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Mike Koreen — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 12:34:34 EDT

NHL on Sportsnet: Canucks vs. Oilers

Sportsnet Staff — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:50:13 EDT

The Edmonton Oilers look to finalize their seeding in the Stanley Cup Playoffs as they take on the Vancouver Canucks. Watch the game on Sportsnet and follow the action using the NHL Live Tracker.

Auston Matthews takes wait-and-see approach to future with Maple Leafs

Luke Fox — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:35:01 EDT

TORONTO — What Auston Matthews did not say is as important as what he did say.

Upon conclusion of a season blessed with national triumph and cursed with local embarrassment, the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs was offered multiple opportunities to assure the city’s fans that he was down for the long haul, that he only envisions himself playing hockey in one NHL sweater.

Instead, Matthews pled the fifth.

“I can’t predict the future. There are steps that have to take place. They’ve got to hire new leadership in management. I don’t really know. I can’t really predict the future,” Matthews told reporters Thursday morning, the earliest locker cleanout day of his 10-year career.

Matthews was asked directly if he would reject the notion that he might not fulfill the final two seasons of his current contract in Toronto.

“There is always noise and chatter. Personally, I really don’t pay attention to all of that. I really just focus on myself, this team, and trying to be a part of the solution,” he replied.

No doubt, it’s unusual for all this consternation over a superstar still under contract for two-plus years.

But Matthews and the Maple Leafs began preliminary discussions on his desire to re-sign two off-seasons prior to his first impending UFA summer. The 2026-27 campaign is Matthews’s critical “Quinn Hughes” year, the season before the contract season.

And with talents and salaries of this magnitude, franchises must be proactive.

Hughes’s exit from Vancouver is fresh. As is Toronto’s Mitch Marner masterclass in asset mismanagement. The Leafs want Matthews in the fold; the Leafs cannot let him walk for nothing.

So, the top priority for Keith Pelley’s hired head of hockey operations is to find out: Is our guy willing to stick here through thick and thin? Or does he have a wandering eye?

The irony here is that Matthews, armed with a full no-move clause, absolutely can predict his near future. He could orchestrate a move to a team he believes has a better shot at the team success he desires. Or he could dig in and lead the Leafs for two more seasons minimum.

Don’t underestimate the power of the star athlete in a top-heavy league.

What would the player like to hear from the next boss?

“I don’t know if there is anything specific. Those conversations are going to be personal and private. We aren’t even at that point yet,” Matthews said. “When the time comes, those conversations will just happen organically.”

Our take: Matthews struck a noncommittal tone because — after the Leafs fell to 28th place in the standings, 31st in goals against, and 32nd in immediately having their captain’s back — the man needs to know what, exactly, he’s committing to.

Does training camp open with Craig Berube trying, once again, to get the troops to buy in to a chip-and-charge, clutter-the-crease attack? Does GM TBD find that elusive playmaking winger missing from Toronto’s top six? Is everyone healthy? Is the vision inspiring?

Those things, to be fair, Matthews cannot predict.

To a man, everyone wearing a Maple Leafs logo on the last day of school asserted their belief that 2025-26 could merely be a hiccup, that they have the personnel and conviction to summon a Bruins-esque bounce-back to the 2027 post-season.

“Absolutely,” Berube asserted, the Maple Leafs can win a Stanley Cup with Matthews and William Nylander. “’Cause I watch them play, and I know what kind of people they are.”

Stay with that a moment, though.

Watching Matthews play this season was underwhelming, to be kind.

The centreman carried the second-highest cap hit in the sport ($13.25 million) yet finished 67th in points per game (0.88) among skaters who played 20 games minimum.

His 27 goals and 53 points are both career lows. And while his defensive commitment and matchup game is strong, Matthews finished a dash-4.

Matthews will be 29 when the puck drops next, and now he has a surgically repaired left knee (“I think you know how I feel about the hit,” he said) to add to an injury history that includes a concussion, a separated shoulder, a twice-repaired wrist, and a wonky back.

Still, outside of some admitted Olympic-celebration jetlag, Matthews maintained that until Radko Gudas forced him into the brace he’s wearing, he had felt fine physically this season and will be raring to go come training camp.

Matthews stated that he loves being a Leaf and that he shares fans’ frustration and that he and his teammates must own this failure.

Less than 12 hours after the Maple Leafs’ 50th loss of the season, Matthews still believes he can win in this town.

“I believe in the guys in this room and the people we have here,” he said. “We are going to hire new leadership and management. There will be changes. That is just the way things go.”

But if we peer into the future, and the winning doesn’t come — or doesn’t come quick enough — Matthews cracked a door into a world where he could be part of those changes.

That’s just the way things go.

32 Thoughts: The Podcast

Hockey fans already know the name, but this is not the blog. From Sportsnet, 32 Thoughts: The Podcast with NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas is a weekly deep dive into the biggest news and interviews from the hockey world.

Latest episode

Fox’s Fast Five

• Does Berube expect to coach the Maple Leafs in 2026-27?

“Yes,” he replied.

While he has been no indication otherwise from up top, Berube did acknowledge that new management would make that call.

• When Brad Treliving dangled Matthew Knies at the trade deadline, his ask was for one of three packages in a return, according to Nick Kypreos: two first-round picks and a high-end prospect; or one first-round pick and two high-end prospects; or three high-end prospects.

Did Knies take such a hefty ask as a compliment?

“I wouldn’t want to look at it as a compliment. I’d look at it as a crappy thing. I don’t want to leave this group of guys,” he said. “It doesn’t really matter what it was. I wouldn’t want to leave here.

“I want to stay here. I want to play here.”

• John Tavares intends to play for Team Canada at next month’s world championships in Switzerland. He loves the game, especially in winner-take-all intensity, and finds he always learns and improves playing with different teammates under different coaches in different settings.

“It can only benefit me,” Tavares said.

• Chris Tanev, beauty that he is, said he feels he “let a lot of people down” by only suiting up for 11 games.

Every doctor he visited suggested season-ending groin surgery, but Tanev wanted to try to rehab without going under the knife. Only once the Leafs played themselves out of contention did he relent.

The 36-year-old defenceman’s rehabilitation is on track, and he vows to come back on time and in return-to-form condition.

“I work harder than anybody,” Tanev said.

• Anthony Stolarz was the first to notice something was amiss this season, publicly calling out the team’s defensive and togetherness issues way back in October.

“I think most definitely could have been handled in the room. But I think sometimes that what we need is tough love,” Stolarz reflected. “The guys understood where I was coming from. There was no animosity.”

With gesture to 10-year-old fan, Dustin Wolf proves that small goalies can make big impact

Eric Francis — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:34:25 EDT

CALGARY — Ten-year-old Kade Heisler walked into the Calgary Flames dressing room to meet his idol, handed him a birthday balloon, and apologized.

“Sorry for what?” asked Dustin Wolf, beaming at the sight of the young viral-video sensation.

“For losing your focus,” responded Heisler, alluding to the two goals scored on Wolf after Tuesday’s stick exchange melted hearts around the globe.

“Not at all,” said Wolf, inviting him to sit next to him in his stall before signing the stick.

“I’m glad it worked out the way it did. The smile on your face means the world to me. That’s what it’s all about.”

By now, you’ve seen Heisler’s beautiful reaction to having his sign recognized in the stands by Wolf during a TV timeout, and bursting into unabashed tears of pure joy as he cradled a game-used stick sent to him by Flames equipment manager Mark DePasquale.

Wolf didn’t see the priceless reaction in real time, but melted after the game when shown the video that has circled the globe for its purity.

It prompted the team to invite Heisler and his family — parents and four kids — to the Dome to meet Wolf after Thursday morning’s skate.

“I saw the video afterward and just the pure emotion, love and the happiness… it goes a long way,” said Wolf, whose status as one of the most beloved players is getting a well-earned boost.

“To take a couple seconds out of your day to make someone else’s better is what we want to do.”

After all, he knows what it feels like.

“I was in the same position with Quickie (Jonathan Quick),” said Wolf of his childhood idol growing up in Los Angeles.

“I was very fortunate to get a couple pictures of him over a few different years, and it’s sad to see him hang ’em up, but to get to play against him and see him across the ice a few times is certainly a dream come true. That’s the stuff you dream about as a kid.

“We’re very privileged. We’re in an unbelievable position to support others, to make other kids’ days, make families’ days, and try to go above and beyond when you get the chance. It doesn’t seem like it’s a whole lot to you when you’re doing it, but it means so much to them.”

More than Wolf could ever have known.

This hasn’t been an easy year for Heisler.

Just before Christmas, the resident of nearby Carstairs, Alta., quit hockey because he was bullied by a teammate.

The young man walked away from the game he loves.

“It started out with names and stuff, and then it turned into physical,” he told Sportsnet. “It wasn’t fun anymore.”

Looking on with pride as her son was interviewed by several local TV stations Thursday, his mother, Kimberly Komarniski, said the sign he made declaring Wolf his idol has plenty to do with the fact the Flames goalie is the smallest in the NHL.

“He gets picked on for his size a lot and that’s where his admiration comes from for Wolf,” she said. “We were just hoping for eye contact, or for him to see the sign. To get a thumbs up from Dustin was above and beyond, then the stick was mind blowing.”

As has been the fallout — something the young man has taken in stride as he started being hounded for interviews TV and radio stations around North America early the next morning.

“I like Wolf because he proves that size doesn’t matter,” said the pint-sized goalie, who will be the shortest player on the ice when he starts skating with his new team, the U-13 Renegades, this fall.

“If you’re short or tall, you can still cover the same amount of net. Wolf doesn’t let his size hold him back. He turns it into motivation.”

The day was also a big one for Kade’s 12-year-old brother, Jayden, who has battled cystic fibrosis since birth.

“When the day comes for his Make-a-Wish, it’ll definitely have something to do with the Flames,” said Kimberly, who added that daily treatment and a new drug has helped with their outlook on the disease, which causes severe respiratory and digestive issues.

“He eats and breathes the Flames. He is an encyclopedia for the Flames, and he’s a huge Dustin Wolf fan too.

“This means the world not just to Kade, but all of us. It’s like a dream come true.”

That’s the thing about being kind — you never know how much it can mean, and to how many.

Small gestures — no pun intended — can have big impacts.

And while most players understand their power, and wield it appropriately with acts like these every day, it was Kade’s reaction that made the moment so powerful.

“Those tears of Kade’s the other night, those were just pure gratefulness,” said mom.

And that’s why it hit home with the millions and millions who’ve seen it.

Flames on Sportsnet: Calgary vs. Los Angeles

Sportsnet Staff — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:46:47 EDT

The Los Angeles Kings visit the Calgary Flames on Thursday, hoping to jump into the top three in the Pacific Division. Catch all the action on Sportsnet, Sportsnet+ and our NHL live tracker at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

NHL Page Featured 2 Items

Josh Beneteau — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 18:16:33 EDT

Maple Leafs notebook: Rielly, Knies reiterate desire to stay in Toronto

Sonny Sachdeva — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:13:23 EDT

The long, painful journey to the final game of this lost Toronto Maple Leafs season has come to an end. Now comes the truly difficult part — pinning down how exactly it all went off the rails, and finding a way to get the organization back on track.

Thursday marked the first step in that process, as the Maple Leafs spoke to the media at the club’s training facility in Etobicoke, Ont., reflecting on the first campaign in a decade that ended without playoff hockey. Much remains uncertain about the future of the club, about its front office and the players who don its sweater — the only thing that is clear is that changes are coming.

Morgan Rielly’s worn the Maple Leafs crest longer than any other player currently in the building, has seen the franchise at rock bottom and at dizzying heights. And as the team’s trajectory aims downward once again, he finds his name at the centre of chatter about the changes needed.

On Thursday, the 32-year-old was asked how he would feel if asked to waive the no-move clause granted to him when he inked his eight-year, $60-million extension in 2021.

“It’s a challenging thing to answer when those conversations haven’t happened yet,” Rielly said. “But after a year like this — after any year, but especially one that [was] very disappointing — change is bound to happen. So, I think as an athlete, you have to be prepared for that.

“It’s not the first time that it’s crossed my mind. It’s not something anyone believes that they’re not open to. So when that conversation happens, we’ll deal with it accordingly.”

The defender — who’s played 13 seasons for the Maple Leafs, including four that saw him top the 50-point plateau, and one that saw him put up a career-best 20 goals and 72 points back in 2018-19 — reiterated his affinity for the organization that drafted him fifth-overall back in 2012.

“I’ve always loved being in Toronto and being a part of this organization. It’s very meaningful to me, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to stay. I still want to stay. I love playing here, I love being a Maple Leaf, and this organization means a lot to me.”

That said, Rielly also made clear that the path back to post-season relevancy after this rollercoaster campaign will be a hard journey.

“In this league, I don’t think there are any easy fixes,” he said. “The work that this team will have to put in to get back to where we want to be is extensive. Being outshot or playing too much time in our D-zone are things that we need to improve on. But you know, it’s more than just that.”

Tanev ‘very confident’ he’ll be ready for training camp in September

The Maple Leafs’ blue line was a central topic of conversation all season, as the club’s struggles in their own zone started early and never went away. Key to those struggles was the loss of back-end stalwart Chris Tanev, who missed all but 11 games with injury in 2025-26 after establishing himself as a pivotal blue-line leader for Toronto a season prior.

Amid questions about whether the 36-year-old will be able to resume his career after his recent slate of injuries, the veteran said Thursday he believes he’ll be back on the ice for the Maple Leafs next season.

“I’m doing well,” Tanev said. “I was in New York Monday to see the doctor about my surgery and everything’s going great, everything’s on track.”

The defender said he doesn’t foresee any further surgeries being required following the core muscle procedure he underwent in March. Asked how confident he is in his ability to return to the ice next season, Tanev was adamant: “Very confident,” he said. “I feel like I work harder than anyone, and I will continue to do that to get to where I need to be.”

Originally injured in a late-December game against Detroit, Tanev said he delayed his surgery in the hopes of returning in the playoffs.

“Every doctor I saw said the exact same thing: ‘You need surgery.’ I chose to wait a little bit — I was hoping we were going to be in a playoff spot and I could try to come back and play in April,” he said. “That was the goal. If that was the case, I would’ve had surgery after that.

“But coming out of the Olympic break, we didn’t play as well as we wanted, so it gave me an opportunity to do it then, where I could have a bit of a runway to get ready for next season.”

Asked what he saw as the fundamental reason his club found themselves unable to claw their way back, Tanev said there are a number of issues that need to be ironed out before 2026-27.

“When you watch the game up there, everyone thinks they’re Wayne Gretzky. The game is so much slower from the press box than it is on the ice. So, it’s tough for me to really critique when I only played 11 games,” he said. “But I think we needed to execute our systems better, we needed to have some more pace. Depending on who you ask, there could be 20 different things.

“When things don’t go as well as planned, or as well as they need to go, there’s always issues that need to be addressed. I think whoever comes in at the top is going to have to look at that and see what the important issues that they see are, and then try to fix them.”

