340743.jpg?ts=1756905500 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799840/w768xh432_GettyImages-2182340743.jpg?ts=1756905500 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799840/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2182340743.jpg?ts=1756905500 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>First of all, why hasn't the Oilers captain re-signed?This isn't a normal situation. There's very little, if any, negotiating to be done by the Oilers. They're prepared to essentially hand McDavid a blank check.But it's clear from both McDavid's public comments and word around the league that he isn't convinced the Oilers are set up to be a top-tier Stanley Cup contender beyond 2025-26. Most of the core supporting McDavid and fellow superstar Leon Draisaitl is on the wrong side of the aging curve. High-usage players like Mattias Ekholm, Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Darnell Nurse are all 30 or older, while the next wave isn't flush with can't-miss talent.Isaac Howard and Matthew Savoie lead a prospect group ranked 30th by <a href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/news/prospect-pool-rankings/elite-prospects-2025-nhl-prospect-pool-rankings-no-30-ranked-edmonton-oilers">Elite Prospects</a> and 31st by <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6493185/2025/08/25/edmonton-oilers-nhl-pipeline-rankings-2025/">The Athletic</a>. Both wingers are expected to challenge for top six spots this season, yet neither has a particularly high ceiling.Meanwhile, the future of the goaltending position is completely up in the air. <figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799846/cropped_GettyImages-2218480052.jpg?ts=1756906523" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799846/w220xh124_GettyImages-2218480052.jpg?ts=1756906523 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799846/w320xh180_GettyImages-2218480052.jpg?ts=1756906523 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799846/w640xh360_GettyImages-2218480052.jpg?ts=1756906523 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799846/w768xh432_GettyImages-2218480052.jpg?ts=1756906523 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799846/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2218480052.jpg?ts=1756906523 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Steph Chambers / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>What can management do to sell No. 97 on staying?The Oilers lost to the Panthers in Game 7 of the 2024 Cup Final, then Game 6 of the 2025 final. They've come agonizingly close twice in two years. That would be the pitch to McDavid: We're right there, man. Please trust that we'll improve the supporting cast and get across the finish line one of these years.Signing offensive dynamo Evan Bouchard to a four-year deal in June was a nice win. However, the rest of the summer wasn't overly productive, with Howard and Andrew Mangiapane counting as the Oilers' splashiest acquisitions.General manager Stan Bowman can't sit on his hands. He must get creative, which is much easier said than done. Edmonton is in a cap crunch (it currently has $225,834 in space, according to <a href="https://puckpedia.com/team/edmonton-oilers">PuckPedia</a>), and the team doesn't have its 2026 first-round pick or enticing young players it could use to reel in an impact player via trade.McDavid, the 2015 first overall pick, has been an Oiler for a decade. He's been wildly productive. He's been incredibly patient. He's grown into a leader.He doesn't owe the organization anything, and he wants to hoist the Cup.Right, but might this whole situation become a distraction?Theoretically, yes. Then again, this is a special case.McDavid, identified as a phenom at a very young age, has been under intense pressure and scrutiny for most of his life. It's a safe bet that any "noise" that's created by entering the season without an extension - if that’s what he chooses to do - won't affect his play. He's an exceptional talent partly because he performs at an elite level no matter what's going on around him.How McDavid's uncertain future affects the rest of the roster remains to be seen. The hockey world will be following every new development closely.What's the case for McDavid ultimately re-signing?<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799856/cropped_GettyImages-2219197399.jpg?ts=1756909200" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799856/w220xh124_GettyImages-2219197399.jpg?ts=1756909200 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799856/w320xh180_GettyImages-2219197399.jpg?ts=1756909200 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799856/w640xh360_GettyImages-2219197399.jpg?ts=1756909200 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799856/w768xh432_GettyImages-2219197399.jpg?ts=1756909200 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799856/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2219197399.jpg?ts=1756909200 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Brian Babineau / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Here's a list of things the Oilers can provide that other franchises can't:<ul>
<li>Draisaitl (perfect running mate signed through 2032-33)</li>
<li>Established roots (wife Lauren has launched multiple businesses)</li>
<li>Longer contract (nobody else can offer an eight-year deal)</li>
<li>Unfinished business (third time's a charm in the Cup Final?)</li>
</ul>In short, the grass isn't always greener. There are benefits to staying put.McDavid has tremendous bargaining power in Edmonton.He's the best player in the world, and the salary cap is rising. Maybe he goes NBA star mode and re-signs for one year to keep the Oilers' feet to the fire, maintain flexibility, and maximize his earnings. Perhaps something in the two-to-five-year range works. Or, who knows, eight years might be the right call.McDavid was once represented by Oilers president Jeff Jackson. His current agent is Judd Moldaver, who also reps Auston Matthews, Zach Werenski, and Roman Josi, among others, for Wasserman. Matthews is one of the rare NHL stars who's been unafraid of medium-term deals; he signed for five years at $11.6 million per season in 2019 and four years at $13.3 million per in 2023.What kind of money can McDavid command?No matter when or where he signs, McDavid will raise the salary bar.Draisaitl's the highest earner for 2025-26 thanks to a record average annual value of $14 million, which accounted for 15.2% of the salary cap's upper limit last September. The collective bargaining agreement states a player can sign for a maximum 20%. With the '25-26 cap set at $95.5 million, McDavid's deal would max out at $19.1 million per year if he signs before the end of this season.It's extremely difficult to build a championship hockey team with a single player, even one as magnificent as McDavid, eating up a fifth of the payroll for a 23-man team. So, even though McDavid may be deserving of making nearly $20 million a season, the chances of him signing for the max are slim.McDavid signed for 15.7% of the cap in 2017. That's still the highest mark of all time.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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The fuzziness of Connor McDavid's future, explained

NHL training camps open the week of Sept. 15, with the first preseason game (St. Louis at Dallas)...

NHL training camps open the week of Sept. 15, with the first preseason game (St. Louis at Dallas) going Sept. 20. In other words, hockey's almost back. Here's one question facing each Canadian team two weeks from camps.<h3>Calgary Flames</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799077/cropped_GettyImages-2209898133.jpg?ts=1756313887" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799077/w220xh124_GettyImages-2209898133.jpg?ts=1756313887 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799077/w320xh180_GettyImages-2209898133.jpg?ts=1756313887 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799077/w640xh360_GettyImages-2209898133.jpg?ts=1756313887 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799077/w768xh432_GettyImages-2209898133.jpg?ts=1756313887 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799077/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2209898133.jpg?ts=1756313887 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Leah Hennel / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>When and how does the Rasmus Andersson saga conclude?An Andersson-Flames breakup feels positively inevitable.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>It's a matter of when a trade happens, where the pending unrestricted free agent goes, and what level of distraction the situation causes in the interim.Andersson's a two-way defenseman who can play in all situations and log a ton of minutes. The right-shot Swede is entering the final season of a six-year deal carrying a $4.55-million salary cap hit - an attractive number for a UFA of his caliber. Andersson owns a six-team no-trade list, according to PuckPedia.The Kings were rumored to be a landing spot a few months ago, but GM Ken Holland signed free agent Cody Ceci to round out the right side of his blue line. The Stars and Golden Knights make sense as Stanley Cup contenders who should upgrade their right-handed defense corps soon (and definitely before March's trade deadline).One intriguing wrinkle: If 19-year-old righty Zayne Parekh makes the opening-night roster and impresses to start the season, Flames GM Craig Conroy will be further incentivized to move Andersson ASAP. In that scenario, Andersson and Parekh would battle for top-four minutes with MacKenzie Weegar.<h3>Edmonton Oilers</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/787069/cropped_GettyImages-2216362229.jpg?ts=1756388058" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/787069/w220xh124_GettyImages-2216362229.jpg?ts=1756388058 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/787069/w320xh180_GettyImages-2216362229.jpg?ts=1756388058 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/787069/w640xh360_GettyImages-2216362229.jpg?ts=1756388058 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/787069/w768xh432_GettyImages-2216362229.jpg?ts=1756388058 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/787069/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2216362229.jpg?ts=1756388058 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Sam Hodde / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Who mans Connor McDavid's and Leon Draisaitl's wings? McDavid told reporters last week that he has every intention to win in Edmonton. Yet the world's best player, eligible to sign a contract extension since July 1, hasn't put pen to paper on a new deal with the Oilers. It's not a stretch to suggest No. 97 is underwhelmed by the front office's offseason work.Goaltending went unchanged (another year of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard, yikes) and nobody of note was added to the blue line. The forward group, meanwhile, experienced a fair amount of turnover. Evander Kane, Viktor Arvidsson, Corey Perry, Jeff Skinner, and Connor Brown are out; Andrew Mangiapane, Isaac Howard, Trent Frederic, and Curtis Lazar are in.The top six will feature McDavid and Hart Trophy finalist Draisaitl at center and Zach Hyman on the wing. The three remaining spots are ostensibly up for grabs. Howard, the reigning Hobey Baker Award winner acquired from the Lightning in July, could potentially fit on the first line alongside McDavid and Hyman. He's a quick, competitive goal-scorer with good vision and handles.Matthew Savoie, picked up in a 2024 trade with the Sabres, is a similar player to Howard. He's also 21 years old, but he's more experienced with 77 NHL/AHL games under his belt.The bigger issue is filling out the second line. Vasily Podkolzin and Arvidsson were Draisaitl's most frequent linemates last season - not good enough. Forechecker Podkolzin probably stays. Mangiapane (career-high 35 goals in 2021-22) or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (versatile skill set but also a strong 3C option) can take Arvidsson's spot to inject reliable finishing chops.<h3>Montreal Canadiens</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799186/cropped_GettyImages-2203529371.jpg?ts=1756397746" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799186/w220xh124_GettyImages-2203529371.jpg?ts=1756397746 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799186/w320xh180_GettyImages-2203529371.jpg?ts=1756397746 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799186/w640xh360_GettyImages-2203529371.jpg?ts=1756397746 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799186/w768xh432_GettyImages-2203529371.jpg?ts=1756397746 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799186/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2203529371.jpg?ts=1756397746 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>What's Martin St. Louis' plan for their defensive woes? The upstart Canadiens finished 17th in goals scored in 2024-25. A full season of offensive dynamo Ivan Demidov and organic growth from Juraj Slafkovsky, Lane Hutson, and other youngsters will surely bring Montreal into the top 15, if not top 10. Put another way, the Habs' offense is on an upward trajectory.The defensive puzzle is trickier. Last year, Montreal finished 22nd in goals against for the lowest rank among all playoff teams. Part of the issue was goaltending - starter Sam Montembeault showed well but wasn't spectacular. The rest of it was what happened (or didn't happen) in front of the goalie.Check out how poorly the Canadiens ranked in six key defensive metrics:<figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Sportlogiq metric</th>
<th>2024-25 rank</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Expected goals against</td>
<td> 24th</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Shot attempts against</td>
<td> 27th</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Shots on goal against</td>
<td> 19th</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Slot shots against</td>
<td> 26th</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Inner-slot shots against</td>
<td> 23rd</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Offensive zone time against</td>
<td> 29th</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure>Coach St. Louis installed a hybrid defensive-zone system (mix of man-on-man and zone coverages) to start 2024-25 but bailed on it following a rocky October. It's hard to tease out exactly how much of the failure came down to the strategy itself versus the scheme being too much, too soon for a young roster.There's no one-size-fits-all answer to defense. NHL teams can win by playing man-on-man, zone, or hybrid. St. Louis, who's entering his fourth full season as coach, must find the right approach for Montreal's specific collection of players.<h3>Ottawa Senators</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799180/cropped_GettyImages-2178431687.jpg?ts=1756394138" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799180/w220xh124_GettyImages-2178431687.jpg?ts=1756394138 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799180/w320xh180_GettyImages-2178431687.jpg?ts=1756394138 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799180/w640xh360_GettyImages-2178431687.jpg?ts=1756394138 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799180/w768xh432_GettyImages-2178431687.jpg?ts=1756394138 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799180/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2178431687.jpg?ts=1756394138 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Gregory Shamus / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Can Carter Yakemchuk crack the opening-night roster?Yakemchuk, the seventh overall pick in the 2024 draft, was the final cut at Senators training camp last fall after leading the squad in preseason scoring with five points in three games. The 6-foot-4, 207-pound right-handed defenseman was then inexplicably left off Team Canada's world juniors roster.Yakemchuk, who turns 20 in late September, didn't allow those two setbacks to derail his fourth and final season in the WHL. While the offense-first blue-liner's production dipped year over year, he made significant strides on the defensive side of the puck, improving his gap control, stick work, D-zone positioning, and more. He can now pair his bold offensive game with reliability.Yakemchuk is set to begin his pro career, and the native of Fort McMurray, Alberta, will be given every opportunity to earn an NHL job. The organization is very high on him. If he's cut again, plenty of ice time awaits in the AHL.Ottawa has done a terrific job of building out its defense corps. The sky's the limit for stud Jake Sanderson; Thomas Chabot and Tyler Kleven fill out the left side nicely; Artem Zub, Nick Jensen, and Jordan Spence patrol the right in complementary ways; and Nikolas Matinpalo, another RHD, is solid insurance.<h3>Toronto Maple Leafs</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798974/cropped_GettyImages-2210942956.jpg?ts=1756238917" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798974/w220xh124_GettyImages-2210942956.jpg?ts=1756238917 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798974/w320xh180_GettyImages-2210942956.jpg?ts=1756238917 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798974/w640xh360_GettyImages-2210942956.jpg?ts=1756238917 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798974/w768xh432_GettyImages-2210942956.jpg?ts=1756238917 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798974/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2210942956.jpg?ts=1756238917 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Mark Blinch / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>How do the Leafs line up without Mitch Marner?The top of Toronto's roster was predictable for the better part of a decade: Auston Matthews and Marner on the first line, and John Tavares and William Nylander on the second. Each line's third wheel would change periodically.Marner's off to Vegas, which leaves a gaping hole at right wing and a general sense that ice time will be distributed more evenly. Three other members of the 2024-25 Leafs forward group - Pontus Holmberg, Connor Dewar, and Max Pacioretty - aren't returning, while Matias Maccelli, Nicolas Roy, and Dakota Joshua arrived through trades.Here's one logical configuration (newcomers in bold):<figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Line</th>
<th>Left wing</th>
<th>Center</th>
<th>Right wing</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td> Matthew Knies</td>
<td> Auston Matthews</td>
<td> Max Domi </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td> Matias Maccelli
</td>
<td> John Tavares</td>
<td> William Nylander </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td> Bobby McMann</td>
<td> Nicolas Roy
</td>
<td> Calle Jarnkrok </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td> Steven Lorentz</td>
<td> Scott Laughton</td>
<td> Dakota Joshua 
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure>Line 1 is all about putting Matthews in a position to succeed. Both wingers have chemistry with the captain, who bagged 69 goals in 2023-24; Knies can use his power game and puck-hounding skills to win battles, and Domi can execute high-end passes. The trio outscored the opposition 3-1 (and destroyed them in expected goals 2.3-0.8) in 43 five-on-five minutes last season.Maccelli can assume a similar role to Domi's for Line 2, playing maestro with the puck to feed Nylander off the rush and Tavares in the net-front area. The Finn is by no means a Marner replacement (career high 57 points); however, his craftiness and slipperiness with the puck have a Marner-like quality.<h3>Vancouver Canucks</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799076/cropped_GettyImages-2195778427.jpg?ts=1756313783" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799076/w220xh124_GettyImages-2195778427.jpg?ts=1756313783 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799076/w320xh180_GettyImages-2195778427.jpg?ts=1756313783 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799076/w640xh360_GettyImages-2195778427.jpg?ts=1756313783 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799076/w768xh432_GettyImages-2195778427.jpg?ts=1756313783 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799076/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2195778427.jpg?ts=1756313783 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Alexis R. Knight / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>What's the dynamic in a competitive goalies room?Everybody knows this coming season is massive for Elias Pettersson. But enough has been written recently about the NHL's biggest underachiever.Vancouver's heavy investment in goaltending is far more interesting. Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen are signed through 2028-29 and 2029-30, respectively. The duo accounts for $9.5 million against the cap this season before jumping to $13 million in 2026-27 as Demko's extension kicks in. That isn't a burdensome amount of money - the cap's rising - but it isn't nothing either.Demko, a 2024 Vezina Trophy finalist, is the No. 1 guy. However, Lankinen didn't sign a five-year deal in February to be a traditional backup. It's safe to assume Canucks head coach Adam Foote and goalie coach Marko Torenius will aim for a games-played split of around 50/32. (St. Louis, with 1A Jordan Binnington and 1B Joel Hofer, is a good template - 54/28 last season.)Demko was limited to 23 appearances in 2024-25 due to multiple injuries. He's back to full health and worked closely with renowned goalie trainer Adam Francilia this summer. The 29-year-old won't be hurting for motivation after he didn't receive an invite to Team USA's Olympic orientation camp in August.<h3>Winnipeg Jets</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799100/cropped_GettyImages-1482250100.jpg?ts=1756328580" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799100/w220xh124_GettyImages-1482250100.jpg?ts=1756328580 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799100/w320xh180_GettyImages-1482250100.jpg?ts=1756328580 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799100/w640xh360_GettyImages-1482250100.jpg?ts=1756328580 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799100/w768xh432_GettyImages-1482250100.jpg?ts=1756328580 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799100/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1482250100.jpg?ts=1756328580 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Stacy Revere / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>How does Jonathan Toews look after two full seasons off? Every pundit under the sun noted the Jets' second-line center problem last season. Mark Scheifele at 1C and Adam Lowry at 3C - fantastic. But Vlad Namestnikov at 2C alongside Cole Perfetti and Nik Ehlers was underwhelming for a club with Cup aspirations like the Presidents' Trophy-winning Jets.GM Kevin Cheveldayoff may have found a short-term solution this offseason, inking Toews to a one-year, $2-million deal (which includes $3 million in potential bonuses). On the surface, the signing's a home run: A decorated Manitoban athlete returns home to help Winnipeg win its first Cup and his fourth personally. Hold on a second, though. Toews is 37 and has appeared in only 124 games since the start of the 2020-21 season - zero since April 2023! - due to health issues. He spent five weeks detoxing in India last year in an attempt to recover from long COVID and chronic inflammatory response syndrome.Assuming he doesn't encounter any setbacks, does Toews realistically settle in as an overqualified bottom-six center? Do the Jets roll with Scheifele-Namestnikov-Lowry-Toews down the middle and it works because Toews is well-insulated by the others?John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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1 question facing each Canadian NHL team as training camps near