Knies on seeing his name in trade reports: ‘That’s not in my hands. I’d love to stay here.’

One approach considered by the club’s previous regime was moving out young power forward Matthew Knies, who found his name brought up in reported trade offers considered by former GM Brad Treliving and Co.

Signed to a six-year, $46.5-million deal prior to this season, the 23-year-old managed 23 goals and 66 points in 2025-26. However, injuries hampered his ability to truly take a step for the club.

“It came up earlier in the year, I honestly don’t even know what date — some time pretty early in the season,” Knies said of his lower-body injury. “I think it was kind of blown out of proportion, I don’t think it was as serious as it was [said to be]. It was obviously not comfortable to play with all year, but it didn’t really hinder me being out of the lineup.

“I’m happy now that I can let it heal up and rest it a little bit, and try to come back and be 100 per cent for next season.”

As for his name being considered in trade offers this season, and perhaps moving forward, Knies reiterated his desire to remain a Maple Leaf.

“It’s not in my control,” the winger said. “I can just focus on my attitude that I bring to the rink, the work ethic I bring to the rink. That’s for the guys upstairs, that’s not in my hands. I’d love to stay here. I want to play here. I think you’re going to hear that from everyone in this locker room.

“It doesn’t get to me, really, I’ve just got to focus on my game and trying to help the team win. That was my only thought this year.”

Maple Leafs point to lack of consistency, injuries as key reasons for lost season

As the dust settles on a disastrous campaign that saw Toronto finish in the league’s basement just one year after winning a division title, the Maple Leafs tried Thursday to sort through the wreckage of their disappointing season. The squad’s overall lack of consistency was brought up repeatedly by the dejected group.

“We never really seemed to get quite on track the way we needed to,” said John Tavares. “Our game obviously just didn’t build, get to the level that it needs to be consistently to have success, to put yourself in a spot to be in the playoffs. … We just didn’t do a good enough job. I think we all understand the roles we play as players, and certainly myself, the expectation and the standards that we want to uphold. We didn’t meet those.”

Asked why that consistency wasn’t there, despite the veteran experience in the group and the results they found last season, Tavares said the issues were plenty.

“It just didn’t really come together. You know, I think it’s always hard to pinpoint one thing. But certainly our level of execution, and just the challenge that it brings on a nightly basis in this league, the buy-in that everyone needs to have to be on the same page — and doing the things when they’re the most difficult, when they’re the most challenging, being able to sustain that. You know, having the fortitude needed to do what’s required on a nightly basis.

“As our game went throughout the season, it obviously was a real challenge — just spending a lot of time in our own zone, not having the puck very much, and then we just didn’t defend and execute, break out very well. That’s on everyone, starting with myself.”

Knies pointed to the club’s defensive performances.

“We can’t let in that many goals and expect to win games,” he said. “I think our defensive play, to be honest, was very subpar. We left our goalies out to dry a lot of the games. I think that was a part of it. I think towards the end of the season, our ability to generate offence wasn’t there. That kind of ties into consistency — not everything was there all the time.

“At parts I think we were good defensively, but the offence wasn’t there, and then vice versa. We’re going to have to put it together, all the pieces, next year, and completely buy into the system, show that it works.”

For Stolarz, it was the lack of bite and competitiveness that sunk them — the type of intensity he saw his former club, the Florida Panthers, bring routinely.

“You know, you look at the response that we had late in the season after the Auston injury. I think that’s something that, next year, starting at Game 1, that’s the way we have to play,” the netminder said. “We have to play like bastards. We have to play hard and we have to play heavy. There were times this year that we’ve shown it. We’ve played with some of the best teams in the league and were able to beat them. I think that was the toughest thing, was just the consistency. We hung with some of the best teams in the league, we beat some of the best teams in the league — it just wasn’t there night in, night out.”

William Nylander, who led the club with 79 points this season, chalked it up to the injury bug.

“I mean, a lot of injuries piled up,” the winger said during a brief availability Thursday. “I think that maybe was a big factor, looking back at it.”

Much was made of head coach Craig Berube’s system, and what seemed to be a lack of buy-in from his players this season, an issue that appeared to snowball as the tumultuous campaign wore on. Asked Thursday for his thoughts on that critique, Berube said he and his staff did try to tweak the system throughout the season to find a solution.

“You know, we did modify it this year at times. And it ended up being the same result,” the coach said. “It’s not like we’re not trying to work and help the players and try to get them to a different level. Systems are systems. They have to be executed to be successful.”

Berube — who said he hasn’t heard anything yet about whether he’ll be back next season — pointed to one area specifically when asked why his team fell off in 2025-26 after a successful 2024-25.

“Goals-against,” the coach said, point blank. Still, Berube said he believes the club’s current goalie tandem of Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz can find success again in Toronto.

“We did last year,” Berube said Thursday when asked if he could live with the duo returning. “And they were solid. We had a nice tandem, and I believe that we can have that tandem again. You know, this year, whether it’s a one-off or whatever, there was a lot of circumstances, with injuries and different things, that went on.

“It was a little chaotic in the goaltending department. But I do believe Stolarz and Woll are very good goalies, when they’re healthy and ready to go. I believe they can come back next year and do the job again.”

Tavares on belief Maple Leafs can bounce back next year: ‘We have to earn that’

The crucial question for the Maple Leafs faithful is where things go from here — was this campaign a one-off, undone by injuries and a mismanaged roster? Or was it a sign that the Maple Leafs’ window for contention has now slammed shut, and a new path must be charted?

Asked if they believe they can return to the playoffs Thursday, the Maple Leafs expectedly affirmed their belief in their group — but also noted it won’t be a simple process.

“I think in moments you have doubt. If you look at the record and after games, you have feelings of doubt,” admitted Rielly. “But ultimately I think that there’s a strong belief in here with this team, in the big picture and over the long run, that this team will be able to get back to a position of strength and a chance to win.”

“I think we have a ton of good players in here,” added Tanev. “Obviously we didn’t have a very good season at all. But we had — I’m not going to give excuses on injuries — but we had some guys that didn’t play a lot of the year. I think we can learn a lot from this year, and the importance of having a really good start to the season. Falling behind the eight ball and learning and adapting to how we can get better. There’s some amazing players in here, and I do believe that we can be a playoff team next year.”

“With the talent and the personnel in this locker room, I think that that’s definitely going to happen,” said Knies, doubling down. “It sucks to say, but with a summer like this, there’s time for guys to heal up and get prepared, just get as ready as possible for next season.”

“We have some good players here — we have to make some adjustments, we have to make some moves to bring in maybe some different players or different people,” said Berube. “But there’s a good core here, good players, and good people. So I do believe we can bounce back.”

Asked if he’s confident this group can return to the post-season after what just transpired in 2025-26, Tavares was more cautious with his optimism.

“Very. But we have to go out there and prove that and earn that,” the former captain said. “Just like, you know, we had high expectations for this year, and we didn’t come close. So, the challenge going forward for the group is to regroup, continue to work together to find the areas we have to be better. And then our level of play just has to be much, much higher.”

Slafkovsky, young Canadiens steeled by last year’s playoff experience

Eric Engels — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:13:12 EDT

BROSSARD, Que. — Juraj Slafkovsky stood stunned, with his voice tremoring and his eyes locked in a 1000-yard stare.

“We just have to play better, and we will,” Slafkovsky kept saying after sobering losses to the Washington Capitals last April.

His demeanour betrayed the confidence he wanted to portray following the first two games of his Stanley Cup Playoff career.

It was clear the experience shook Slafkovsky.

But by the time five games were played and a promising season had come to its abrupt end, it also became clear it had transformed him.

Countryman Eric Cernak saw that transformation as soon as Slafkovsky returned to Slovakia and joined him for their summer routine.

The Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman, who will face a much more hardened Slafkovsky than the one who got tenderized by the Capitals last spring, said the change was unmistakable.

“We have the same strength coach, so we work out and skate together, and I could see the difference right away when he was working hard and going for every single workout and skate with a different intensity,” Cernak told us prior to a 4-1 win for the Canadiens over his Lightning on Mar. 31.

“He clearly came prepared,” Cernak continued. “The way he’s played, the confidence he’s played with, it’s been amazing.”

It led Slafkovsky through the best of his four NHL seasons. He set career highs with 31 goals and 74 points, emerging as a dominant power forward three years ahead of schedule—in his 22^nd year on the planet—and carrying himself with the swagger he had only hoped to have but couldn’t find with the Canadiens’ backs pinned to the wall in that Washington series.

An all-star performance at the Olympics in between prepared the 2022 No.1 overall pick for what’s coming next.

It was in Milan that Slafkovsky started every game as a marked man and finished it as an assassin. He posted four goals and eight points in six games and willed Slovakia to the semifinals.

In the process, he proved to himself what he wasn’t able to prove to himself last spring.

“I was able to see that I can actually go out there and do what I want and need to do in meaningful games against the world’s best players,” Slafkovsky said, “and now I know I can bring the same energy to playoff games.”

His voice was steady as he said it. His demeanour was confident, relaxed, and revealed the value of experience gained.

Seeing that from Slafkovsky and other members of this Canadiens team—ahead of a matchup with the most playoff-hardened team of the 16 challenging for this year’s Cup—made it easier to believe they can rise to the challenge in front of them.

You think of Lane Hutson and Ivan Demidov, among other young players who went green into last year’s playoffs and emerged from them black and blue, and you know they’ll also be much more ready for Sunday’s Game 1 in Tampa.

The lessons have sunk in.

“I was maybe a little less assertive as I wanted to be as a player,” Hutson said. “I feel more assertive in trying to help any way I can.”

Demidov came over from Russia last April and arguably would’ve gotten enough out of the two regular-season games he played while the Canadiens were trying to clinch a playoff berth if that was all he was exposed to before this season.

But getting in the five games he played against Washington had a massive influence on how he trained over the summer to author the most productive rookie campaign of any first-year player in the league.

To see Demidov score 19 goals and post 62 points was one thing, but Hutson feels he also offered evidence he can level up when it matters most—now.

“You can tell down the stretch, these last couple games, he’s hungry,” Hutson said. “We talk about the playoffs all the time, how exciting it is here and what we want to do to help us win, and he’s so hungry to do whatever it takes to win, and it’s definitely fun to see.”

The Canadiens are hoping that what they’ll get from Arber Xhekaj, Jayden Struble and Kaiden Guhle will be anything but fun for the Lightning to see.

The bruising back-enders also had their first experiences in the playoffs last spring, and they also took their hits like the rest of the Canadiens.

But Struble was more assertive down the stretch of this season than he was at any point last season—he was at his most aggressive in last week’s 2-1 win over the Lightning at the Bell Centre—and Xhekaj has recently found a better balance between asserting himself physically and managing the other key elements of play.

“I find he’s playing good hockey,” said Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis. “He’s playing physical, playing to his identity, and he got some good reps down the stretch… I like what I saw.”

Results for Guhle were just as reassuring. Especially to his teammates.

“Guhles is going to be awesome for us,” said Kirby Dach. “Big, rangy defenceman who plays hard and physical in front of his own net. He can eat big minutes, he’s a bit of a pain in the ass to play against, so we’re definitely lucky to have him.”

Experience has brought Guhle and the rest of the Canadiens to another level, and that showed during this 106-point season.

“There’s ups and downs through a playoff series, there’s ups and downs through a game, there’s emotion that comes with it,” said St. Louis, “so having gone through it, I think it helps you.”

It may not have felt that way to Slafkovsky in the moment, but it certainly feels that way to him now in hindsight.

“Honestly, I grew a lot from that,” he said. “It was really hard. On TV, you can just watch and see all the plays developing, and everyone can figure it out on TV. Me too. I see what should happen. But on the ice, it’s way different. There’s a lot of physicality, and it’s way faster.

“But I realized it’s the type of game I love. It’s what I play for.”

Cernak knows that.

He saw it first-hand at the Olympics, and he knows Slafkovsky is just one of the young Canadiens more prepared for this year’s playoffs.

“Even if they have a young team, those guys have been there for a few years and have gone through stuff together,” he said. “It was only a matter of time before it started clicking, and everybody was playing winning hockey. That’s what they’ve done. Marty, as the head coach, has experience. Even if they’re young, they know how to manage winning those hard games, and I think that’s important.”

NHL Headlines

Noah Love — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 17:25:41 EDT

Macklin Celebrini breaks Sharks single-season points record

Sportsnet Staff — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 22:29:04 EDT

Move over Jumbo Joe, Macklin Celebrini now stands alone.

With his 113th, 114th and 115th points of the season on Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets, Celebrini capped his sensational sophomore campaign by breaking the San Jose Sharks franchise record for most points in a single season.

Celebrini took the record from Sharks legend Joe Thornton, who recorded 114 points in the 2006-07 season.

Unlike Thornton, who piled up 92 assists with just 22 goals in his record-setting season, Celebrini took a more balanced approach this year.

With a goal and two assists against the Jets, the 19-year-old Celebrini will finish the season with 45 goals and 70 assists.

Celebrini joined Wayne Gretzky as the only teenagers in NHL history with at least 40 goals and 70 assists in a season, per ESPN.

It marks a significant increase from Celebrini’s rookie season when he had in 25 goals and 38 assists in 70 games.

Despite Celebrini’s best efforts, the Sharks fell just short in the race for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

But if his record-setting season was any indication, the future looks bright in San Jose.

Devils hire Panthers’ Sunny Mehta as general manager

Sportsnet Staff — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:21:22 EDT

The New Jersey Devils have a new head of hockey operations.

Sunny Mehta, formerly an assistant with the Florida Panthers, has been hired by the Devils as general manager, the team announced on Thursday.

Mehta was also reportedly a candidate in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ executive search.

The 48-year-old, who was raised in Wyckoff, N.J., spent the past six seasons with the Panthers, winning two Stanley Cups. Over the past three years, he served as head of analytics as well as assistant GM.

“This is a dream come true for a New Jersey kid, who grew up watching Devils practices just 20 minutes away in Totowa,” Mehta said in a press release. “New Jersey has a tremendous young core that will be looking to get back to being a contender, a complement of young assets and draft picks, and a passionate fan base hungry for success. I was fortunate enough to watch the New Jersey Devils raise three Stanley Cups and am excited to get to work to return to that level.”

Mehta, who will be introduced with a media availability on Tuesday, becomes the sixth general manager in Devils history. New Jersey is coming off its second straight year missing the post-season, placing seventh in the Metropolitan Division with 87 points in 82 games.

He will take time to evaluate the status of head coach Sheldon Keefe, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported.

Devils star forward Jack Hughes missed chunks of the season due to injury, but scored the golden goal for the U.S. in the Olympic men’s hockey tournament.

“We quickly realized this job was in high demand and were incredibly fortunate to meet with many qualified candidates,” managing partner David Blitzer said in a statement. “Sunny’s familiarity with our organization and experience with a two-time Stanley Cup-winning team are characteristics that will serve as a foundation for future success. Our expectations are to be a perennial playoff team and compete for the Stanley Cup, and I look forward to Sunny leading us there.”