This is Part 2 of a series ranking all 32 NHL teams by tiers for the 2025-26 season. Part 1 featu...

This is Part 2 of a series ranking all 32 NHL teams by tiers for the 2025-26 season. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3327804" href="https://thescore.com/news/3327804">Part 1</a> features the bottom 16 teams and was published Thursday.Keep in mind: This exercise rolls out a few weeks before training camps open, and tiers are based on personal projections for only the coming season, not each franchise's long-term trajectory. Tier 8 teams are furthest away from winning the 2026 Stanley Cup, while Tier 1 teams are closest. Teams are listed alphabetically within each tier.<h2>Tier 4: Moderately dangerous</h2>Probable playoff team unlikely to go on deep run<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Los Angeles Kings</h3>Ken Holland's first offseason as Kings general manager was uninspiring.The longtime NHL executive brought in Corey Perry and Joel Armia to replace Tanner Jeannot and Trevor Lewis at forward (fine); replaced Vladislav Gavrikov and Jordan Spence with Brian Dumoulin and Cody Ceci on defense (huge net negative); and replaced David Rittich with Anton Forsberg in goal (sure).The Kings' attack is slow and predictable. None of their moves fixed that issue.That said, Los Angeles does have enough quality players to secure a Western Conference playoff spot in what's expected to be Anze Kopitar's final season.<h3>Montreal Canadiens</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798805/cropped_GettyImages-2211418665.jpg?ts=1756121141" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798805/w220xh124_GettyImages-2211418665.jpg?ts=1756121141 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798805/w320xh180_GettyImages-2211418665.jpg?ts=1756121141 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798805/w640xh360_GettyImages-2211418665.jpg?ts=1756121141 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798805/w768xh432_GettyImages-2211418665.jpg?ts=1756121141 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798805/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2211418665.jpg?ts=1756121141 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Vitor Munhoz / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The Canadiens' rebuild has been executed to near perfection by president Jeff Gorton and GM Kent Hughes. But even a diehard fan would admit the club's 91 points and playoff berth in 2024-25 exceeded preseason expectations.That's the tricky part about projecting the 2025-26 Canadiens: weighing their immense upside against inevitable regression. Case in point, Nick Suzuki is a legitimate first-line center, but he may never post 89 points again. At the same time, Montreal's floor and ceiling are both higher now thanks to offseason trades for Noah Dobson and Zack Bolduc and developmental leaps by Juraj Slafkovsky, Ivan Demidov, Lane Hutson, and Kaiden Guhle.I'm super high on the Habs long term, and they're a playoff team this season.<h3>New Jersey Devils</h3>It's easy to doubt the Devils, a squad built around a superstar who's struggled to stay healthy. Jack Hughes missed 40 total regular-season games over the past two seasons and was sidelined for their first-round loss to Carolina.GM Tom Fitzgerald bolstered the bottom six of his forward group this summer; however, the lineup still needs one or two top-six wingers.As for the bull case ... Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt are elite, the defense corps is versatile, and Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen form an above-average netminding duo. If it all clicks on the ice, the relatively young Devils have plenty of prospects, draft capital, and cap space, which would allow them to add a significant piece midseason.<h3>New York Rangers</h3>The 2023-24 Rangers won the Presidents' Trophy and went on a deep playoff run. 2024-25 was a tumultuous, culture-changing year in which they made many transactions and missed the playoffs. The outcome of their 2025-26 season seems destined to end up somewhere between those two extremes.A high-level recap of the aggressive eight-month retool: Chris Kreider, Filip Chytil, Kaapo Kakko, Jacob Trouba, Ryan Lindgren, K'Andre Miller, and coach Peter Laviolette are out, while J.T. Miller, Juuso Parssinen, Vladislav Gavrikov, Scott Morrow, Will Borgen, Carson Soucy, and coach Mike Sullivan are in.I wouldn't say New York is dramatically better or worse, just refitted - while still icing difference-makers Artemi Panarin, Adam Fox, and Igor Shesterkin.<h3>St. Louis Blues</h3>The Blues don't have the sexiest roster and they aren't a serious Cup contender. But St. Louis has a fairly high floor under coach Jim Montgomery.The club went 35-18-7 last year following Montgomery's midseason hiring. The tactically sharp bench boss has an above-average first-line center at his disposal in Robert Thomas, who's very much in his prime. Free-agent signee Pius Suter should excel in the 3C spot behind Thomas and captain Brayden Schenn. Jordan Binnington and Joel Hofer are an adequate goalie duo.Hofer, Jimmy Snuggerud, Dylan Holloway, Jake Neighbours, and Philip Broberg all have intriguing upside cases. The Blues are a textbook solid team.<h3>Utah Mammoth</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798806/cropped_GettyImages-2187312278.jpg?ts=1756122702" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798806/w220xh124_GettyImages-2187312278.jpg?ts=1756122702 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798806/w320xh180_GettyImages-2187312278.jpg?ts=1756122702 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798806/w640xh360_GettyImages-2187312278.jpg?ts=1756122702 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798806/w768xh432_GettyImages-2187312278.jpg?ts=1756122702 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798806/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2187312278.jpg?ts=1756122702 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>In the 2024 edition of this exercise, I said Utah earning a 2025 playoff berth was a "coin flip." The team improved but finished seven points shy of the cutline.I'm eager to up the ante this time: The Mammoth are highly likely to make the playoffs, as this is the strongest Arizona/Utah roster in at least a decade.The attack features game-breakers in Clayton Keller, Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther, and JJ Peterka to go along with a reliable crew of workmanlike forwards. I'm not entirely sure what to expect from the defense corps - Michael Kesselring is gone, John Marino and Sean Durzi are healthy after combining for only 65 games played last season, and youngsters Dmitri Simashev and Maveric Lamoureux will battle for ice time. The Mammoth's goaltending is nothing special, but it's not a concern either. Andre Tourigny is an awesome coach.<h2>Tier 3: Scary at full potential</h2>Cup win within reason, though lots has to go right<h3>Tampa Bay Lightning</h3>The hockey world seems to have Lightning fatigue, which is understandable considering all the attention they've received through two Stanley Cup victories and two Cup Final losses in 11 seasons. But don't sleep on them out of boredom: They're dark-horse Cup contenders.The Jon Cooper-coached squad put up a plus-75 goal differential last season. Brayden Point between Jake Guentzel and Nikita Kucherov was arguably the top trio in hockey while second-liner Brandon Hagel recorded 90 points. Defenseman Victor Hedman and goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy turned back the clock.None of Tampa Bay's critical core pieces are especially young (Hagel, 26, is the youngest) or terribly old (Hedman's 34), so it's reasonable to expect similar results in 2025-26. Questionable depth is what holds this team back from Tier 2.<h3>Toronto Maple Leafs</h3>The Mitch Marner era is over. It was time for both parties to move on, and there's conceivably a world in which the Maple Leafs are better off without the dazzling playmaker over the course of a season. (His cap space has been reallocated to the likes of forwards Nicolas Roy, Matias Maccelli, and Dakota Joshua.)The forward group looks equipped to handle the rigors of playoff hockey, while the defense corps has also been reshaped to that end under GM Brad Treliving. Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll provide stability between the pipes. The Leafs own the NHL's longest active playoff streak - nine years, two total series wins - and will undoubtedly earn an Atlantic Division spot in 2025-26.Auston Matthews is a transcendent goal-scoring talent staring down two challenges: staying healthy all season and producing without Marner around.<h3>Washington Capitals</h3>The 2024-25 regular season was magical for the Capitals. Alex Ovechkin broke the all-time goals record, several players enjoyed career years (in part due to inflated shooting percentages), and the team accumulated 111 points. That will be hard, if not impossible, to replicate.Washington's front office turned over a third of the roster in the 2024 offseason but has been fairly quiet this offseason. That isn't necessarily a bad thing. Last year's performance had enough substance to justify largely standing pat, plus there's tons of runway to bring in reinforcements before the playoffs, which is why the team lands in Tier 3. A well-run organization with a rising star of a coach in Spencer Carbery, the Caps are primed to make noise once again.<h3>Winnipeg Jets</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798839/cropped_GettyImages-2214527023.jpg?ts=1756142225" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798839/w220xh124_GettyImages-2214527023.jpg?ts=1756142225 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798839/w320xh180_GettyImages-2214527023.jpg?ts=1756142225 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798839/w640xh360_GettyImages-2214527023.jpg?ts=1756142225 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798839/w768xh432_GettyImages-2214527023.jpg?ts=1756142225 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798839/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2214527023.jpg?ts=1756142225 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jonathan Kozub / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The reigning Presidents' Trophy-winning Jets, one of last season's biggest surprises, have become a "wake me up when ..." team. As in, wake me up when Connor Hellebuyck becomes a dependably clutch performer, because the world's finest goalie has underwhelmed in the playoffs for too many years.(For starters, Winnipeg should be reducing Hellebuyck's workload in the regular season. He shouldn't, under any circumstances, appear in 60 games.)Hellebuyck aside, the Jets are hoping someone like Cole Perfetti can take a sizable step forward offensively to compensate for the free-agency loss of fellow winger Nikolaj Ehlers. Winnipegger Jonathan Toews is back in the NHL after two full seasons off - a heartwarming story, but the circumstances make it impossible to pinpoint how impactful the 37-year-old will be in the second-line center spot.<h2>Tier 2: Secondary Cup favorites</h2>Elite, title-contending team with minor concerns<h3>Carolina Hurricanes</h3>Seven seasons of Rod Brind'Amour behind the bench. Seven postseason appearances, including three deep runs. Zero trips to the Cup Final.A lack of timely scoring and saves has continually held the Hurricanes back come playoff time. GM Eric Tulsky acquired dynamic winger Nikolaj Ehlers and rangy defenseman K'Andre Miller to help with the former and is running it back in goal with Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov. Did Tulsky do enough?It's a question that can't fairly be asked yet since Carolina loves to chase the biggest name available during the season (see: Jake Guentzel and Mikko Rantanen) and has $10.6 million in cap space and the futures to pull off another whopper. The Canes have put themselves in a favorable position to finally win the East.<h3>Colorado Avalanche</h3>Colorado doesn't have to worry about its marquee players. When healthy, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Gabriel Landeskog, and Devon Toews reliably perform at star/superstar levels.However, the front office clearly thought the supporting cast was insufficient. The Avalanche traded longtime core piece and pending free agent Mikko Rantanen in January as part of a flurry of moves aimed at deepening the lineup. Mackenzie Blackwood, Martin Necas, Jack Drury, Brock Nelson, and Scott Wedgewood were acquired midseason, while Victor Olofsson and Brent Burns were signed as free agents.It's safe to say the Avalanche narrowed the gap between their elite talents and the rest of the roster. It's too early to tell if they bet on all of the right players.<h3>Dallas Stars</h3>The Stars have been knocking at the door the past three seasons, advancing to the Western Conference Final each time. An optimist looks at Dallas' 2025-26 campaign and envisions them barreling through the door with superstar defenseman Miro Heiskanen healthy and superstar forward Mikko Rantanen fully settled in.Seriously, Heiskanen is a top-five defenseman on the planet (points aren’t everything!), and Rantanen is an absolute menace every spring (22 points in 18 playoff games last year following a trade out of Carolina to bring his career total to 123 in 99 games). The rest of the roster is a nice blend of veterans, mid-career guys, and rookies, the vast majority of them valuable contributors.The coaching change from Pete DeBoer to Glen Gulutzan and No. 1 goalie Jake Oettinger's mixed playoff results are keeping Dallas a tick below Tier 1.<h2>Tier 1: Primary Cup favorites</h2>Star-studded, deep, battle-tested - a cut above the rest<h3>Edmonton Oilers</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798840/cropped_GettyImages-2219113501.jpg?ts=1756142312" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798840/w220xh124_GettyImages-2219113501.jpg?ts=1756142312 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798840/w320xh180_GettyImages-2219113501.jpg?ts=1756142312 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798840/w640xh360_GettyImages-2219113501.jpg?ts=1756142312 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798840/w768xh432_GettyImages-2219113501.jpg?ts=1756142312 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798840/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2219113501.jpg?ts=1756142312 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Steph Chambers / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Leon Draisaitl turns 30 in October. Connor McDavid is 29 in January.The Oilers may have a bunch more chances to challenge for the Stanley Cup (assuming McDavid signs a contract extension), but every playoff run adds mileage to a generational duo that's no longer young. No team in the NHL is in title-or-bust mode like back-to-back finals loser Edmonton.GM Stan Bowman acquired Isaac Howard and Andrew Mangiapane - two quality bets - this offseason to help the attack, but he otherwise kept his powder dry. I don't love the idea of the Oilers entering such an important season with Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard in goal, though they can still upgrade the position (and bring in another defenseman) in the months ahead.<h3>Florida Panthers</h3>Florida is gunning for a fourth straight trip to the Cup Final and third Cup in a row. Does that seem too ambitious? Doubt the Panthers at your own peril.After re-signing Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, and Aaron Ekblad, the Panthers are returning roughly the same squad that beat the Oilers in six games in late June. GM Bill Zito has invested heavily in his winning core, with seven forwards and three defensemen now under contract through 2029-30.Star winger Matthew Tkachuk will miss the start of the campaign following offseason surgery, but that's no reason to drop Florida to Tier 2. No matter which playoff spot the Panthers grab, they'll be a force to be reckoned with.<h3>Vegas Golden Knights</h3>The calculus for slotting the Golden Knights in Tier 1 is pretty simple: An ultra-aggressive front office added one of the league's best forwards to a well-coached team that was already rich in talent, led by the excellent Jack Eichel.Yes, defenseman Alex Pietrangelo is all but retired (big blow), and role players Nicolas Roy, Nicolas Hague, and Victor Olofsson are gone (minor blow). But Vegas shouldn't miss a step, though there is an elephant in the room: Can Mitch Marner pop off in the playoffs for the first time in a decade?The Golden Knights won the Cup in 2022-23, lost in the first round the next year, and got ousted by the Oilers in five games in the second round last season. If all goes according to plan, Vegas will get back to going on deep runs.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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Ranking NHL teams by tiers: The top 16

This is Part 1 of a two-part series ranking all 32 NHL teams by tiers for the 2025-26 season. Par...