Mehta previously spent four seasons with the Devils from 2014-15 to 2017-18 under Lou Lamoriello and Ray Shero.

Prior to joining the NHL, Mehta was a professional musician and poker player. He studied Jazz Guitar and Studio at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music and later wrote two books on poker strategy called Professional No-Limit Hold ‘Em, Volume 1 (2009) and Small Stakes No-Limit Hold ‘Em (2007).

With the Devils having filled their GM vacancy, it leaves the Maple Leafs, Seattle Kraken and Nashville Predators as the remaining openings.

The Devils fired previous GM Tom Fitzgerald earlier in April.

Wild not ready to name starting goalie for Game 1 against Stars

Associated Press — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:51:29 EDT

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild have entered the Stanley Cup Playoffs with fully professed confidence in both of their goalies. Their preference is to keep a secret whether Filip Gustavsson or Jesper Wallstedt will start.

After the Wild practised on Thursday ahead of their trip to Dallas for the first round series, coach John Hynes declined to answer the question about who will get the net for Game 1 against the Stars on Saturday afternoon.

“You can argue both sides, right? This is what I would say: We have two excellent goaltenders. We’ve had two excellent goaltenders all year long,” Hynes said.

Gustavsson has long figured to be the favourite for his experience, making 49 starts in his third season as the primary starter for the Wild. He has a 4-6 record in the playoffs on his resume, having made a stellar post-season debut three years ago with 51 saves to beat the Stars in double overtime of Game 1 of that first-round series.

But the 27-year-old Gustavsson wasn’t sharp down the stretch of the regular season, giving up four or more goals in five of his last six starts. Whether or not his performance was related to the Wild being all but locked in as the third-place team in the Central Division and resting several regular skaters, Gustavsson clearly gave the coaching staff some reason to pause.

“I don’t know if that’s any stress for me,” Gustavsson said. “I don’t make that decision, so I just play when they tell me to play.”

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The quest for the Stanley Cup begins with 16 teams and ends with one champion. Don’t miss a moment of the Stanley Cup Playoffs with every game on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.

Broadcast schedule

Wallstedt is just a rookie at age 23, but the debut for the 2021 first-round draft pick was a smashing success. He finished second in the NHL with a .916 save percentage while making 33 starts and setting franchise rookie records with 18 wins and four shutouts.

“You can’t go wrong with the decision. Eventually we will make the decision and let the guys know what it’s going to be, but we feel comfortable that no matter who we play he’s going to give us a great game,” Hynes said.

Hynes also declined to confirm or deny the Wild plan to use both goalies in the best-of-seven series.

“We’ll just take it day by day and we’ll make the decision, we’ll go to Game 1 together as a team, and then we’ll see how that goes,” Hynes said.

In a unique twist on this tandem, both Gustavsson and Wallstedt were on Sweden’s national team in the Winter Olympics earlier this year.

“I like where I’m at. The game I’ve played lately has been good. I think I can play anyone,” Wallstedt said. “I’m excited if I get to play to show that in the playoffs.”

Hynes wasn’t ready to confirm the rest of his lineup, either, though the Wild’s first pair of 40-goal scorers, Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy, will be split between the first two lines for balance. Standout defenceman Quinn Hughes was the only regular not on the ice for practice, because of an illness. He will travel with the team to Dallas, and Hynes said he’s hopeful that Hughes will be recovered in time to play on Saturday.

Berube on Leafs’ disastrous season: ‘It’s on me. It’s on everyone’

Sportsnet Staff — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:07:03 EDT

Craig Berube has seen a lot in his two-year tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

He led the Maple Leafs to a regular-season Atlantic Division crown and to just their second series win nine years. He witnessed the departure of 100-point man Mitch Marner, the firing of general manager Brad Treliving and watched as his captain and star player went down for the season with an MCL tear.

He also had the unfortunate honour of running the bench as Toronto not only broke their decade-long playoff streak, but did so through a spectacular tumble down the standings, finishing last in the division and 28th in the league.

“It’s not like we weren’t trying to go out there and win hockey games,” the head coach said at the Maple Leafs’ year-end press conference on Thursday morning. “We didn’t get it done.

“It’s on me. It’s on everyone. We didn’t perform at the level we needed to perform to get back to the playoffs.”

Perhaps frustratingly, the Maple Leafs seemed to have a chance, working a three-game win streak into the Olympic break. But their on-ice performance after the return to play left much to be desired, coming out of the break on an eight-game skid and went 5-20 to close out the season.

Enough for the organization to make a change up top.

“When (Treliving) was let go, you know, it was tough on me,” Berube said. “He gave me the opportunity here. A good friend. Loved working with him, so that’s difficult, but at the same time, I’ve got a job to do and I’ve got to keep doing it.”

The coach, who still has two years remaining on his contract, also told reporters he expects to be back behind the bench next season.

Despite the disappointment, Berube has faith in his room and believes 2025-26 was an outlier.

“We have some good players here,” he continued. “We have to make some adjustments, we have to make some moves to bring in, maybe, some different different players or different people, but there’s a good core here. Good players and good people, so I do believe we can bounce back.

“I think our culture is good in here. I don’t have a problem with the culture. I have a problem with how we performed on the ice. … I come in here daily and I see guys doing what they’re supposed to be doing and working hard in practice. The room is really good. The guys are good with each other. The culture is good around here.”

Jets’ season ends with lopsided loss to Sharks, Celebrini

Canadian Press — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 22:54:34 EDT

WINNIPEG — Macklin Celebrini set a San Jose Sharks‘ franchise record for points in a season after a goal and pair of assists in a 6-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday.

Celebrini finished the season with 45 goals and 70 assists, his 115 points surpassing former San Jose great Joe Thornton’s 114 points in 2006-07. Both played 82 games.

William Eklund also recorded a goal and two helpers, Will Smith notched a goal and assist, and Collin Graf, Igor Chernyshov and Michael Misa also scored for the Sharks (39-35-8). John Klingberg contributed three assists.

Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 25 shots for San Jose, which hasn’t made the playoffs for seven consecutive seasons.

Despite capping off a disappointing season with a four-game losing skid, a capacity crowd of 15,225 fans at Canada Life Centre stood and cheered the players after the final whistle.

The Jets are the fifth NHL team to win the Presidents’ Trophy for the best regular-season record (116 points last year) and not qualify for the playoffs the following season.

They finish 26th with 82 points (35-35-12). They last missed the playoffs in 2021-22.

Cole Koepke scored for Winnipeg and Eric Comrie made 27 saves.

TAKEAWAYS

Jets: Winnipeg finished 19-16-6 at home this season, not reaching the 20-win mark at home for the first time in nine full seasons. It was Winnipeg’s ninth sellout of the season, compared to 16 regular-season full houses last season. Five Jets played all 82 games: Kyle Connor, Dylan DeMelo, Mark Scheifele, Jonathan Toews and Gabriel Vilardi. Scheifele led the team with a career-high and franchise-record 103 points and Connor recorded a team-best 39 goals. It’s the first time in his career that Vilardi has played an entire season, and Toews’ first time since 2018-19. Vilardi had career-highs in goals (30) and points (69).

Sharks: After Celebrini’s 115-point campaign, thenext highest point-getter was Smith with 24 goals and 59 points. Celebrini, Mario Ferraro, Barclay Goodrow and Dmitry Orlov all played 82 games. San Jose swept the Jets in three matches for the first time since the 2016-17 season.

KEY MOMENT

Misa and Eklund scored with just under two minutes left in the second period to give the Sharks a 5-1 lead.

KEY STAT

Celebrini’s three-point outing capped an outstanding record-setting season for the 19-year-old North Vancouver native.

NHL announces Game 1 dates for Stanley Cup Playoffs

Sportsnet Staff — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:05:35 EDT

With the NHL regular season nearly wrapped up, it’s time to look ahead to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The NHL has announced the Game 1 schedule for all eight first-round matchups.

Here is a look at the schedule:

Eastern Conference Game 1 times

Ottawa Senators at Carolina Hurricanes
Saturday, April 18, at 3 p.m. ET on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+

Philadelphia Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins
Saturday, April 18, at 8 p.m. ET on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+

Montreal Canadiens at Tampa Bay Lightning
Sunday, April 19. Time TBD

Boston Bruins at Buffalo Sabres
Sunday, April 19. Time TBD

Western Conference Game 1 times

Minnesota Wild at Dallas Stars
Saturday, April 18, at 5:30 p.m. ET on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+

Wild Card No. 2 at Colorado Avalanche
Sunday, April 19. Time TBD

Utah Mammoth at Vegas Golden Knights
Sunday, April 19. Time TBD

Pacific Division No. 2 at Pacific Division No. 1
Monday, April 29. Time TBD

Mammoth’s Brandon Tanev denied first goal of season in final game on review

Sportsnet Staff — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:00:55 EDT

Brandon Tanev looked to the skies in relief. He had finally scored his first goal — in the last game of the season on Thursday.

Or so he thought.

After the Utah Mammoth forward appeared to shove home a rebound past St. Louis Blues goalie Joel Hofer, Blues coach Jim Montgomery challenged the play for goaltender interference.

On closer look, Tanev pushed Hofer’s pad back with his stick. It did not take long for the situation room in Toronto to overturn the call.

It marks the third time that Tanev has been denied his first goal of the season, per Brogan Houston of Deseret News.

Upon even further review, the goal may have been credited to teammate Liam O’Brien anyway. And so Tanev remains snakebitten.

Tanev has three assists in 55 games in his first season with the Mammoth. Luckily for the veteran grinder, who has 84 career goals, Utah is headed for the post-season, giving him further opportunities to find the back of the net.

Bedard contract top priority as Blackhawks enter pivotal off-season

Associated Press — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:58:23 EDT

CHICAGO — Connor Bedard is going to get paid. That’s for sure. The only questions are how much and how many years.

It also looks as if Bedard is going to be named captain of the Chicago Blackhawks. That seems like it’s only a matter of timing.

That’s the easy part of this off-season for Chicago. The rest of the picture is more complicated.

The Blackhawks are moving into another big summer after going 29-39-14 this year, an 11-point improvement on the previous season and still nowhere near playoff contention. They have finished No. 31 in the NHL each of the last three years.

“The end of the day, we’ve got to start winning,” Bedard said Thursday, a day after the Blackhawks beat the San Jose Sharks 5-2 in their season finale. “It’s been a while, and I think it takes a toll on you, and you want to make that step. We talk about it all the time, but it’s on us to go out there, have good summers, come back and make that leap.”

It all begins with Bedard, who continued his steady improvement in his third season since he was drafted No. 1 overall in 2023. The 20-year-old centre set career highs with 30 goals and 45 assists in 69 games.

Bedard is eligible for restricted free agency, but it’s unlikely that his contract situation lingers for that long. He has said repeatedly how much he likes playing in Chicago and expressed confidence in the direction of the team. And Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson has made it clear what the rebuilding franchise thinks of its biggest star.

“We’ll get that done, and we’ll get to work soon on that,” Davidson said. “Like I said, he’s so important to our team. He took such a big step forward this year in every facet. So yeah, that’s certainly an important one to cross off the list.”

Watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sportsnet

The quest for the Stanley Cup begins with 16 teams and ends with one champion. Don’t miss a moment of the Stanley Cup Playoffs with every game on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.

Broadcast schedule

Bedard’s contract may be a foregone conclusion, but the final numbers in terms of length and cap hit will help the shape the future of the franchise as it considers what it wants to do with the rest of its top prospects as their rookie deals wind down.

“It’s just seeing kind of what fits the team best, what fits me best and just going from there kind of thing,” Bedard said. “So, you know, I’m very open to however they see it and what they have to say.”

Chicago traded away its entire leadership group at the deadline, sending captain Nick Foligno to Minnesota and alternate captains Connor Murphy and Jason Dickinson to Edmonton. Playing without some of their top veteran leaders, the Blackhawks went 6-11-4 in their last 21 games.

Bedard became an alternate captain after the Murphy deal, and he said being named captain would be “a special, special honour for sure.” His teammates think he’s ready for the challenge, too.

“As a guy that has played with him and been on the team since he’s been here, I’ve seen how he’s changed as a person and player, and he’s shown everybody in this organization — including me — that he knows what it takes to win,” fellow forward Ryan Donato said. “He’s put in the work and he’s dedicated and obviously he’s the franchise player. We want to make sure we play our best for him, but he wants to give his best to every guy.”

Chicago put together a solid start in its first season under coach Jeff Blashill, but it dropped off late in November. Then Bedard injured his right shoulder on Dec. 12 and Frank Nazar broke his jaw on Dec. 20, accelerating the decline for the team.

The Blackhawks have made just one post-season appearance since 2017, and that was the expanded playoff format after the 2020 season was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Going into next season, it’s, playoffs are the expectation,” defenceman Alex Vlasic said. “We’re not here to do this again. And we all know that in the locker room. We have confidence in our group.”

How much confidence Davidson has in his group of young players remains to be seen. While it has become increasingly difficult to sign an impact player in free agency, Davidson has the resources to trade for a star if he can find the right match.

The Blackhawks drafted 11 players in the first round alone over the previous four years. They will have another top-four selection in this year’s draft, along with three second rounders.

“We’re definitely going to explore what’s out there,” said Davidson, who finalized a multiyear contract extension with the team before the season finale. “I don’t think I’m shy to try things. Just nothing has arisen in the last little while to make that happen. But we’re going to look at what we can do to add to the roster, of course.”

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Round 1 Previews (Home + NHL)

Kellen Forrest — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:55:05 EDT

2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Series Preview: Lightning vs. Canadiens

Ryan Dixon — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:11:38 EDT

The first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs features a rematch from the 2021 Stanley Cup Final.

Weird, right?

Odd as it might be to recall, a pandemic-impacted, 56-game season concluded with the defending-champion Tampa Bay Lightning downing the Montreal Canadiens — the worst team, by record, to make the 2021 playoffs — in five games to claim a second straight title.

The two teams took drastically different routes to this next encounter, with Tampa remaining on Excellence Street, while the Canadiens — who ostensibly lost Shea Weber and Carey Price forever after that trip to the final — executed a full-scale rebuild that’s already producing a second straight playoff appearance.

As for Tampa, while the club has remained one of the league’s best, the Bolts haven’t won a playoff round since advancing to their third straight final in 2022. It’s unfair to say we’re at now-or-never time for this core, but some fingers and toes must be anxiously tapping in T-Bay as coach Jon Cooper and Co. try to find a way back to the top of the mountain.

Or, at least, to a much higher elevation than they’ve been scaling the past three springs.

Watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sportsnet

The quest for the Stanley Cup begins with 16 teams and ends with one champion. Don’t miss a moment of the Stanley Cup Playoffs with every game on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.

Broadcast schedule

While these two teams have been in wildly different spots the past handful of years, they put together similarly impressive campaigns in 2025-26. In fact, this clash — the 2-3 battle in the Atlantic, with Tampa holding home-ice advantage — is a meeting of clubs with the fifth- and sixth-best records in the entire NHL.

So, despite a wide gap in terms of playoff pedigree between the squads, the young Habs — coached by Bolts legend Martin St. Louis — and savvy Lightning could produce an extremely close first-round series.

HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD

Tampa Bay: 2-2-0
Montreal: 2-1-1

Lighting X-factor: Health

Are they finally healthy, at just the right time? Key Bolts like Anthony Cirelli, Brayden Point, Brandon Hagel and Darren Raddysh all missed at least 10 games this year, while defenceman Ryan McDonagh missed close to half the schedule. Captain Victor Hemdan, who’s been on personal leave since late March, played well under half the season.

Even if Hedman is unable to return for Game 1, Tampa’s roster is in a much better spot than it has been for large chunks of the season.

Canadiens X-factor: Depth of scoring

How much offence can Montreal get from lines that aren’t the top one? The second line, in particular, has struggled to produce when Juraj Slafkovsky joins Nick Suzuki and 50-goal man Cole Caufield on the top trio. Really, the only guy who’s been on the second line all year is Ivan Demidov and, good as he is, Demidov is a rookie who needs support. If Alex Newhook — who missed a huge chunk of time with a fractured ankle — can continue his strong late-season play as a speedy 2C, maybe Montreal can hit on something that supports the big boys.

ADVANCED STATS
(5-on-5 totals from Natural Stat Trick)

TEAM	CF%	GF%	xGF%	SV%	SH%
Lightning	53.30 (3)	56.20 (2)	54.19 (4)	.908 (12)	11.09 (3)
Canadiens	48.64 (23)	53.49 (9)	48.59 (23)	.906 (14)	11.3 (1)

Regular Season Stats

TEAM	PP%	PK%	GF/G	GA/G
Lightning	20.7 (17)	82.6 (3)	3.49 (4)	2.79 (3)
Canadiens	23.1 (10)	78.2 (18)	3.40 (7)	3.06 (16)

TAMPA BAY STORYLINES

1. Tampa tough guys

Quick, which team led the league in penalty minutes this season? Certainly not the Lightning team which has built a winning legacy this century with skill and smarts, right?

As you’ve surely guessed by now, there’s more backstreet brawler to the Bolts than you might initially imagine, with Tampa racking up more PIMs than any team in the league this year. Hey, when you face — and lose to — the notoriously unpleasant Florida Panthers as the Lighting have in each of the past two first rounds, eventually you develop some pugilistic tendencies of your own.

If Tampa was already inclined to enter the post-season prepared to put their thumb in someone’s eye, playing the Canadiens might stoke the instinct to make this a street fight. Montreal, of course, is nobody’s idea of a mean team and the Lightning may think they can have their way with small stars like Caufield and Lane Hutson.

2. Vasi-level up-skiy

Andrei Vasilevskiy is a slam-dunk Hall-of-Famer. That said, he’s 4-12 in his past three series with an .882 save percentage. That’s a long way from the Conn Smythe performance “Vasy” threw down the year Tampa beat Montreal in the final, when he had a .937 SV% in 23 games. In fact, during the team’s three consecutive runs to the final from ’20 to ’22, Vasilevskiy had a .928 in 71 post-season contests. He doesn’t have to be that good, but the big Russian needs to improve on what we’ve seen in each of the past three springs.

3. Opportunity Knocks

This is a preview of a series between Tampa and Montreal, but we’re going to bring up the Panthers one more time. It’s hard to shake the feeling there’s a lane here for Tampa to make a run with Florida — almost sure to return, rested and mean as ever next spring — not in the mix this year. Again, it’s not as though the clock is about to strike midnight on this iteration of the Bolts, but they’ve got a kick at it here with Nikita Kucherov still at the sky-high top of his offensive game and a bunch of key players aged about 28 to 32. Put it this way; if the first-round exits at the hands of Florida the past two springs hurt, losing an opening-round series to a club that — good as it is — likely won’t peak for a couple years would be a severe gut punch.

MONTREAL STORYLINES

1. Untested tenders

The Canadiens rookie battery of Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler have roughly 145 minutes of career NHL playoff experience, with all of them belonging to Dobes from last year’s five-game loss to the Washington Capitals. Goaltending became a big subplot for Montreal this season when incumbent starter Sam Montembeault completely lost his game and never got it back.

However, since play resumed after the Olympic break, Dobes’ .916 save percentage is the third-best mark in the league among goalies with 15 appearances and he was especially stellar in March and early April, posting a .925 SV% in a dozen outings while the Canadiens solidified their playoff spot in a tough Eastern Conference fight. If Dobes, 24, falters, Fowler is the rare 21-year-old who might be able to handle the post-season heat. One of the top young goalies in hockey, Fowler has shown himself to be a capable, calm stopper when given the chance this season.

2. Lineup decisions

Coach Martin St. Louis has interesting decisions to make at forward and defence, albeit for different reasons. On the back end, the Canadiens were dealt a tough blow when Noah Dobson — a vital, right-shot defenceman for the team — got injured blocking a shot with his hand in Game No. 80. While there could be some gamesmanship given it’s playoff time, Montreal said last weekend that he’d be re-evaluated after two weeks, which basically takes the team through four playoff contests. Assuming another righty, Alexandre Carrier, can return for Game 1, that leaves St. Louis looking at the likes of Arber Xhekaj, recent AHL callup David Reinbacher and maybe even Adam Engstrom for a final spot on the blue line. Everyone brings something different, so the coach will have to decide which way to play it.

Up front, a handful of guys — Brendan Gallagher, Joe Veleno, Zach Bolduc and Alexandre Texier — have all taken turns being scratched from the lineup. Maybe the series will tell St. Louis how to fill out his lineup card, but the coach has some tough calls to make and could throw different looks at Tampa as the battle wages on.

3. What constitutes progress for Montreal?

As noted, the Canadiens have now made the post-season in two straight years and that fact alone could be seen as a win for a squad that still seemed elbow-deep in a rebuild about 15 months ago. Does Montreal, in its second spring fling, need to win a series to show progress? Alternatively, maybe a tight six- or seven-game loss to a heavyweight like Tampa would suffice as a sign this club continues to move in the right direction.

What it really might come down to for the Canadiens is evaluating if the team, as currently constructed, has what it takes to thrive when the physicality takes a leap. Win or lose, will management leave the series thinking the core has what it takes to eventually make it work at this time of year or will they be left contemplating debilitating holes in the blueprint?

2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Series Preview: Hurricanes vs. Senators

Rory Boylen — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:31:02 EDT

If you were to poll a general collection of NHL fans a week ago, and ask them which team was most capable of pulling off a first-round playoff upset, the most popular answer would probably have been the Ottawa Senators.

If they could just get good goaltending, the Senators were effectively a wagon of a team for many weeks, with underlying numbers that would rival the best in the league. That goaltending did come around just in time to deliver a playoff appearance, but how does Ottawa feel as an upset candidate now that we know who their first-round opponent is?

While Buffalo is a great story, perhaps they play too loosely defensively and would have been ripe to be upset by the Senators. If it were Montreal, perhaps Ottawa was set up with the better four-line, three-defence pairs depth chart to run a smaller, less physical team out of the rink. Tampa Bay came with some injury questions, a star goalie who has had three consecutive “meh” playoff performances, and a missing No. 1 defenceman.

But Carolina? They’re basically the more experienced, more polished version of the Senators.

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For as solid an upset bet as Ottawa looked to be (again, if they got the goaltending), the Hurricanes present the toughest potential matchup they could have drawn. The Canes are similar in style, slightly better by the numbers, and have had a relatively solid eight-year run under head coach Rod Brind’Amour, who has gotten them to multiple conference finals. Carolina hasn’t gotten over the hump yet and is in danger of becoming this generation’s San Jose Sharks, but their disappointment tends to come in the later rounds.

Still, this is a highly intriguing matchup, close on paper and similar in the areas of the roster that are concerning.

This will be the first time these two teams have ever met in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and it’s set up to be one heck of a series. Can Ottawa take last year’s playoff return, first-round elimination, and build off it? Can Carolina make its way through a wide-open Eastern Conference and finally make it to the Stanley Cup Final that’s eluded them?

Here’s a look at our Round 1 preview.

HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD

Hurricanes: 1-1-0
Senators: 1-1-0

Hurricanes X-Factor: Bussi, or Andersen… or Kochetkov?

What a strange year it’s been in Carolina’s net, and after 82 games, the picture is murkier than ever. Brandon Bussi began the season as the No. 3, but when an injury befell Pyotr Kochetkov (suspected to be season-ending) and poor play caught up with Frederik Andersen, Bussi was given his shot, and by mid-February, he had run up a 23-3-1 record. He even earned a contract extension mid-way through the season and looked to be taking over as the No. 1.

However, Bussi’s play post-Olympics has cratered to an .865 save percentage, among the worst in the league. Andersen hadn’t been that much better, and, in a shocking development given the earlier indications of his injury, Kochetkov returned to practice with the team, got an AHL stint, and was even lined up to play Carolina’s final regular-season game before he was a late scratch due to a “roster technicality.” He may yet play himself into this equation.

All told, Carolina has a great depth of three goaltenders, but none of the healthy ones had been playing all that well down the stretch, and the other is coming off a major injury. For as strong as Carolina’s underlying numbers are and as much playoff experience as they have, will one of these goaltenders stand up and meet the moment?

Senators X-Factor: Do they have enough offensive finishers?

It’s funny when you compare the Senators and Hurricanes by the numbers to see how similar they are. They are both strong defensively and also create a lot of offence. You’ll see both teams among the best in the league in goals and expected goals in the 2026 portion of the season, as well as among the best in shots against and expected goals against.

But in just about every case, Carolina is just a little bit better than Ottawa. You could easily make the case that the Senators are the mini version of the Hurricanes, structurally strong on defence, and dangerous attacking on offence.

Over the years, as Carolina has had continued playoff success, in that they’ve won several rounds, ultimately, they’ve fallen short every time, often because they haven’t had the game breakers to lift them past other tight-checking teams. And that’s what we wonder about this year’s Senators. Tim Stutzle and Drake Batherson were their top two scorers last season, but the two combined for three goals between them in last year’s six-game series loss to Toronto. Brady Tkachuk is the spiritual leader of the club and managed 22 goals in 60 games, but that total was far below his “expected” goals of 31.03. Dylan Cozens, Shane Pinto and Fabian Zetterlund round out Ottawa’s top six scorers from last season, and those three players also combined for only two playoff goals last spring.

So, against the tough-checking Canes, who can match and exceed what Ottawa throws at it, will the Senators be able to bury the puck enough to get through?

ADVANCED STATS
(5-on-5 totals from Natural Stat Trick)

TEAM	CF%	GF%	xGF%	SV%	SH%
Hurricanes	59.78 (1)	53.49 (8)	55.89 (2)	.895 (26)	8.89 (24)
Senators	52.85 (5)	53.49 (8)	54.54 (3)	.893 (27)	9.96 (12)

REGULAR SEASON STATS

TEAM	PP%	PK%	GF/G	GA/G
Hurricanes	24.9 (4)	80.5 (11)	3.55 (2)	2.88 (7)
Senators	24.0 (8)	75.7 (29)	3.35 (8)	2.99 (13)

CAROLINA STORYLINES

1. Can they keep their streak of first-round series wins going?

This will be Carolina’s eighth playoff appearance in a row, all under head coach Rod Brind’Amour, and they’ve gotten past the first round in each of the previous seven. They’ve made it to three of the past seven Eastern Conference finals, and so have been just on the verge of making it into the Stanley Cup Final. However, in reality, every time they’ve reached the third round, they’ve been blown away. In those three appearances, Carolina has won just a single game.

Of the 10 series the Hurricanes have won under Brind’Amour, eight came against Metropolitan Division teams, and just one was against an Atlantic team (the other was against Nashville in the re-aligned pandemic season). This year, they’re playing an Atlantic team right out of the gate, and despite finishing first in the conference, Carolina is not drawing a soft opponent. This will be their biggest test yet in the opening round.

2. Will enough offensive difference makers step up this year?

We labelled this as the X-Factor for Ottawa, and for Carolina, it’s just a yearly narrative now that tends to catch up to them. Can it be different this time? Usually, Carolina’s lack of a game breaker — a true superstar — nips them in the later rounds, but given how similar this opponent is to their own game, the Canes might be tested in this area of relative weakness earlier in this year’s playoffs.

One addition to this year’s team has a chance to make a huge difference. Nikolaj Ehlers was, for years, an underused, very productive player in Winnipeg, and he delivered them five goals in eight post-season games last year. With Carolina, Ehlers set new career-highs in assists and points and was used just about everywhere in the lineup, finally ending up on the third line with two of Carolina’s best checking forwards.

So, Carolina will be looking to the usual players on the top lines — Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, Seth Jarvis — to carry the offence, but perhaps having their second-highest point getter on the third line can help with the spread. Yes, Carolina can create offence, but they had the worst shooting percentage (re: finishing) among all Eastern Conference playoff teams.

3. Will they be able to put up with, and fight through, Ottawa’s physical game?

The Senators had more recorded hits than any other playoff team this season, and so we know they will bring the physicality to Carolina. We know Tkachuk won’t be shy to lean into this style of game, and neither will Nick Cousins or Dylan Cozens, and Fabian Zetterlund isn’t afraid to get his body involved. The Senators will be looking to wear down Carolina, and while the Hurricanes have toppled “physical” teams in the past, again, this opponent is also the most skilled they’ve seen in the first round, so the combination will be unlike anything the Canes have gotten used to playing against so early in the tournament.

OTTAWA STORYLINES

1. Can Linus Ullmark deliver an upset?

The Senators spent a lot of money to bring in Vezina Trophy winner Ullmark to their team last year with the expectation he’d settle their crease and be the final piece of an emerging roster. In Year 1, he delivered on that promise in the regular season. And while Year 2 was certainly more bumpy — the goaltending was keeping Ottawa out of the playoffs for the longest time — he finished with a .926 save percentage in six April starts. Post-Olympics, Ullmark went 12-4-3 with a .902 SV% and 2.51 GAA, so perhaps he’s coming around at just the right time.

2. Will this be Jake Sanderson’s break out performance to a national audience?

You don’t need to tell Senators fans how great Sanderson is. Every night, Sanderson plays against top competition, leads Ottawa’s blue line in average minutes at even strength, on the power play, and on the penalty kill, and in 67 games played, he posted 54 points. That 0.81 points per game mark ranked 14th among all NHL defencemen.

He and partner Artem Zub have formed one of the best — perhaps underrated — top pairings in the NHL. With Sanderson on the ice at 5-on-5, the Sens control the run of play and earn nearly 57 per cent of all shots taken and outscore the competition by 12 goals. Zub, in fact, was Ottawa’s plus-minus leader this season.

But how aware is the rest of the league, and other teams’ fans, of Sanderson’s capabilities? Against Carolina, Sanderson will play opposite Jaccob Slavin, who was long one of the more underrated defensive defencemen and is now one of the most recognized for what he does well. If Sanderson can tip the scales in Ottawa’s favour when he’s sharing the ice with Slavin, the Senators will be in a great position.