This is Part 1 of a two-part series ranking all 32 NHL teams by tiers for the 2025-26 season. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3327805" href="https://thescore.com/news/3327805">Part 2</a>, featuring the top 16 teams, was published Friday.Keep in mind: This exercise rolls out a few weeks before training camps open, and tiers are based on personal projections for only the coming season, not each franchise's long-term trajectory. Tier 8 teams are furthest away from winning the 2026 Stanley Cup, while Tier 1 teams are closest. Teams are listed alphabetically within each tier.<h2>Tier 8: Worst of the worst</h2>In league of their own - and not in good way<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Chicago Blackhawks</h3>When I look at Chicago's roster, I see a forward group with a single top-line forward in Connor Bedard, a promising yet very green back end led by Alex Vlasic, and an unproven goalie brimming with potential in Spencer Knight.In other words, I see a team headed straight for the Central Division's basement for the fourth straight year - and thus favorable draft lottery odds.Blackhawks fans will still be hooked on the on-ice product. Top storylines include Bedard's goal output (only 23 in 82 games last year as a sophomore), center Frank Nazar's development (the recently extended 21-year-old attended the United States' Olympic summer camp), and coach Jeff Blashill's impact.<h3>San Jose Sharks</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798203/cropped_GettyImages-2192216933.jpg?ts=1755708083" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798203/w220xh124_GettyImages-2192216933.jpg?ts=1755708083 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798203/w320xh180_GettyImages-2192216933.jpg?ts=1755708083 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798203/w640xh360_GettyImages-2192216933.jpg?ts=1755708083 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798203/w768xh432_GettyImages-2192216933.jpg?ts=1755708083 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798203/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2192216933.jpg?ts=1755708083 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The Sharks finished 2023-24 with the worst goal differential in the salary cap era: a putrid minus-150 over a miserable 19-win season. Last year, the rebuilding club improved ever so slightly to a minus-105 differential and 20 wins.Expect much of the same this coming season - a tiny step in the right direction for a young core that's years away from contending for a playoff spot.San Jose drafted Will Smith (fourth overall in 2023), Macklin Celebrini (first in 2024), and Michael Misa (second in 2025) in the past three years. The front office has once again set itself up for a top-five pick. Gavin McKenna, future Shark?<h2>Tier 7: Heavy roster construction</h2>Walkover most nights, potential standings free fall<h3>New York Islanders</h3>The Islanders are in an interesting spot.They selected franchise cornerstone Matthew Schaefer first overall in June after unexpectedly winning the draft lottery. Their top decision-maker, Mathieu Darche, is a first-time GM tasked with performing major surgery on a middling roster. He has runway, and the hefty return for Noah Dobson was a nice start.The challenge is in choosing an appropriate path. Darche could strip the roster down to the studs by trading the likes of Bo Horvat and Mat Barzal, or opt for a less drastic rebuild, or retool to remain semi-competitive every year.No matter the choice, New York won't be winning many games in 2025-26.<h3>Pittsburgh Penguins</h3>There's a decent chance the Penguins end up with the NHL's worst record. Yet here they are in Tier 7 instead of Tier 8 for two reasons.One, it's difficult to project the kind of drop-off we'll see from 38-year-old Sidney Crosby, 39-year-old Evgeni Malkin, and 39-year-old Kris Letang. (In Crosby's case, maybe none at all?) Two, it's hard to predict how active GM Kyle Dubas will be on the trade market, with Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell headlining a group of veteran contributors attached to digestible contracts.As much as the hockey world would like to see Crosby chase another Cup, he'd have to slip on another jersey first. The Penguins are not a playoff team.<h2>Tier 6: Notch below playoffs</h2>2025-26 won't be a banner season, for various reasons<h3>Boston Bruins</h3>On one hand, Boston has an elite player at three positions - winger David Pastrnak, blue-liner Charlie McAvoy, goalie Jeremy Swayman.On the other hand, the Bruins have arguably the NHL's worst collection of centers (1C Elias Lindholm and 2C Casey Mittelstadt), no wingers of note beyond Morgan Geekie, and a talent cliff on defense after Hampus Lindholm.Squint hard enough and you can see GM Don Sweeney's grand vision of rebuilding around those three late-20s stars. In the short term, this squad is, at best, mediocre. The Bruins will struggle mightily to score goals.<h3>Buffalo Sabres</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798374/cropped_GettyImages-2207044019.jpg?ts=1755803804" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798374/w220xh124_GettyImages-2207044019.jpg?ts=1755803804 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798374/w320xh180_GettyImages-2207044019.jpg?ts=1755803804 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798374/w640xh360_GettyImages-2207044019.jpg?ts=1755803804 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798374/w768xh432_GettyImages-2207044019.jpg?ts=1755803804 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798374/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2207044019.jpg?ts=1755803804 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bill Wippert / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>I originally placed the Sabres in Tier 5, moved them back to Tier 6, U-turned to 5 again, and finally settled on 6. The flip-flopping was a product of liking but not loving the roster while debating the strength of the Eastern Conference.It'd be fantastic if Buffalo rewarded its tortured fan base by snapping a league-record drought of 14 seasons. I believe in a lot of their players (Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin are both criminally underrated) and, to some degree, coach Lindy Ruff. However, there are only eight playoff spots in each conference, and on paper, the Sabres are in the 9-12 range in the messy East.Part of that projection is based on the Dylan Cozens and JJ Peterka trades aging poorly. Peterka in particular will pop off in his new home, Utah.<h3>Calgary Flames</h3>The Flames are one of the toughest teams to get a firm handle on.Last season, they surprised a lot of people, including me, by collecting 96 points and narrowly missing the playoffs. Dustin Wolf, who finished second in Calder Trophy voting, is a certified stud between the pipes. Core forwards Connor Zary, Matt Coronato, and Joel Farabee are still developing. Coach Ryan Huska's lineup card is filled with competent, high-intensity players.What Calgary's sorely missing is a superstar (or two). Maybe dazzling 19-year-old blue-liner Zayne Parekh blossoms into one. But the club would be better off in the long run if it chased draft lottery odds over a playoff spot in 2025-26.<h3>Nashville Predators</h3>The big question for the Predators: Was last year's 30-win showing a one-off train wreck, or actual proof GM Barry Trotz swung for the fences and struck out?In July 2024, Trotz bet on pedigree and veteran savvy when he handed high-profile free agents Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei a combined $108.5 million. The first season of the multi-year experiment yielded underwhelming stats, eyebrow-raising soundbites, and endless frustration.It wouldn't be a massive shock if the Preds bounce back and enjoy a 40-win season. That said, we can't gloss over the fact that all of the club's difference-makers are 30 or older - from the 2024 signees to Ryan O'Reilly, Juuse Saros, Roman Josi, and Filip Forsberg. Older players typically decline, not level up.Translation: Things could get worse before they get better in Nashville.