3. The third line’s ability to stall Carolina’s attack

In such a tight series statistically, and against an opponent that on paper has a lot of lines that will attack you in waves, we have to wonder where the Senators could slow down the Hurricanes. And for that, we turn to the third line, specifically the Shane Pinto and Michael Amadio duo.

Pinto scored 20 goals for his third full season in a row, while Amadio was not far behind and put up a career-best 35 points at 29 years of age. But the real strength these two bring to the team is their defensive play, which drew a little attention for Selke consideration this season.

Often challenged in the shutdown role, when Amadio and Pinto shared the ice together at 5-on-5 this season, the Sens outshot opponents 319-266 and outscored them by three, an advantage that might be the difference in this opening-round series.

2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Series Preview: Sabres vs. Bruins

Ryan Dixon — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:39:46 EDT

For the past 15 years, the Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins have lived completely opposite experiences.

From 2012 through 2025, when the Sabres played a grand total of zero playoff games, the Bruins posted the second-most post-season victories (69) of any team in the NHL.

But as any hockey fan in Western New York can tell you, not only is the drought over, but the Sabres have also won their division for the first time since 2010.

The team that knocked them out of the playoffs in Round 1 as a lower seed that year? Yep, these same Bruins.

From Rick Jeanneret’s famous “May Day” call 33 years ago — celebrating Buffalo’s shocking four-game sweep of the favoured Bruins that concluded with an all-time OT marker by Brad May — to another series-ending strike 10 years before that, when Boston’s Brad Park sent the Sabres packing with a Game 7, overtime goal in 1983, these clubs have combined for some memorable playoff moments.

Of course, the Sabres are creating a meaningful memory for a new generation of fans simply by making the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs after a 14-year absence.

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And, really, saying Buffalo has “made” the post-season is underselling it; the Sabres are charging into the derby as one of the best teams in the league. In fact, since the calendar flipped to 2026, Buffalo’s .733 points percentage is the top number in the NHL.

Less celebrated, though, is the fact the third-best mark belongs to Boston (.683).

The Bruins were never going to win a narrative battle with Buffalo given the protracted heartache there, but Boston’s quick turnaround from a team that finished 28th overall last year to one that immediately returned to the playoffs — on 100 points, no less — is very impressive.

Now, whether you’re a young Sabres fan who’s never seen your team in the playoffs or a spoiled Bruins backer who thinks one spring away was too long, you can look forward to a Boston-Buffalo series with the potential to create another classic moment.

HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD

Sabres: 1-1-2
Bruins: 3-1-0

Sabres X-Factor: Home-ice advantage

The atmosphere at KeyBank Center for Game 1 is going to be unhinged and the Sabres have to hope they can ride the wave of a crowd that will be going out of its mind. If ever there was a time to put stock in something as unquantifiable as “vibes,” this is it.

Bruins X-Factor: The newest young player

James Hagens may not even draw into the Bruins lineup for Game 1 of the series, but the seventh-overall pick from 2025 is an interesting new toy for coach Marco Sturm to consider. Hagens, once projected to be the top pick in his draft class, could provide a spark of offence on the third line if the B’s need it. He’s looked capable in the two games he suited up for after jumping to the NHL following his sophomore year at Boston College.

ADVANCED STATS
(5-on-5 totals from Natural Stat Trick)

TEAM	CF%	GF%	xGF%	SV%	SH%
Sabres	49.28 (17)	55.30 (3)	49.95 (18)	.914 (8)	10.65 (5)
Bruins	48.92 (19)	54.98 (5)	46.66 (27)	.917 (4)	10.62 (6)

REGULAR SEASON STATS

TEAM	PP%	PK%	GF/G	GA/G
Sabres	19.5 (21)	81.9 (4)	3.45 (5)	2.93 (11)
Bruins	23.4 (9)	77.0 (24)	3.27 (11)	3.01 (14)

BUFFALO STORYLINES

1. Playoff newbies

As exciting as all this is for the Sabres, it goes without saying that this team is not long on playoff experience. From Tage Thompson to Rasmus Dahlin to Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, just about all the key players on Buffalo will be making their NHL playoff debut. Of course, the counter to that is the steady hand at the rudder, Lindy Ruff. The veteran has been behind the bench for 132 career post-season contests, more than every coach in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs save Anaheim’s Joel Quenneville (225) and Tampa’s Jon Cooper (155).

The Sabres play a go-for-it brand of hockey and it will be interesting to see how that translates to the second season, when things tend to clamp up a bit. That said, where Buffalo does profile as a team that’s built for spring is on the scale. The Sabres are a heavy squad that can lean on opponents and the defence corps, in particular, is loaded with tall bodies gripping long sticks that can make it seem like there’s nowhere for attackers to maneuver.

Expect Boston’s bruising fourth line of Sean Kuraly between Tanner Jeannot and Mark Kastelic to try and soften up the big Buffalo blue line.

2. Power outage

The Sabres are one of the higher-scoring clubs in the league, but Buffalo’s power play really struggled down the stretch. Since March 10, the Sabres rank 30^th in the NHL with a PP conversion rate of just 14 per cent. Much of that is driven by an awful end to the season, which saw Buffalo go 0-for-22 in its final seven outings. Goals can obviously be harder to come by in the post-season and this squad is going to have to generate a timely PPG here and there to keep pace.

3. Local boy done good

Alex Tuch is a unique presence on the team, not only because he’s a Western New York native who grew up cheering for the Sabres, but because he’s the rare player on the club who brings a host of experience to the table thanks to his time with the Vegas Golden Knights. Combine playoff know-how with his big frame and soft touch, and it’s easy to see why Tuch could be a vital player for the squad. Of course, all this comes against the backdrop of the reality that, as a pending-UFA, his future with the Sabres is up in the air. Nobody is going to be more hyped for the return of playoff hockey to Buffalo than Tuch.

BOSTON STORYLINES

1. Sway the series

Jeremy Swayman was one of the top stoppers in hockey this year. Among goalies with at least 35 appearances, Swayman had the highest goals saved above expected/60 of any goalie in the league. Two years ago, Swayman was a huge reason Boston ousted Toronto in the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, posting a .950 SV% in six games versus the Leafs and finishing that post-season with a .933 mark in a dozen contests. If Boston wins this series, it’s easy to imagine Swayman being the No. 1 difference-maker.

2. Scoring balance

David Pastrnak is the 100-point megastar and fellow top-liner Morgan Geekie validated a breakout from last year with a monster 39-goal season this time out. But for the Bruins to do anything against Buffalo, the B’s need the second line of Pavel Zacha between former Sabre Casey Mittelstadt and Viktor Arvidsson to keep firing. Zacha’s 15 goals since March 1 are more than everyone in the league except Montreal’s Cole Caufield (16), and Arvidsson — acquired from the Oilers in a salary dump for a fifth-rounder — has 24 points in 22 outings during that span.

On the back end, Charlie McAvoy is producing at a higher rate than at any other point in his career, averaging a point-per-game in the back half of the season. Overall, where Buffalo lacks experience, the likes of McAvoy, Pastrnak and, to a lesser degree, Swayman — Boston’s most important players — have tons of playoff experience to draw on.

3. Home cookin’

Every team that starts the playoffs on the road is happy to return home with a split, but if the Bruins can make it back to Boston with a win from the first two games in Buffalo, the B’s will be feeling extra confident about their chances. The Bruins were extremely tough to beat at TD Garden this season, finishing the year with a .720 points percentage on home ice that was second only to the Carolina Hurricanes (.732). Boston was the stingiest team in the league playing in friendly confines, surrendering just 2.54 goals per game. If they can grind out one road victory, the B’s may feel as though they can take care of the rest at home.

However, it should be noted that the Sabres were also tough to beat in their own building, posting the fourth-best home-ice points percentage at .695.

2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Series Preview: Penguins vs. Flyers

Sonny Sachdeva — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:48:06 EDT

It was worth the wait.

For the two clubs on either side of Pennsylvania, it’s been a rough few years. The Pittsburgh Penguins have waded through three seasons without playoff hockey. For the Philadelphia Flyers, it’s been a half-decade. But here, in 2026, the longtime rivals have made it back, have clawed their way to the post-season spotlight once more, and will renew hostilities in the first Battle of Pennsylvania since 2018.

Pens-Flyers. The vets versus the kids. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and a Penguins club that awoke like a hand shooting out of a grave; Trevor Zegras, Owen Tippett, and a young, hungry Flyers squad forging a new identity on Broad Street. What more could we ask for?

For both of these clubs, it will be a pivotal series.

The Pens arrive at Game 1 in the twilight of the Crosby-Malkin era, the franchise’s legends nearing the end of their illustrious careers. For a spell there, it seemed like we might never get to see them play post-season hockey again. We’ve been given one more chance. Whether we get another is anyone’s guess. But you can be certain Nos. 87 and 71 understand just how fleeting this opportunity is, and will be looking to make the most of it.

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The Flyers’ core finds itself at the opposite end of that timeline. Though a few veterans with playoff experience remain, for the club’s new blood, the 2026 post-season will be their introduction to playoff hockey. It will mark a clear step forward for a Philly side that’s been wallowing in the division’s basement of late, their future uncertain. And it will give the likes of Zegras, Tippett and Matvei Michkov a chance to begin building their legacies on the game’s biggest stage.

But it won’t come easy. The man leading the Flyers into this battle knows it, having been on the other side back when the Penguins were at their best.

“You know, I’ve won a couple Cups with Crosby, Malkin and Letang. These guys, they don’t die,” head coach Rick Tocchet said earlier this week. “These guys are just warriors. We’re going to have our hands full. We’re going to have to have some game-planning here this week. But those guys don’t die.

“It’s going to be a tough series. And we’re going to have to go after those guys.”

HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD

Penguins: 2-0-2
Flyers: 2-2-0

Penguins X-Factor: Anthony Mantha and the Pens’ third line

Among all the shrewd swings taken by Kyle Dubas as he’s retooled the Pens over the past few years, Anthony Mantha no doubt sits among the clearest wins for the Penguins president and GM. The 31-year-old arrived in Pittsburgh fresh off a couple tumultuous seasons split between Washington, Vegas and Calgary, and caught fire in black and gold. A career year from the winger saw Mantha finish the campaign with a team-leading 33 goals and a personal-best 64 points. But the key is where in the lineup those contributions are coming from.

The last time the Penguins truly made waves in the playoffs — during their back-to-back Cup runs in 2016 and 2017 — they found success on the back of their offensive depth. Most notably, the first of those two runs saw the fan-favourite ‘HBK line’ dominate the post-season, the Pens’ third-line trio of Carl Hagelin, Nick Bonino, and Phil Kessel all finishing among the club’s top five playoff scorers. Now, for the first time in years — and with Bonino coincidentally back in Pittsburgh as an assistant coach — the Pens’ third line has some juice once again, led by Mantha, fellow big man Justin Brazeau, and teenage wunderkind Ben Kindel.

The three newcomers, who all arrived this past summer, combined for 67 goals in the regular season. While much will still rest on the performances of veterans Crosby, Malkin and Erik Karlsson — and there are other new arrivals who will be pivotal too, like Egor Chinakhov — all eyes will be on Pittsburgh’s new third line making waves in Round 1.

Flyers X-Factor: Late-addition rookie Porter Martone

Philly’s youth movement has been a crucial part of their success of late. There’s 2023 No. 1 pick Matvei Michkov, who found his game in the latter half of his sophomore campaign, leading the Flyers in scoring since the Olympic break. There’s Zegras, who’s turned in a career year since joining the club in June, and others like Jamie Drysdale and Tyson Foerster continuing to progress, too. But the Flyers might not be in the playoffs in 2026 without the late addition of 19-year-old Porter Martone.

Drafted sixth overall by the Flyers last June, Martone joined the big club in late March after a sterling season at Michigan State that saw him stack 25 goals and 50 points over 35 games. In the two weeks since, Martone’s been a revelation for Philly, emerging as one of the club’s most dangerous offensive weapons. The winger put up four goals and 10 points over his nine regular-season games down the stretch — the highest and second-highest sums on the team since he joined, respectively — while pacing the club with 32 shots in that span. It’s not just the production though, it’s the approach. The six-foot-three, 210-pound winger has looked quintessentially Flyer-like since he donned those Philly threads, establishing himself in the top six alongside veterans Christian Dvorak and Travis Konecny.

The Pens need no reminder of just how crucial young, hungry talent can be in the post-season. The club hung Stanley Cup banners with some key performances from rookies like Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust a decade ago. Philly won’t be dreaming that big just yet, but there’s little doubt Martone will be a key part of whatever the post-season future brings for the Flyers.

ADVANCED STATS
(5-on-5 totals from Natural Stat Trick)

TEAM	CF%	GF%	xGF%	SV%	SH%
Penguins	50.17 (13)	53.74 (7)	51.52 (7)	.901 (21)	11.13 (2)
Flyers	47.74 (26)	51.94 (13)	50.71 (13)	.905 (18)	10.24 (10)

REGULAR SEASON STATS

TEAM	PP%	PK%	GF/G	GA/G
Penguins	24.1 (7)	81.4 (6)	3.54 (3)	3.15 (22)
Flyers	15.7 (32)	77.6 (22)	2.93 (21)	2.91 (10)

PITTSBURGH STORYLINES

1. Another chapter for Sidney Crosby’s legacy against Philly

There are few clubs No. 87 seems to enjoy tormenting more than the Philadelphia Flyers. The captain’s battles with the Pens’ longtime rival have been a key part of his lore in Pittsburgh. Over the past two decades, he’s potted more goals against Philly than any other NHL club — an absurd 60 over 93 regular-season games. His 139 points against the club rank as the most any single NHL player has posted against the franchise. In the post-season, he’s been no less lethal. Crosby’s suited up for four playoff series against Philly over the years, in 2008, 2009, 2012, and 2018 — in that span, the future Hall of Famer’s amassed 15 goals and 36 points, and emerged with three series wins.

You can run down the list of reasons the Penguins’ leader is certain to be motivated come Game 1. His first taste of playoff hockey in four years. The uncertainty of how many more chances he’ll get on the post-season stage. The fresh memory of a disappointing Olympic tournament, cut short by injury. If it were possible for anything to add more fuel to that fire, Game 1 with the Flyers on the other side of the sheet might just be it.

2. Vintage Karlsson, Malkin return to playoff stage

For all the new blood driving Pittsburgh’s success this season, the resurgence of the club’s vets has been just as pivotal to their revival — two vets in particular. A glance at Malkin’s numbers might not make clear just how dominant the future Hall of Famer has been in 2025-26. Limited by injuries once again, Malkin put up 19 goals and 61 points over 56 games for the Pens. But go back through the film and you’ll see a clear difference in No. 71’s play this season compared to last year. Amid reports that the Pens were planning to part ways with the franchise legend after his contract concludes this season, the 39-year-old has seemed a man on a mission all year, attacking with the type of all-world dynamism that defined his best campaigns in Pittsburgh.