<h3>Philadelphia Flyers</h3>I liked the Rick Tocchet coaching hire. I liked the Trevor Zegras acquisition a lot. I think Matvei Michkov is going to have a monster sophomore season.But I simply can't take the Flyers seriously until they figure out their goaltending. Samuel Ersson (45 starts), Ivan Fedotov (24), and Aleksei Kolosov (13) combined for a .872 save percentage in 2024-25. That was the lowest SV% of the cap era, and the painful display wasn't a fluke: Philadelphia has finished 32nd out of 32 teams in save percentage in three of the past five seasons.The 2025-26 tandem will be Ersson and free-agent signee Dan Vladar. It's a minor upgrade (Vladar is fairly dependable) but far from a satisfying solution.<h3>Seattle Kraken</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798380/cropped_GettyImages-2207286295.jpg?ts=1755805143" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798380/w220xh124_GettyImages-2207286295.jpg?ts=1755805143 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798380/w320xh180_GettyImages-2207286295.jpg?ts=1755805143 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798380/w640xh360_GettyImages-2207286295.jpg?ts=1755805143 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798380/w768xh432_GettyImages-2207286295.jpg?ts=1755805143 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798380/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2207286295.jpg?ts=1755805143 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Ryan Sirius Sun / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Seattle lands in Tier 6 because of the many what-ifs circling its playoff case.What if youngsters Matty Beniers, Shane Wright, and Kaapo Kakko all make enormous developmental leaps? What if second-line center Chandler Stephenson lives up to his inefficient contract? What if starter Joey Daccord plays at a Vezina Trophy-caliber level? What if new coach Lane Lambert squeezes every bit of value out of a decidedly mid roster?Fat chance all, or even most of, these what-ifs hit for the Kraken.Pending free agents Jaden Schwartz, Mason Marchment, Eeli Tolvanen, Jordan Eberle, and Jamie Oleksiak give GM Jason Botterill trade ammunition.<h2>Tier 5: Standings purgatory</h2>Legitimate shot at playoff spot, if stars align<h3>Anaheim Ducks</h3>Anaheim, last a playoff team when Randy Carlyle was behind the bench in 2018, is starting to turn a corner. The top six up front, top four on the blue line, and No. 1 goalie spots have solidified following years of uncertainty. Plus, Joel Quenneville will be a significant upgrade on Greg Cronin at coach.The Ducks leaped from 59 points in 2023-24 to 80 last season. They should tack on 10 or so points this season thanks mainly to internal growth. (Cutter Gauthier, Leo Carlsson, Mason McTavish, Jackson LaCombe, Olen Zellweger, Pavel Mintyukov, and Lukas Dostal are all 25 years old or younger.) I don't see a very high ceiling for this club, though - maybe 95 points. Will that be enough?It's a complete toss-up if Anaheim makes the playoffs.<h3>Columbus Blue Jackets</h3>Columbus is basically the Anaheim of the Eastern Conference. The Blue Jackets have inched closer to becoming legitimately competitive every passing offseason and can now finally ice a lineup capable of ending a lengthy playoff drought.The Blue Jackets' path to the postseason is murkier than the Ducks', however. For starters, if the Rangers return to form, the Metropolitan Division will have four playoff-worthy clubs (Hurricanes, Devils, Capitals, Rangers) battling for three spots. Also, the super-deep Atlantic could gobble up both East wild cards.These dynamics put pressure on Columbus to tack 7-10 points onto last season's 89-point output. The team has enough emergent talent - namely Adam Fantilli, Kent Johnson, and Kirill Marchenko - to pull it off.<h3>Detroit Red Wings</h3>This is a massive season for the Red Wings, who haven't competed in a playoff game since 2016. Fans have grown impatient with GM Steve Yzerman.It's true, the so-called Yzerplan has involved a long list of questionable transactions, especially over the past few years. But June's acquisition of John Gibson from Anaheim was a win. A Gibson-Cam Talbot tandem should make goaltending a tangible strength for a club that's banking on sizable jumps from early-20s skaters like Lucas Raymond, Moritz Seider, Marco Kasper, and Simon Edvinsson in order to snatch one of the East wild cards.Todd McLellan, who's entering his first full season in Detroit, is a solid coach. Bonus: Yzerman has $12 million in cap space to spend on reinforcements.<h3>Minnesota Wild</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798378/cropped_GettyImages-2209405979.jpg?ts=1755804313" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798378/w220xh124_GettyImages-2209405979.jpg?ts=1755804313 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798378/w320xh180_GettyImages-2209405979.jpg?ts=1755804313 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798378/w640xh360_GettyImages-2209405979.jpg?ts=1755804313 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798378/w768xh432_GettyImages-2209405979.jpg?ts=1755804313 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798378/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2209405979.jpg?ts=1755804313 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Stephen Maturen / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The Wild have made the postseason in 11 of the past 13 years. After more or less running it back, they'll challenge again for a playoff spot in 2025-26.Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy, and Brock Faber provide the star power and the likes of Ryan Hartman, Marcus Foligno, and Jared Spurgeon check off the reliable-veteran box. What's missing from coach John Hynes' lineup card is a high-impact second tier. The likes of Joel Eriksson Ek, Filip Gustavsson, Mats Zuccarello, Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, and Jacob Middleton need to level up.If that second tier can't provide surplus value, the Wild are easy first-round fodder - or worse, one Kaprizov injury from missing the playoffs.<h3>Ottawa Senators</h3>Canada's capital city is optimistic about its hockey team - and rightfully so. The Senators took a massive step forward in 2024-25 and, despite not making any big splashes this summer, boast an extremely well-balanced roster.Ottawa has a nice mix of snipers, passers, and worker bees in a forward group that needs to finish its chances more often, having scored the second-fewest five-on-five goals last season. The blue line has a ton of potential with pairings of Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub, Thomas Chabot and Nick Jensen, and Tyler Kleven and Jordan Spence. Linus Ullmark is a top-10 NHL goalie.The Sens are slightly ahead of the Wings in the Atlantic Division pecking order.<h3>Vancouver Canucks</h3>Vancouver's best forward, Elias Pettersson, has been a shell of his former self since signing an eight-year, $92.8-million contract extension. A season-plus in, he's closer to you-are-what-you-are territory than bounce-back candidate.The forward group, in general, leaves something to be desired. (Filip Chytil, a perfectly respectable third-line center, will line up behind Pettersson in the 2C slot - not ideal!) Meanwhile, it's difficult to predict starting goalie Thatcher Demko's performance given his poor injury luck in recent years.Vegas, Edmonton, and Los Angeles are the top teams in the Pacific Division. Vancouver, led by superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes, will battle Anaheim and a few Central teams (St. Louis, Utah, Minnesota) for a wild card spot. John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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Ranking NHL teams by tiers: The bottom 16

The NHL offseason has slowed to a crawl, and yet it feels like an abnormally high volume of notab...

The NHL offseason has slowed to a crawl, and yet it feels like an abnormally high volume of notable players remains in some version of limbo. We check in on the uncertainty and add key context to all the unfinished business.<h3>Jason Robertson, Stars</h3>Dallas is a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. Robertson is the club's best left winger. Why, then, is his name popping up in the NHL rumor mill?The Stars are in a sticky salary-cap situation with lots of money and term dedicated to core pieces while Robertson, a 2026 restricted free agent, looks to cash in too. Mikko Rantanen, Wyatt Johnston, Roope Hintz, Miro Heiskanen, and Jake Oettinger will make a combined $45.6 million annually for the rest of the decade, and rising star Thomas Harley can sign an extension any time.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794704/cropped_GettyImages-2209988370.jpg?ts=1752779907" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794704/w220xh124_GettyImages-2209988370.jpg?ts=1752779907 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794704/w320xh180_GettyImages-2209988370.jpg?ts=1752779907 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794704/w640xh360_GettyImages-2209988370.jpg?ts=1752779907 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794704/w768xh432_GettyImages-2209988370.jpg?ts=1752779907 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794704/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2209988370.jpg?ts=1752779907 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Sam Hodde / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Having too many high-quality 20-something players is a textbook "champagne problem." It's nonetheless one Stars general manager Jim Nill must solve somehow, whether or not he keeps Robertson.A cerebral playmaker, Robertson followed up a 109-point 2022-23 with back-to-back seasons of 82 games, 80 points, and defensive improvements. He's due for a hefty raise from the $7.8 million he'll make this coming season.The Stars hold all the cards and could choose to hang onto Robertson for two years. But they've also got a proactive front office that's surely debating the trade option. The Maple Leafs, Kings, and Red Wings come to mind as good stylistic fits.<h3>Rasmus Andersson, Flames</h3>Andersson is a physical, minute-munching right-shot defenseman who blocks shots, kills penalties, and can move the puck. His cap hit of $4.6 million is tremendous value and his no-trade list is limited to six teams.Flames GM Craig Conroy should be sifting through a stack of offers. But Andersson, a 2026 unrestricted free agent, has his sights set on landing in Las Vegas, reports <a href="https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/insider-trading-mitch-marner-s-move-to-vegas-florida-panthers-masterclass-steals-the-spotlight-1.2329486">TSN's Pierre LeBrun</a>. That information becoming public diminishes Conroy's leverage.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794811/cropped_GettyImages-2208238486.jpg?ts=1752864674" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794811/w220xh124_GettyImages-2208238486.jpg?ts=1752864674 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794811/w320xh180_GettyImages-2208238486.jpg?ts=1752864674 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794811/w640xh360_GettyImages-2208238486.jpg?ts=1752864674 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794811/w768xh432_GettyImages-2208238486.jpg?ts=1752864674 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794811/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2208238486.jpg?ts=1752864674 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jamie Sabau / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Calgary could trade Andersson to one of the other 30 teams, but the return package would likely be underwhelming because everybody's aware of the Golden Knights connection. Or Conroy could send him to Vegas, where there's an opening on the top pair after Alex Pietrangelo announced he'll be sidelined for the foreseeable future (or perhaps permanently) due to a major injury.Even with Pietrangelo's contract on injured reserve, however, Vegas is in a cap crunch and will be prioritizing an extension for stud center and fellow 2026 UFA Jack Eichel. Complicating matters is the fact that Conroy didn't get a home-run return in the 2024 Noah Hanifin trade with the Golden Knights.It's probably best for Calgary to wait until the season starts to see what Andersson (with some salary retained) can fetch as a rental for a non-Vegas team.<h3>Connor McDavid, Oilers</h3>How's this for strange times: Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid both have uncertain futures. Yes, Crosby most likely sticks it out in Pittsburgh and retires as a Penguin. But there's a nonzero chance the soon-to-be 38-year-old gets fed up with losing and opts to chase a fourth Cup in another uniform.The chances of McDavid leaving Edmonton are higher - although, like Crosby, the smart money's on him staying loyal to his only NHL home.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794705/cropped_GettyImages-2219070656.jpg?ts=1752780181" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794705/w220xh124_GettyImages-2219070656.jpg?ts=1752780181 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794705/w320xh180_GettyImages-2219070656.jpg?ts=1752780181 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794705/w640xh360_GettyImages-2219070656.jpg?ts=1752780181 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794705/w768xh432_GettyImages-2219070656.jpg?ts=1752780181 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794705/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2219070656.jpg?ts=1752780181 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Steph Chambers / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>McDavid's been eligible to sign an extension with the Oilers since July 1, and it's July 21. That alone is significant given what's at stake for the franchise and a generational player dying to win his first championship. McDavid, who's about to enter his 11th season, could be digesting a second straight Cup Final loss. Or waiting to see what management has up its sleeve in terms of late roster upgrades. Or considering an exit. Or a combination of all three.Training camp doesn't start for two months, and McDavid isn't a free agent until next summer. Oilers brass would be happy to hand him a blank check, so money isn't the issue. In other words, it's no time to panic in Edmonton. But ... until No. 97 puts pen to paper, the idea of him playing elsewhere remains real.<h3>Mason McTavish, Ducks</h3>McTavish is an RFA who slots in nicely behind Leo Carlsson on Anaheim's center depth chart. He should command around $7 million annually on a long-term deal - a palatable cap hit for a team with $21 million available.But GM Pat Verbeek has made a habit of grinding players down during extension talks. Just ask Troy Terry, Trevor Zegras (traded within two years of signing his second contract), and Jamie Drysdale (gone within 15 months).July is "probably the most that Mason McTavish has been available," insider Jeff Marek said July 11 on the <a href="https://x.com/sekeresandprice/status/1943765386325111109/">"Sekeres &amp; Price"</a> show. "And if he is available? Start the lineup of teams that are looking for a second-line center."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794814/cropped_GettyImages-2178805801.jpg?ts=1752865030" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794814/w220xh124_GettyImages-2178805801.jpg?ts=1752865030 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794814/w320xh180_GettyImages-2178805801.jpg?ts=1752865030 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794814/w640xh360_GettyImages-2178805801.jpg?ts=1752865030 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794814/w768xh432_GettyImages-2178805801.jpg?ts=1752865030 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794814/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2178805801.jpg?ts=1752865030 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Available, in this case, means via trade or offer sheet. While the Ducks would likely match any contract McTavish signs with a rival (mainly because they don't need the draft-pick compensation), it's still an interesting situation to monitor. Last year's offer-sheet drama between St. Louis and Edmonton went down in mid-August.McTavish would be a great add for the Canadiens, Flames, or Blackhawks.The 21-year-old is probably best known to casual fans as the guy who made an <a href="https://x.com/RobTheHockeyGuy/status/1561183883164393473">unbelievable defensive effort</a> in the gold-medal game of the 2022 world juniors. The 2021 third overall pick is 6-foot-1 and 219 pounds. He's effective in the faceoff circle and has some power-play utility as a dual-threat option.<h3>Marco Rossi, Wild</h3>The Wild and Rossi shouldn't be having any trouble hammering out an extension.Rossi, an RFA turning 24 in September, recorded the second-most points on the team last season (60 in 82 games). The smart, skilled, highly competitive 5-foot-9 Austrian is a homegrown top-six center. Minnesota has $10 million in cap space and no other significant spots to fill to finalize its 2025-26 roster.Problems lurk below the surface, however. Coach John Hynes demoted Rossi to the fourth line in the playoffs, dropping his nightly usage from 18 minutes in the regular season to 11 in the first-round series loss to Vegas. GM Bill Guerin's top to-do list item at the moment is to lock up Kirill Kaprizov. The superstar winger, who's been eligible for an extension since July 1, is due for Leon Draisaitl-type money (around $14 million average annual value) starting in 2026-27.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794703/cropped_GettyImages-2210019439.jpg?ts=1752779742" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794703/w220xh124_GettyImages-2210019439.jpg?ts=1752779742 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794703/w320xh180_GettyImages-2210019439.jpg?ts=1752779742 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794703/w640xh360_GettyImages-2210019439.jpg?ts=1752779742 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794703/w768xh432_GettyImages-2210019439.jpg?ts=1752779742 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794703/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2210019439.jpg?ts=1752779742 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Ellen Schmidt / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Guerin <a href="https://www.startribune.com/wild-havent-signed-marco-rossi-yet-but-they-hold-the-hammer/601413796">has said</a> there's no rush to sign, trade, or match an offer sheet for Rossi. If he stays, a short-term extension makes sense, since it gives both player and team flexibility. If he leaves, a trade is far more likely than an offer sheet.Half of the league could use a second-line center, and Rossi still has upside.The Hurricanes desperately need to upgrade at 2C (Jesperi Kotkaniemi isn't going to cut it) and have plenty of cap space. Ditto for the Sabres, who picked Jack Quinn one spot before Rossi went to the Wild in the 2020 draft. Mammoth bench boss Andre Tourigny coached Rossi in junior, and they don't have as much wiggle room, but trading top-six winger Nick Schmaltz (plus a pick) could make the math work. Guerin wants to make a so-called "hockey trade" here.<h3>Tristan Jarry and Erik Karlsson, Penguins</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794796/cropped_GettyImages-2209151009.jpg?ts=1752856285" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794796/w220xh124_GettyImages-2209151009.jpg?ts=1752856285 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794796/w320xh180_GettyImages-2209151009.jpg?ts=1752856285 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794796/w640xh360_GettyImages-2209151009.jpg?ts=1752856285 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794796/w768xh432_GettyImages-2209151009.jpg?ts=1752856285 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794796/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2209151009.jpg?ts=1752856285 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The rebuilding Penguins are the NHL's designated seller ahead of the season.Forwards Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust will dominate every trade-bait board on the internet until they're moved. Jarry and Karlsson, meanwhile, are Pittsburgh's less obvious but ultimately more interesting trade chips.GM Kyle Dubas recently created a goalie logjam by acquiring AHL playoff MVP Arturs Silovs. The presences of Silovs and the promising Joel Blomqvist make Jarry expendable. The Oilers, for one, might view the 30-year-old former All-Star with a career save percentage of .909 as a worthwhile gamble. A Jarry-Stuart Skinner tandem beats another year of Skinner-Calvin Pickard if Edmonton can add Jarry on a reduced cap hit ($5.4 million).A Karlsson trade could be tricky to finalize, but the market for his services is probably more robust than Jarry's. The Pens would again need to retain salary as Karlsson's cap hit is $10 million for two years. Then Dubas would need to convince the three-time Norris Trophy winner to waive his no-move clause. Both hurdles can be cleared. Karlsson is a desirable asset at $5 million. The Swede looked rejuvenated during 4 Nations Face-Off action, and without a Cup at 35, he should be motivated to assume a smaller role on a contender.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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Unfinished business: 7 players to watch in back half of NHL offseason