And then there’s Karlsson. The veteran rearguard hasn’t just improved his play in 2025-26, he’s become the crucial cog the Penguins expected him to be when they brought him to town in 2023. The 35-year-old approaches Game 1 playing undoubtedly his best hockey in a Penguins sweater — over the final two months of the campaign, he was not only Pittsburgh’s leading scorer, but among the top 10 scorers league-wide, putting up 31 points in 24 games since mid-February. Game 1 against Philly will mark Karlsson’s first taste of playoff hockey since 2019 — a run that saw him help lead San Jose to the conference finals. A meaningful run for the black-and-gold in 2026 will require a similar level from No. 65, and continued vintage performances from No. 71, too.

3. Time for the new-look goalie tandem to shine

The last three playoff series Pittsburgh played ended with Tristan Jarry in the cage for the deciding game. That won’t be the case this time around, as the Penguins arrive at the 2026 post-season with a new-look tandem built over the past year. Since Stuart Skinner landed in Pittsburgh in December, he and Arturs Silovs have split goaltending duties, starting 27 and 25 games, respectively. They’ve performed relatively equally too, neither looking lights out in the cage, but both coming up with key moments en route to the Pens’ post-season return.

If there’s reason for the Penguins faithful to have hope in the pair, it’s what they’ve managed to do past Game 82. Skinner returns to the playoffs fresh off back-to-back runs to the Stanley Cup Final in Edmonton. Silovs has a promising stretch under his own belt from the 2024 playoffs with Vancouver, and is a season removed from leading the Canucks’ AHL affiliate to a championship — a run that saw him named Calder Cup MVP. That in mind, all eyes will be on who gets the cage in Game 1, whether they hold on to it for the series, and whether it’s enough to send the black-and-gold on to Round 2.

PHILADELPHIA STORYLINES

1. Momentum carrying red-hot Flyers into post-season

There are few truths that hold in the chaos of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, except this one: momentum is crucial. And while much will depend on the game-to-game swings that come once the series is underway, the Flyers arrive with some positive momentum already in their corner — since the league returned from the Olympic break, the Broad Street squad has been among the most unbeatable outfits in the league. Philly sat tied for third-last in the East before that February break in play — after the regular season resumed, no team won more games than the Flyers, who tied Buffalo with 18 wins in their final 26 games.

Perhaps most promising in terms of the chances of that success carrying over into the post-season is the way in which they won those games. Joining the club this past off-season himself, Tocchet has worked to instil a stronger defensive identity in this young Flyers group, an approach that proved crucial over the home stretch as the club clinched their post-season ticket. Over the final months of the campaign, post-Olympics, Philly’s 2.38 goals-against per game ranked as the second-best mark in the league, while the club’s 25 shots-against per game ranked top five. Against a Penguins squad that’s been among the most prolific offensive outfits in the league all season, that defensive prowess will be pivotal.

2. Vladar looks to continue career year with stiff playoff test

The under-the-radar addition of netminder Dan Vladar this past summer played no small role in that late-season success. The 28-year-old was brought to Philly after four years as a steady backup in Calgary, with Sam Ersson returning as the Flyers’ presumed starter. But Vladar upended those plans, wrestling away the No. 1 role, turning in a career year, and emerging as perhaps the Flyers’ most important player. Through 52 games in his first season in a starting role, the Czech netminder posted a .906 save percentage and a 2.42 goals-against average. But a deeper look at his performance makes clear just how crucial he’s been to the Flyers’ cause.

Per Natural Stat Trick, at 5-on-5, Vladar’s .926 save percentage ranks tied for tops among regular starters. His 20.98 goals saved above average at 5-on-5 ranks fourth-best among all NHL netminders, and his .850 high-danger save percentage at 5-on-5 ranks top 10 among those who’ve started more than a handful of games. There’s no doubt he’s been an essential piece for Philly to this point. But he’ll face a stiff test against Pittsburgh, who have no shortage of elite offensive options to throw at the Flyers. How well Vladar holds up against the barrage likely determines how far the Flyers go in their return to the dance.

3. First taste of playoff hockey for hungry, revitalized Zegras

There’s plenty of promise dotted among this young Flyers lineup. And after building throughout the 2025-26 campaign, fighting to earn their place in the playoffs, and finally cementing their return, the kids now have their first shot at building their post-season legacies. Perhaps the most interesting among that group is Zegras. Once heralded as a foundational piece in Anaheim, and the leader of a wave of highly-skilled young stars, Zegras arrived in Philadelphia last June after a rollercoaster two-year stretch with the Ducks. Injuries and inconsistent play soured his relationship with the club that drafted him ninth overall back in 2019. GM Daniel Briere capitalized, and took a swing — nearly a year later, Zegras has found his top form, putting up a career-best 26 goals and 67 points for the Flyers this season.

But it’s the bigger picture that’s the true key here. Zegras’s raw skill has never been questioned. It was the application of that skill over a full campaign. It was how it might hold up when the pressure and the stakes increase. Now comes the young pivot’s chance to prove his doubters wrong. The former Duck has been vocal about the fact that he’s playing with a chip on his shoulder, that he’s intent on proving his worth after being traded away. A return to the post-season, with Crosby and Co. on the other side of the sheet, brings a chance to prove just how valuable he can be for a franchise with playoff dreams.

Capitals’ Ovechkin hopes he hasn’t played final NHL game, uncertain on timeline

Sportsnet Staff — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:17:33 EDT

For the first time in his NHL career, Alex Ovechkin doesn’t have a clear next step.

After a season that sees the Washington Capitals and the NHL’s all-time leading goalscorer at a crossroads, Ovechkin isn’t ready to give a definitive answer on his playing future.

“I don’t know,” Ovechkin said when asked during the Capitals’ end-of-season availability Thursday about a timeline for his decision. “I’m not going to tell you how I’m going to feel in the next two weeks … after two weeks, yeah, I’ll figure out timeline-wise.”

The 40-year-old winger is coming off another productive campaign, scoring 30 goals while playing all 82 games, but the season was marked by inconsistency for both him and the Capitals.

Despite the uncertainty about whether he will return with the Capitals, Ovechkin pushed back on the idea that his NHL career is nearing a definitive end.

“I’m pretty sure it’s not my last game,” he said. “I hope it’s not my last game against Columbus. And like, how I said, like, I have to make a decision, to see where we’re at.”

Washington ultimately fell short of the playoffs, leaving Ovechkin to balance competitive ambitions with personal considerations.

“If I want to come back… first of all, we’re going to make the playoffs, and we have to fight for (the Cup),” he said.

That desire to contend appears central to his decision. Ovechkin made it clear that any return would hinge not just on his own readiness, but on the direction of the roster — something he has yet to discuss with management.

At the same time, factors beyond hockey are also in play.

“Family-wise, health-wise… but team-wise, I think this is the most important thing for me,” he said.

Ovechkin acknowledged that conversations with his family will weigh heavily. His children, he said, are already asking whether he’ll return — and hoping the answer is yes.

“My wife and kids, they want me to come back because they love the city, they love the team, they love the boys,” Ovechkin said.

Still, all options appear to be on the table — including the possibility of playing in Russia — though he emphasized any decision abroad would come only after determining his NHL future.

Physically, Ovechkin admitted the grind is only getting tougher. While he managed to suit up for a full season, he dealt with injuries and acknowledged the increasing challenge of maintaining elite form at his age.

“When you’re 20, it’s a normal thing. When you’re 40, it’s harder and harder every year,” he said.

Even so, he believes he can still contribute — provided he commits to the work required in the offseason.

“It’s up to me how I’m going to handle my body, how I’m going to train,” he said.

If this does turn out to be the beginning of the end, Ovechkin made sure to highlight one lasting memory from the season: reaching the 900-goal milestone — a mark no player in NHL history has hit before.

“Probably 900 goal… no one in history did it,” he said.

Maple Leafs’ Morgan Rielly: ‘Change is bound to happen’

Sportsnet Staff — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:33:20 EDT

Morgan Rielly knows his days in Toronto may be numbered, and it’s not the first time he’s thought like this.

The Maple Leafs defenceman has a full no-movement clause on the eight-year, $60-million deal he signed back in 2021, and he’s under contract through the 2029-30 season. Still, he knows he may be approached about a possible move following the disastrous year.

“It’s a challenging thing to answer when those conversations haven’t happened yet,” Rielly said. “But after a year like this, after any year, but especially after one that can be very disappointing, change is bound to happen.

“So I think, as an athlete, you have to be prepared for that. It’s not the first time that it’s crossed my mind, that’s not something that anyone believes that they’re not open to. So when that conversation happens, we’ll deal with it accordingly.”

The 32-year-old is one of the few Leafs who have experienced missing the playoffs before. Rielly missed the postseason in his first three seasons in Toronto and was here when they finished last in the NHL in 2015-16.

Despite the uncertainties, Rielly reiterated his love for Toronto.

“I’ve always wanted to stay, I still want to stay. I love playing here, I love being a Maple Leaf, and this organization means a lot to me,” Rielly said.

Highlights from other players

• Anthony Stolarz eyes more physicality: “We have to play like bastards. We have to play hard, and we have to play heavy. … We got served a slice of humble pie this year, hopefully that fuels everyone.”

• Matthew Knies on trade rumours: “I wouldn’t want to look at it as a compliment, I’d look at it as a crappy thing. I don’t want to leave this group of guys. … It doesn’t really matter what it was. I wouldn’t want to leave here.”

• Chris Tanev on injury-riddled season: “Awful. I played 11 games, it’s not good. Definitely sucks doing that. Watching wasn’t great as well, as we did not do what we needed to do on the ice.”

• John Tavares is planning to represent Canada at the World Hockey Championship: “Obviously, you want to be playing for the Stanley Cup, but anytime you get the opportunity to represent your country, and certainly the stage I’m at, you don’t take it lightly.”

• Joseph Woll doesn’t want to feel this way again: “For me, I think the thing I’ve been leaning into is how brutal this feels. It felt pretty crappy getting knocked out in Game 7 last year, and this is a whole different animal. It’s like a slow burn into the year, as opposed to it being abrupt. I imagine I speak for the team, but I don’t want this to happen again, and I wanna do everything in my power to make that the reality.”

Tortorella gamble pays off with Golden Knights’ rise to Pacific title

Associated Press — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 18:26:30 EDT

LAS VEGAS — General manager Kelly McCrimmon was walking away from the Golden Knights’ locker room Monday night after a victory over Jets, but he could have easily reversed course and done a victory lap in front of the assembled media.

McCrimmon probably would say it’s too early to celebrate because the NHL playoffs have yet to begin, and that will be the true measure of how successful Vegas’ season is viewed.

But it’s difficult to argue his controversial and bold decision March 29 to relieve popular and successful coach Bruce Cassidy of his duties and turn the reins over to John Tortorella hasn’t worked out.

Going into its playoff opener at home Sunday against Utah, Vegas is 7-0-1 under the fiery coach known as Torts, having risen from struggling to hang on to a playoff spot to claiming the Pacific Division for the fifth time in their nine years.

Front-line center Jack Eichel, who had 90 points for the second consecutive season, said Tortorella injected confidence in a team that was lacking it just three years after winning the Stanley Cup.

“Sometimes you need a reminder,” Eichel said. “He saw we have a really good hockey team in here and we need to believe in ourselves and in each other. That’s the first step to being a great hockey team is believing in ourselves. I think you’ve started to see that the last few weeks. We started to build more confidence in each other and our game.”

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The 67-year-old Tortorella, who led the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Stanley Cup title in 2004, said at his introductory news conference that he wouldn’t overload the team with information and make massive changes.

It’s a strategy he’s stuck to since then.

“I knew it was a good team coming in,” Tortorella said this week. “I know it was coached well prior to me. I had some points of emphasis, probably three or four, that I want to bring across to them. We’ve done that. I think they feel good about themselves. When you win some games, you feel good about yourself, and hopefully we keep on building on that.”

Tortorella made two notable changes that have worked.

One was to create a more aggressive north-south game. Vegas went from scoring 3.12 goals per game and allowing 3.07 to outscoring opponents on average 4.13 to 1.88.

“Attack the games. Put pressure on the other team,” Eichel said.

The other move was to go with Carter Hart as his primary goalie. Cassidy installed Adin Hill in that role down the stretch, but Tortorella coached Hart in Philadelphia and has spoken glowingly about him. Tortorella said Hart was carrying the Flyers into contender status in 2024 before he was suspended by the NHL as one of five 2018 Canada world junior hockey players accused in a high-profile sexual assault case.

They were acquitted last July, and the league reinstated those players beginning Dec. 1, and the Golden Knights gave Hart a chance. He has delivered under Tortorella’s watch, going 6-0 with a .930 save percentage and a 1.66 goals-against average.

“I think he looks dialed in,” Tortorella said. “I just think he’s making saves. He just looks confident, and hopefully that’ll continue. I think Hilly’s last couple of starts, he’s made some really good saves also. So going into the playoffs, if both of them are going well, that’s a good thing for us.”

McCrimmon said at the time that the decision to fire Cassidy was a difficult one, especially since the coach was responsible for the organization’s only Stanley Cup and they were consistently on the same page. But the GM said the season and its playoff chances appeared to be slipping away and there was little time to wait.

He knew the firing wouldn’t play well with the media because Cassidy was so respectful of reporters and provided extensive and detailed answers to their questions.

But that wasn’t the point.

“When we’ve changed coaches along the way — I’m going to say each time — it was likely viewed in this room as being unpopular or not the right time,” McCrimmon said March 30 at a news conference. “And I think in each case, the decisions were good ones.”

He wasn’t wrong.

The Golden Knights’ decisions to fire Gerard Gallant in 2020, Pete DeBoer in 2022 and Cassidy this year — all with winning playoff records — were met with wide skepticism. Then management largely got the results they desired.

That includes with Tortorella, but the post-season is coming.

Then the true verdict will be delivered.

So the victory lap is on hold — for now.

Beers, dinners and wins: How surging Sabres have become ‘close-knit’ group

Mike Koreen — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:39:55 EDT

BUFFALO — Less than two weeks after joining the Buffalo Sabres following a trade-deadline deal from the Winnipeg Jets, Luke Schenn quickly discovered there was a good feeling in the dressing room of his 11th NHL team.

On a trip through Las Vegas and California last month, the Sabres went for two team dinners — a telltale sign of a connected group in the veteran blue-liner’s eyes.

“There were two team dinners in four games, and then guys were hanging out back in the hotel, playing poker, cards, watching more hockey,” Schenn said before a recent home game. “Doing all sorts of stuff which teams do in the playoffs, and these guys are doing it during the regular season, which means you can’t get enough of one another.”

Schenn has been in his share of strong and, well, not-so-strong rooms after 1,100-plus NHL games

The Saskatoon native won Stanley Cups in 2020 and ’21 with the Tampa Bay Lightning, but also waited until the sixth season of his NHL career to play a playoff game after four misses with the Toronto Maple Leafs and one with the Philadelphia Flyers.

So, Schenn also has a good idea of what it means to end a playoff drought — which the Sabres will do this weekend after a painful 14-season run of absences. His experience could come in handy for a team without any recent post-season history heading into a first-round series with the Boston Bruins.

“I think guys really care for one another. That’s one of the things I experienced when I was in Tampa — how close the guys were off the ice,” Schenn explained. “Guys wanted to be around each other, you’re doing massive dinners instead of little groups and cliques. When you get back from dinner, guys are still wanting to hang out. Families are tight, wives and girlfriends are tight — which is a big part of it.

“Just the closer group you have, the easier it is to be in sync on the ice. That’s something I sensed when I got here, was how close the group was. Guys truly love being around one another and there’s lots of energy, lots of laughs … I’ve been around some rooms where you don’t have that and you don’t really have a chance to have success on the ice. I think it starts with a close group, which we have.”

Captain Rasmus Dahlin, preparing for his first career NHL playoff game, leads the Atlantic Division champs on and off the ice.

The Swedish defenceman has been through a gruelling year. His fiancée, Carolina, underwent an emergency heart transplant last summer while vacationing in France. Dahlin left the team in November, with permission, to spend time with her back home.

Since returning, Dahlin has excelled, along with the rest of the team. The Sabres made a huge push to the top of the Atlantic Division following the firing of general manager Kevyn Adams.

Carolina is now back in Buffalo, which has given the room a big boost.

“She’s a big reason why the culture is so tight here, and the foundation of the team is so solid,” Sabres forward Tage Thompson told Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic.

Dahlin’s sense of humour also seems to have galvanized the team.

The 2018 first-overall pick told reporters last month the team had been working on “team chemistry and the brotherhood” all season.

The natural follow-up was how do you work on brotherhood.

“Drink beer,” Dahlin said, smiling.

The simple answer was a hit. On a recent trip to a local tavern close to KeyBank Center for lunch, before Buffalo’s grudge match against the Tampa Bay Lightning, a patron at the bar was spotted wearing a cap with the words ‘Drink Beer’ along with a Dominik Hasek Sabres jersey.

“Right from the beginning of the year, we set out to become a close-knit team and it’s kind of been a focal point for us all year,” rugged winger Jordan Greenway said. “It includes a lot of different things, … whatever Dahls (Dahlin) said included. Everybody’s willing to stick up for anyone else. The winning helps, a lot of things help. But I would definitely say we’re a close-knit group.”

Schenn understands the power of raising a glass with teammates at the right time.

“Go ask Pat Maroon over there how many beers we had together,” Schenn chuckled prior to the game against Tampa. “I would agree with that. It started for us when we were in Tampa, Patty was good at getting the whole group together at the Global Series in Stockholm. That’s when we became a team. You’re in Stockholm for a week, you’re having a few drinks together, getting to know one another.”

The reaction of the fanbase has also added to the good vibes.

The Sabres sold out their last 18 games and had 24 full houses overall after just four last season, per the Buffalo News. They’re up to 11,000 season tickets for next season after approximately 9,000 this year.

Buffalo may be a small market, but the town tends to go hockey crazy when the team puts a good product on the ice.

The Sabres’ rise brings back memories of when the Buffalo Bills ended a 17-year playoff drought in 2017. Since then, the Bills have been one of the NFL’s top teams, playing in front of rabid home fans craving a first title.

Maybe something similar is happening for the Sabres. Or maybe they can even overtake the Bills and give Buffalo an elusive big-four-sport title.

“(The fans) love it. It’s been great to say. I’m excited for them,” Greenway said. “It definitely helps when you’ve got the fans behind us, we’re all feeling good. It makes things a lot easier.”

Detroit Red Wings re-sign John Leonard to one-year extension

Sportsnet Staff — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:59:29 EDT

The Detroit Red Wings have re-signed forward John Leonard to a one-year extension, the team announced Thursday.

The financial terms of the deal were not initially announced.

Leonard, 27, split time between Detroit and the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins this season, continuing to serve as a depth option at the NHL level while driving offence in the minors.

In Grand Rapids, he has been one of the team’s most productive forwards, leading the Griffins with 32 goals and 53 points in 46 games.

At the NHL level, he has provided short-term scoring bursts during call-up games, including a three-game point streak earlier in the season while filling in during injuries and roster adjustments. In all, he had two goals and two assists in 11 games with the Red Wings this year.

Since being picked 182nd overall by the San Jose Sharks in 2018, the Westwood, N.J. native has eight goals and 13 assists in 81 NHL games.

He joined the Red Wings as a free agent last summer on a one-year deal.

Panthers’ Aleksander Barkov eyes chance to play for Finland at hockey worlds

Associated Press — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:15:25 EDT

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Aleksander Barkov intends to play hockey sooner rather than later.

The Florida captain, who missed the entirety of the Panthers’ season because of a major knee injury suffered 20 minutes into his first practice of training camp, plans to accept an invitation to play for his native Finland at the world championships next month.

It would be his first time in competitive games since the Panthers won their second consecutive Stanley Cup last June.

“It’s a big honour to represent Finland for me,” said Barkov, who would have been Finland’s captain at the Milan Cortina Olympics in February if not for the knee injury. “One of those childhood dreams — to win world championships — is a big goal for me, too. So, I’m really excited about that. I’ve been working really hard to get in shape.”

If the Panthers were in the playoffs, Barkov’s comeback would probably have already happened. He’s been skating for months, but Florida knew all along that it would likely take most, if not all, of the regular season for him to be cleared for actual contact.

The Panthers — who had more than half of their regular lineup sidelined by injuries this season and currently have eight players on the roster with a fracture of some sort — fell out of playoff contention weeks ago, and that doomed any chance of a Barkov comeback this season.

“For him, I think it’s really special,” Panthers general manager and hockey operations president Bill Zito said. “He missed so much hockey, he wants to play hockey. It’s great.”

There are a few other Panthers who may play in the world championships, including Olympic gold medalist Matthew Tkachuk for the U.S. Tkachuk said Wednesday that nothing is finalized, but he would like to play — if healthy and if it makes sense for his family.

The worlds will be held in Switzerland starting May 15.

Blue Jackets sign coach Rick Bowness to extension

Associated Press — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:59:23 EDT

It didn’t take long for the Columbus Blue Jackets to decide if Rick Bowness would return as coach.

The team announced Thursday that Bowness agreed to a deal to be behind the bench for the 2026-27 season.

Bowness led Columbus to a 21-11-5 record after taking over for Dean Evason on Jan. 12.

“If you look at the body of work that happened here over the last 37 games, I’m very pleased with Rick’s work. I’ve said all along that the strengths of this organization from a coaching standpoint has been the communication he’s had with the players and getting them ready to play on a regular basis,” President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell said during a news conference. “It’s always interesting when you do make changes how players are going to respond. Through all the exit meetings that have happened so far, every player to a man said they love playing for Rick, they respect Rick and they’re all hoping he’d come back for another year.”

The Blue Jackets were in last place in the Eastern Conference when Bowness arrived. They went 18-2-4 in Bowness’ first 24 games and moved into a playoff spot after collecting a point in 12 straight games.

But Columbus struggled down the stretch, going 3-9-1 to miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the sixth straight season.

Bowness gave his players a lot to think about after a 2-1 season-ending loss to the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night. He launched into a 3-minute rant on the team’s effort and that “losing is not important enough to them. It doesn’t bother them.”

He also said that if he was back “we’re changing this freaking culture. I’ve been around long enough to know. I’ll find ways. I’ve got enough experience. I’ve dealt with this. I’ve dealt with it before. If we’re back, we’ll straighten it out.”

Bowness and Waddell said the comments were not a surprise to the players, since they heard the same thing before he addressed the media.

“Rick speaks from his heart. It was very passionate what he said and he cares and from a general manager standpoint, that’s what he asked for,” Waddell said. “Since Rick’s been here, I knew that he was all in on this. I give players the opportunity (to discuss the comments during end-of-season meetings) and to a man I heard only positive things, so I’m good with everything that’s happened.”

Bowness added on Thursday that he might have pushed things a little too far, and that he held himself as much accountable for the late-season struggles as he did the players.

“Now I have a reference point to them, and I can go to them in October and I can go to them in November; that’s the stuff that hurts us in March and April that you will not get away with then and you will not get away with in the playoffs.’ So that helps. That seed has been planted,” he said.

Bowness is expected to be the league’s oldest coach at 71 when next season begins. He has a 331-419-48-42 record in stints with the Blue Jackets, Winnipeg Jets (twice), Dallas Stars, Phoenix Coyotes, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins.

Columbus went 40-30-12 this season, the first time it has posted 40 games two straight seasons since 2018-19. The 92 points this season are the fifth-highest point total in club history, but the first time the team had at least 90 points and didn’t make the playoffs.

The Blue Jackets have Zach Werenski, who led the team with 81 points and is among the favourites for the Norris Trophy as the league’s top defenseman.

Center Charlie Coyle and left wing Mason Marchment, along with captain Boone Jenner, will be unrestricted free agents. Adam Fantilli, the third pick in the 2023 draft, is a restricted free agent in line for a lucrative extension.

Western Conference first-round matchup scenarios for Stanley Cup Playoffs

Sportsnet Staff — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:25:12 EDT

With the final day of the NHL regular season here, all 16 playoff spots have now been locked up.

All matchups in the Eastern Conference have been set, but some first-round opponents in the West are yet to be known due to the unresolved Pacific Division.

The Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks are all in action on Thursday, providing the final seedings for the Western Conference ahead of the playoffs starting on Saturday. Here are the potential outcomes:

Pacific Division No. 2 Edmonton Oilers vs. Pacific Division No. 3 Anaheim Ducks and Central Division No. 1 Colorado Avalanche vs. Wild Card No. 2 L.A. Kings

Oilers record one point vs. Canucks AND Ducks win vs. Predators
OR
Predators win vs. Ducks in OT/SO AND Flames win vs. Kings
OR
Predators win vs. Ducks AND Flames win vs. Kings in regulation

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P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings; C1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC 2 Anaheim Ducks

Oilers record one point vs. Canucks AND Kings win vs. Flames AND Predators win vs. Ducks
OR
Oilers record one point vs. Canucks AND Kings record one point vs. Flames AND Predators win vs. Ducks in regulation
OR
Flames win vs. Kings in OT/SO AND Predators win vs. Ducks in regulation

P2 Anaheim Ducks vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers; C1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC 2 Los Angles Kings

Ducks win vs. Predators AND Canucks win vs. Oilers in regulation AND Flames win vs. Kings

P2 Anaheim Ducks vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings; C1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC 2 Edmonton Oilers

Ducks win vs. Predators AND Canucks win vs. Oilers in regulation AND Kings win vs. Flames

P2 Los Angeles Kings vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers; C1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC 2 Anaheim Ducks

Kings win vs. Flames AND Canucks win vs. Oilers in regulation AND Predators win vs. Ducks

Time for seasoned Oilers to hit playoff gear against hapless Canucks

Mark Spector — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:55:11 EDT

EDMONTON — The Edmonton Oilers’ second season as a recovering Stanley Cup finalist has been … well, let’s just say they’ve taken it one day at a time.

They’ve learned how to get to April 15 in a comfortable playoff position, without expending too much energy along the way. How to maintain the level in everyone’s personal game to stay at or near the top of the Pacific, then find a team game when needed after the Olympic break — but not necessarily before.

How to be good enough, while saving your best for last.

Because if there’s one thing they know, it’s that you can’t play playoff hockey in December. Not if you plan on playing it in June.

“The expectations are to win the Stanley Cup,” Zach Hyman said Wednesday. “We lose in the final, we lose in the first round — we’re going to be pissed.”

When you’re in the middle of a Stanley Cup window, it’s all about the 16 wins from April to June. The 82 games before that, they’re crab cakes: the appetizer before the main course.

And the more playoff hockey you’ve played, the more that becomes ingrained in the DNA of an NHL team.

“Playoff experience,” began Hyman. “When you don’t have it, you don’t really think it’s that important. And when you do, you realize it is important.”

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Expound on that, could you?

“When you’re a young kid and it’s your first playoff game, you’re taken aback. Everything’s different,” Hyman, who will be in the lineup Thursday against the Canucks (Sportnet and Sportsnet+, 7 p.m. MT), explained. “Players play differently. Everything’s faster. Every play matters. It’s just a different, different game.

“That’s why you see teams like Florida, who had 98 points last year, and then they turned it on. They were the best team by quite a (distance) in the East.”

And, in the end, two games better than these Oilers.

Edmonton has been a 100-plus point team for four straight seasons. As we arrive at Game 82 Thursday in Edmonton, a point earned against the hapless Vancouver Canucks — and with playoff seeding at stake, can you envisage a world in which Edmonton doesn’t win by two or three? — the Oilers will close out the 2025-26 season with 92 or 93 points, good for (at least) second place in the pillow-fight Pacific.

Frankly, had Leon Draisaitl and then Hyman not been injured late in the season, the Oilers would likely have two or three more points and be home and cooled atop the division. But really, who cares?

“You want to put yourself in a position that you can be comfortable going into the playoffs, and obviously we’re not,” Hyman said. “We’ve got to win a game here. But at the same time, you still have the confidence that when you get in you can beat anybody.”

I know this: from about 2008 to 2011, if those Canucks teams needed a late season victory over Edmonton to feather their playoff nest, we all would have bet the house that the Sedins et al would take both points from those inferior Oilers teams.

Today, the skate is on the other foot.

“We’re pretty confident,” Hyman said. “I mean, it’s kind of how we’ve been the whole time. It’s a big game for us. Every game we go into we’re confident that we can win.”

Thursday’s game is, in fact, a chance to kick in a little muscle memory before the games start for real.

There is a chance, should Vegas somehow lose in regulation Wednesday, that a win could give Edmonton first place. More importantly, if the tumblers fall the right way, there’s a chance a regulation loss could send Edmonton down to Colorado for Game 1, with a slog through the Central ahead even if they pull off an improbable upset over the Avalanche.

Simply winning and playing either Anaheim or Los Angeles makes the stakes high in Game 82, a nice rehearsal for the gut-wrenching games that lie ahead.

“For a lot of us, these last few years, we’ve played a lot of hockey,” said veteran Darnell Nurse. “I wouldn’t say (playoff hockey) is the same feeling as a regular-season game — it’s more amplified, the context of the game. But there’s a familiarity and comfort to it.”

And they’re closing in on that game, just in time for the games they’ve been waiting for all season.

“This last week, we haven’t gotten all the results we wanted. But we played really well,” assessed Nurse. “It’s on us to bring that again against Vancouver — the full package. Be able to create some more offence for our team, but not at the expense of our defence.”

If your game isn’t at a point that makes a speed bump out of Vancouver — with this much on the line — then what’s next doesn’t really matter, does it?

Sharks sign Hobey Baker Award finalist Eric Pohlkamp to two-year deal

Associated Press — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:35:08 EDT

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Sharks signed Hobey Baker Award finalist Eric Pohlkamp to a two-year, entry-level contract on Thursday.

Pohlkamp was originally a fifth-round pick by San Jose in 2023 and went to Denver to play college hockey. The 22-year-old defenceman helped the Pioneers win the NCAA championship last week with a 2-1 win in the title game over Wisconsin.