Welcome to NHL Inbox, a monthly forum in which readers can ask me anything hockey-related, and I try my best to deliver an insightful answer.Note: the questions below were lightly edited for clarity and brevity.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><center>                    </center></figure><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794555/cropped_GettyImages-2159835493.jpg?ts=1752684415" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794555/w220xh124_GettyImages-2159835493.jpg?ts=1752684415 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794555/w320xh180_GettyImages-2159835493.jpg?ts=1752684415 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794555/w640xh360_GettyImages-2159835493.jpg?ts=1752684415 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794555/w768xh432_GettyImages-2159835493.jpg?ts=1752684415 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794555/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2159835493.jpg?ts=1752684415 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Dave Sandford / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>T.J. asks: Out of the Sharks, Blackhawks, Ducks, Red Wings, and Sabres, which team is on track for the most successful rebuild? Which team or teams have had the least successful rebuilds and have to restart? Is there a specific formula for a successful rebuild? If so, which factors are most important?<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>San Jose is the winner here.General manager Mike Grier has continually turned old core pieces (Tomas Hertl, Brent Burns) and established NHLers who don't factor into the long-term plan (Jake Walman, Mackenzie Blackwood) into futures. The payoff: tons of draft capital, a stacked prospect pool, and a clean cap sheet. Most crucially, Grier has assembled an enviable under-24 core headlined by Macklin Celebrini, Michael Misa, Will Smith, Sam Dickinson, and Yaroslav Askarov. Ryan Warsofsky, promoted to head coach last summer, is the right leader.The Sharks have laid such a strong foundation that something would have to go horribly wrong for them not to emerge as a top 10 NHL team in 5-10 years.The Red Wings and Sabres are at the other end of the spectrum. Detroit's timeline stagnated in large part due to GM Steve Yzerman's poor free-agent signings in three consecutive offseasons (2022-24). Buffalo, whose all-time playoff drought has reached 14 seasons, occupies a unique position in the league. The roster looks capable of claiming a wild-card spot, but the stink of the past and empty seats have led to shortcuts in the team-building process.As for a rebuilding formula, there's no magical one-size-fits-all approach.However, a few things stand out: <ul>
<li>You must hit home runs on high first-round picks</li>
<li>You must give young NHLers runway to develop</li>
<li>You must avoid long-term contracts for veterans</li>
</ul>There's one giant caveat to this entire discussion: luck plays a significant role. It's extremely helpful if the bottoming-out portion of your rebuild aligns with a strong draft class and even more fortuitous if lottery balls bounce your way.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><center>                    </center></figure><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794572/cropped_GettyImages-2191985985.jpg?ts=1752691728" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794572/w220xh124_GettyImages-2191985985.jpg?ts=1752691728 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794572/w320xh180_GettyImages-2191985985.jpg?ts=1752691728 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794572/w640xh360_GettyImages-2191985985.jpg?ts=1752691728 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794572/w768xh432_GettyImages-2191985985.jpg?ts=1752691728 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794572/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2191985985.jpg?ts=1752691728 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Chase Agnello-Dean / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Andrew D. asks: How can the Blackhawks improve next season, as they haven't improved at all since drafting Connor Bedard? Do you think GM Kyle Davidson should be gone? Let's start with the second question: No, Davidson shouldn't be gone.Chicago finished with 61 points in 2024-25, a nine-point improvement on Bedard's rookie season. That's not a huge leap, but it's a step forward. Big picture, Davidson has constructed a promising blue line, acquired a starting goalie in Spencer Knight, and taken swings on high-upside forwards early in the draft.He gets a B-minus grade for his full body of work since March 2022.That said, ownership should be asking Davidson a few tough questions at this point in the rebuild, including: "How are you going to keep Bedard, who's currently eligible for a contract extension, happy in 2025-26 and beyond?"I count only one top-line forward on the Hawks' current roster, and it's Bedard. While GMs should never recklessly chase short-term fixes to long-term problems, Davidson needs to add offensive juice to his forward group. Youngsters Frank Nazar and Oliver Moore look primed to blossom into impact NHLers one day; they don't qualify as proper Bedard running mates right now.Davidson has ammunition to acquire a legitimate top-six forward in the form of two first-round picks and three seconds in the much-hyped 2026 draft. Chicago's own 2026 first should be off-limits (it could be Gavin McKenna!). However, the club's other first, originally Florida's and likely to land late in the first round, is more expendable. Many clubs will also be interested in those seconds.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><center>                    </center></figure><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794651/cropped_GettyImages-144086912.jpg?ts=1752761087" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794651/w220xh124_GettyImages-144086912.jpg?ts=1752761087 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794651/w320xh180_GettyImages-144086912.jpg?ts=1752761087 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794651/w640xh360_GettyImages-144086912.jpg?ts=1752761087 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794651/w768xh432_GettyImages-144086912.jpg?ts=1752761087 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794651/w1080xh607_GettyImages-144086912.jpg?ts=1752761087 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Denis Brodeur / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Bowenable asks: What are the three most unknown rules in hockey? I scanned the NHL's 234-page rulebook and didn't find much that would fall under "most unknown." However, there are some quirky rules worth sharing.Rule 9.2 pertains to jersey numbers. I knew fractions, decimals, and triple digits were banned, but I didn't realize zero and double zero were also on the can't-wear list. Defenseman Neil Sheehy was the last player to wear No. 0, and goalie Martin Biron was the last to rock No. 00. The NHL banned both numbers in 1996-97, which means a player today has the option of wearing Nos. 1 through 98 (Wayne Gretzky's 99 is retired across the league).Rule 10.1 is about sticks, including maximum length. "No stick shall exceed 63 inches in length from the heel to the end of the shaft," it reads, "nor more than 12.5 inches from the heel to the end of the blade." What's interesting here is that players can submit a request for a length exemption, but only if they're 6-foot-6 or taller. This tells me the NHL unofficially considers 6-foot-6 not just tall but the start of the freakishly tall tier. Zdeno Chara, 6-foot-9 in shoes and 7-feet on skates, famously used a 67-inch stick.Rule 10.4 deals with broken goalie sticks. Did you know that, unlike a forward or defenseman, "a goalkeeper may continue to play with a broken stick until a stoppage of play or until he has one legally provided to him" by a teammate?Rule 66.1 covers forfeited games. There hasn't been a forfeit in the NHL in 70 years. But, if a game is indeed declared forfeited before puck drop, the final score will be 1-0, and "no player shall be credited with any personal statistics."<figure class="article-segment--embed"><center>                    </center></figure><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794678/cropped_GettyImages-2213353057.jpg?ts=1752767057" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794678/w220xh124_GettyImages-2213353057.jpg?ts=1752767057 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794678/w320xh180_GettyImages-2213353057.jpg?ts=1752767057 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794678/w640xh360_GettyImages-2213353057.jpg?ts=1752767057 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794678/w768xh432_GettyImages-2213353057.jpg?ts=1752767057 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794678/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2213353057.jpg?ts=1752767057 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Tyler Tate / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Gary T. asks: With the speculation about two expansion teams coming soon, thus bringing the number of NHL teams to 34, what do you consider too many teams? Do you think the NHL or other North American leagues would move to a tiered/relegation-type system like in European soccer at some point?I think 32 is ideal because it means 16 teams per conference, with eight of 16 making the playoffs. Plus, the on-ice product is superb in 2025, boasting a near-perfect blend of speed, skill, scoring, defending, and rough stuff.While I understand why the NHL is open to expanding again ($$$), jumping from 32 to 34 teams feels riskier than leaping from 30 to 32, especially when paired with the 84-game schedule coming in 2026-27. The talent pool would be further diluted, and it'd be a chore to keep up with activity across the league. Fans aren't asking for any of this."The game is growing and there's more countries playing and producing high-end players, so maybe overall there's a bigger talent pool to draw from and that balances everything out," former Canucks assistant GM Chris Gear told me for a <a href="https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2801816">2024 story</a> about expansion. "But, I do think you want to be careful. If you expand too many times, too quickly - before that pool of players broadens enough - you might just be watering down the league a little bit."The NHL won't move to a tiered/relegation-type system for many reasons. First and foremost, the pro hockey infrastructure is too weak. AHL and ECHL teams don't have big enough fan bases or arenas to support promotions.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><center>                    </center></figure><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794664/cropped_GettyImages-2186526428.jpg?ts=1752764878" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794664/w220xh124_GettyImages-2186526428.jpg?ts=1752764878 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794664/w320xh180_GettyImages-2186526428.jpg?ts=1752764878 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794664/w640xh360_GettyImages-2186526428.jpg?ts=1752764878 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794664/w768xh432_GettyImages-2186526428.jpg?ts=1752764878 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/794664/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2186526428.jpg?ts=1752764878 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Mark Blinch / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Matt H. asks: With the salary cap finally rising significantly, will the gap be bridged between the teams in the lower-tax states (Florida, Texas, etc.) and the higher-grossing teams (Toronto, New York, etc.)? From a team-building perspective, will it level the playing field in free agency?We're in for a ride: The cap is increasing from $88 million in 2024-25 to $95.5 million in 2025-26 to $104 million in 2026-27 to $113.5 million in 2027-28.That's a $25.5 million jump over four seasons - unprecedented growth.Clubs with owners willing to spend to the upper limit of the cap every season, no matter what, should benefit greatly during this stretch because not every owner can afford to go all out financially all the time. (We already see this with signing bonuses: the teams willing to pay out a large chunk of a player's earnings in bonuses have a distinct advantage.) The contrast will likely be most noticeable among rebuilding teams, where the richest will still spend plenty of money, but the poorest will struggle to hit the cap's floor.Yes, it'll help bridge the gap between teams in low-tax areas and teams in high-tax areas. But I also believe that the entire tax discourse is overblown.Having more of your paycheck end up in your bank account is a major factor, yet by no means the only meaningful one for unrestricted free agents.Do you have a chance to win a Stanley Cup? Do you like the owner, GM, and head coach? Will you have a prominent on-ice role? Are the facilities first class? Are your aging parents somewhat close? How are the nearby schools? Weather?<figure class="article-segment--embed"><center>                    </center></figure>What do you want to know, hockey fans?There are three ways to submit a question for future NHL Inbox editions:<ul>
<li>Comment on this article in theScore app</li>
<li>Email senior NHL writer John Matisz at <a href="mailto:john.matisz@theScore.com">john.matisz@thescore.com</a>
</li>
<li>Send John a message on X (<a href="https://x.com/MatiszJohn">@matiszjohn</a>)</li>
</ul>

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NHL Inbox: Best rebuild? Quirkiest rules? Impact of rising salary cap?

With the entry draft and opening of free agency in the rearview mirror, the NHL is entering the s...

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1 quick thought on all 32 NHL teams as offseason activity slows

The NHL's annual free-agent frenzy is underway. The action started a day early this year, with re...

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NHL free agency: Analysis of the biggest moves

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