Pohlkamp had 18 goals and 21 assists for Denver this past season, leading all college defencemen in points and goals. He was one of three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award given to the top college hockey player.

He had 40 goals and 58 assists in 119 career games at Denver. He also has international experience, scoring three points in seven games for Team USA in the World Junior Championships.

The Sharks recently named Pohlkamp their prospect of the year. His contract will run for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons.

How Travis Green transformed the Senators into a contender

Alex Adams — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:18:09 EDT

OTTAWA — Being an NHL head coach can be a thankless job, getting blamed for every loss and rarely given any credit for the wins.

There are exceptions to the rule, and that’s when you know a head coach is coaching.

As Travis Green told his Ottawa Senators recently after a game, “work your balls off.”

Maybe he was speaking about himself.

In January, the smart money said the Senators were going nowhere as they sat at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. They were analytics darlings, outshooting and out-chancing opponents with one of the best defensive structures in the league but weren’t getting saves or killing penalties.

That’s when you need your coach to rally the troops, which happened as the Senators brushed off the outside noise to make the playoffs. In fact, the team’s turnaround has rightfully put Green in the conversation for the Jack Adams Award for coach of the year. And he has his sights set on a Stanley Cup, no less.

Green’s story — and not just for this season — is one of perseverance, learning from his mistakes and growing as a coach.

It started with the Vancouver Canucks, where Green was coach from 2017 to 2021. His record was 133-147-34. It wasn’t sparkling, so when the Senators hired Green in May 2024, it raised eyebrows. But general manager Steve Staios saw something.

“That was that deep dive,” Staios told Sportsnet.ca. “We went through their roster, wins and losses, but also how they performed. … The easy way to do it would be wins and losses and Stanley Cups.”

Interestingly, the Old Boys club played no part in Staios hiring Green: the two had met just once before the interview process.

At the time, a lot of Sens fans wanted to see Staios pick Craig Berube, a Cup winner in St. Louis. “One of the guys out there was a Stanley Cup champ, and what I really dug into was where my team was at and who’s the right fit,” said Staios.

“I’ll never make a decision to win a headline.

“There’s been a number of times where it would have been easy for me to make decisions that our fans would have been excited about, but I wouldn’t be doing the right thing by the team.”

Well, Green has become a positive headline this season, while Berube has not in Toronto.

When Staios looked under the hood, he saw that Green consistently outperformed with a poorly constructed and rebuilding Vancouver team. Green managed to get the Canucks to Game 7 of the second round of the playoffs with a young Quinn Hughes, Bo Horvat, Elias Petterson and J.T. Miller.

”We started to dig into the numbers,” Staios said. “We went real in depth to try and figure out exactly (how) he got more out of teams on the defensive side. … We talked about it a lot in Year 1, where we wanted to establish that foundational defensive game, and then build off of that.”

Green told Sportsnet.ca that it was a learning experience coaching the Canucks.

“Head coaches have a lot of confidence in themselves, and when I went to Vancouver, I felt like I had a lot of things figured out. But you definitely learn a lot the more you do it,” Green said.

“I would expect a guy that’s a doctor or a lawyer is a much better lawyer after seven or eight years than he was his first year. And I think that’s definitely the case right now. Even system-wise, I’ve changed a lot of my systems that I originally came into league with. I’d like to think I’m a little bit of a hockey nerd, as far as studying and listening and watching hockey, but also just handling players and going through different scenarios, different situations. When to push, when to have patience.”

“Coaches are always better after their first job,” said Staios.

Green’s transformation of the Senators began with its defensive structure. From 2018 to 2024, the Senators were in the bottom half every season in goals against. Some of that was goaltending, but a lot of that was a mix of great talent but lack of structure in their game under coach D.J. Smith. Staios wanted a level of accountability for the team’s youthful stars, namely Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson, which they may not have had under Smith, the coach they had been weaned on. Don’t forget Elias Petterson’s best years were under Green.

From Day 1, in 2024, Green sought to suffocate opponents’ transition games by dumping the puck in, which allowed Ottawa to be great defensively. And he got Stutzle, Tkachuk and Thomas Chabot — all poor defensive players at the time — to become good defensively, even great in Stutzle’s case. The Senators are now second in expected goals allowed per game.

“They want coaching, they accept coaching, and it’s not always rainbows and butterflies. Coaching is being honest, and the players aren’t always hearing things that they want to hear,” said Green.

For years, the young core played exciting but not winning hockey. They needed structure and a kick in the butt.

“Honestly, ever since Travis came, he just taught us the right way how to play hockey, the winning way,” said Sanderson. “It’s not fancy. May not be fun all the time. It’s tiring, but he understands that. He gives us the rest when we need it, so we have the energy to go out and play that way every single time.

“Honestly, not enough nice things I can say. He’s honest, but he’s fair,” Sanderson told Sportsnet.ca.

“I’ve tried to promise myself to never forget what it’s like to be the player,” said Green, who played 14 years in the NHL. “That’s important for coaches.”

Nick Cousins said the fact that Green puts himself in “our shoes” is a major reason the team has rallied and tuned into Green’s voice. When they “need that video session or to come in and scream and yell at us …. (he) knows what buttons to push.”

In many ways, being a coach is as much about the human element as it is the Xs and Os.

“Sometimes, as a coach, you’re like a father figure, you’re a brother and you’re a friend, and that changes from day to day,” Green said “And I think if you can build a relationship with your team … but also have authority on how they’re going to play and when they’re going to play.

“How I treat Shane Pinto is different than how I treat Ridly Greig.”

Good coaches also learn from their mistakes.

Before the Senators went on a run at the end of January, their penalty kill was second worst in the league. Green switched out assistant coach Nolan Baumgartner for Mike Yeo to run the penalty kill. Since then, they’ve had the sixth-best unit.

“There’s times where you look back and (think), ‘Ah, maybe I should have handled that a little differently’, and that only helps you the next time it comes up,” said Green.

Green also realized his team could not play run-and-gun like others, so looked for a pragmatic defensive approach while growing the offensive side of the game. Ottawa now sits eighth in goals for this season.

“We don’t have a team that has 50-goal scorers, 100-point guys, but we have a real team that has a lot of good players. And they’re committed on both sides of the puck,” said Green.

But maybe the hardest channel Green navigated this season was the so-called outside noise: the drama that surrounded Senators on Team USA, Tkachuk’s dad’s comments, Linus Ullmark’s leave of absence and subsequent viral rumours about his personal life.

It was a lot.

But in December, with the team losing and with a ton of drama ahead, someone sent Green a note that became the mantra of the 2025-26 Senators.

“When you hear hoof beats, think horses, not zebras, and I actually wrote it up on my board,” said Green. “It just meant don’t look for something that’s not there.”

A few weeks later, in January, when the team was in the basement of the Eastern Conference, Green made his famous speech caught on video following a 7-1 win over Vegas.

“Don’t listen to the (expletive) white noise. Don’t listen to people outside this (expletive) rink. Zero negativity,” said Green. “Let’s go on a (expletive) run.”

We asked Green about his speech.

“That was around a time where there was a lot of noise around our team. Why were we not winning?” Green said.

“Especially in today’s world with social media … there’s a lot of noise around the team … (so it was about) not letting someone else’s opinion get in the way of what we want to do.”

It worked. The team launched into an impeccable 20-6-4 run all the way to the playoffs.

But Green isn’t satisfied.

“My goal is to win the Stanley Cup,” he said. “Plain simple, that’s what I want to do. I never got to do it as a player. And I want to win a Cup as a coach. … I firmly believe that this team has a chance.”

The best time of the year starts for Green against Carolina in Round 1.

Maple Leafs’ Nylander says injuries played a major factor in losing season

Sportsnet Video — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:19:28 EDT

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar returns to bench after taking puck to face

Associated Press — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:57:47 EDT

DENVER — The bruise and redness under his right eye taught Jared Bednar an important lesson: Keep your hands out of your suit pockets while on the bench.

The Colorado Avalanche coach is off the injured list and back with the team for the regular-season finale Thursday against Seattle after taking a puck to the face last weekend. Bednar missed the Avalanche’s two-game trip to undergo further evaluation. He was diagnosed with facial fractures and a corneal abrasion.

“That’s why you’ve got to keep your head on a swivel and your hands out of your pocket,” said Bednar, whose squad has the top record in the NHL this season.

Bednar was standing behind the Colorado bench when the puck flew off the stick of Vegas forward Keegan Kolesar, caromed over the boards and hit Bednar in the right cheek early in the third period. Bednar was helped to the locker room by a trainer.

“I would have had to have been Derek Jeter to not get hit with that one,” Bednar said in reference to the New York Yankees Hall of Fame shortstop. “Whenever you get hit the face or the head, it always stinks.”

Bednar underwent a series of tests and “got good news right away on the scans,” he said. “Then it was just waiting for a couple days to make sure my eye was OK. … It seems to be all good.”

Any chance he will wear a helmet while coaching from behind the bench?

“No,” said Bednar, the winningest coach in franchise history. “It’s just part of the game. There’s a lot of close calls, and when they don’t make contact, you’re like, ‘Oh, that was close.’”

With Bednar away, Avalanche assistant coaches Nolan Pratt and Dave Hakstol helped lead the squad. Colorado went 2-0 on the road swing, beating Edmonton 2-1 in a shootout and then Calgary 3-1. Bednar tuned in to watch.

“It was interesting to listen to the opposing teams’ broadcast talk about our team and talk about their teams as well, which I don’t really get to do very often,” Bednar said.

While Bednar is back, the Avalanche remain without defenseman Josh Manson (upper body) and forward Nazem Kadri (finger). Any concern with the playoffs starting for Colorado on Sunday?

“I expect our whole roster to be options for Game 1 of the playoffs,” Bednar said.

Sportsnet’s 2026 NHL Draft Rankings: April Edition

Sam Cosentino — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:32:07 EDT

Although the 2026 NHL Draft is quickly approaching, there are still a number of important dates ahead on the 2025-26 scouting calendar.

Several amateur leagues are in the midst of the playoffs, which means high-leverage viewings are at a premium. Scouts will be diligent in their scheduling, doing their best to catch players on weaker teams before they are eliminated. Players with late birthdays who have aged out of the World U18 Championship will be another priority to see now.

The top end of this draft class has a number of players with late birthdays. In fact, three of the top five on this list — Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg and Chase Reid — were born between Sept. 15, 2007, and Dec. 31, 2007, so they have all had additional development time in comparison to Keaton Verhoeff or Caleb Malhotra, who were born in June 2008. This definitely factors into the draft, especially beyond the top five.

The World U18 Championship begins April 22 in Slovakia, and by the time it wraps on May 2, scouts will have just enough time to get home to catch the NHL Draft Lottery on May 5. After that, there will still be a few other events for scouts to monitor.

We have the men’s world championship which will take place in Switzerland, beginning May 15. Scouts will have eyes on this event since a number of draft prospects with late birthdays will be eligible to represent their country. For example, it will be interesting to see if McKenna, Stenberg or Reid get the opportunity to play. Each has already been a part of their country’s national program, having most recently participated in the world juniors.

I would fully expect Alberts Smits to play for Latvia, as he has already participated in the Olympics. If he does, it would be the most interesting draft eligible hat trick in recent memory, representing his country at the WJC, Olympics and men’s worlds all in one season.

The Memorial Cup, which typically features at least a few high-end draft eligibles will take place in Kelowna beginning May 22. After that, it’s on to the NHL Combine at the end of the month and the draft itself from June 26-27 in Buffalo.

Now that you’re up to date, here’s our latest rankings, with a familiar face at number one.

No. 1: Gavin McKenna, LW, 6-foot, 170 pounds, Penn State (NCAA)

Is the offensive production we saw from him at the world juniors and in the second half of the NCAA season enough to overshadow some of the doubt created by off-puck play, consistency of effort, and overall defensive awareness? If the NHL team picking first overall believes it can continue to develop McKenna’s defensive game, his overall elite offensive skill set will win out.

McKenna will also have hype-train momentum on his side come draft day. Since he has aged out of the world U18s, McKenna will be in consideration for a spot on Canada’s entry at the senior men’s worlds in mid-May.

No. 2: Ivar Stenberg, LW, 5-foot-11, 183 pounds, Frolunda (SHL)

Finished the season with 33 points, good enough for third all-time amongst SHL players in their draft eligible season. Only Daniel (42) and Henrik (34) Sedin finished with more. More recently Leo Carlsson and William Eklund had 25 and 23 points, respectively, in their draft years.

Stenberg did cool down after an electric world juniors, but his all-around game married with a high level of compete will have him in the conversation to be the first overall pick right until the end. Like McKenna, Stenberg will also garner consideration to play for Sweden at the men’s worlds in May.

No. 3: Caleb Malhotra, C, 6-foot-1, 182 pounds, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

This is the time of year when Malhotra shines. He seems to be at his best when the games are most important and most difficult. On a veteran-laden Brantford team up 3-0 in their second round series, he continues to get prime-time minutes in every situation. With plenty of room to pack pounds on to his frame, an NHL pedigree, and a two-way game that’s equally as good on both sides of the puck, Malhotra looks like a centre that an NHL team can build around.

No. 4: Chase Reid, D, 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)

Over the last season and a half, no one in hockey has experienced a more meteoric rise than Reid. Right-shot defencemen who can skate like the wind, make deft, accurate passes, can transport the puck, and also run a power play are highly valued. Having the self-belief and persistence to travel his non-traditional path are traits that will not be overlooked.

No. 5: Keaton Verhoeff, D, 6-foot-3, 212 pounds, North Dakota (NCAA)

The overall body of work Verhoeff showed this season speaks to him being a surefire top-five pick in June. Scouts do have some concerns about his skating, and he makes some questionable decisions at times, but considering he played a key role for a Frozen Four NCAA team at 17 years old speaks volumes about his NHL potential.

The entire package he offers is highly sought-after in the scouting world, especially knowing how much room he has for refinement. Of note, Verhoeff’s 20 points this season are comparable to the point production Zach Werenski and Noah Hanifin had during their 17-year-old collegiate seasons over a decade ago. Unlike three of the four players ahead of him on this list, Verhoeff is eligible to represent Canada at the world U18s.

No. 6: Carson Carels, D, 6-foot-2, 202 pounds, Prince George Cougars (WHL)

Has been a leader at every level and continues to do the same as a young player on a perennial playoff team in Prince George, where he commands the respect of his teammates. He can eat a ton of effective minutes and has a presence at both ends of the ice. After missing two games in Round 1 of the playoffs, he has since returned with a vengeance, playing big minutes in all situations and producing points as well.

No. 7: Viggo Bjorck, RW, 5-foot-9, 177 pounds, Djurgardens (SHL)

One scout described Bjorck as “just a hockey player” because he goes about his business the right way. He is continuously in the battle and working hard to make things happen each and every shift. If he’s not producing opportunities for himself or teammates, Bjorck can be found hunting down loose pucks or tracking back to help out defensively. He may have a small frame, but that’s outweighed by his work ethic, compete and hockey sense.

No. 8: Alberts Smits, D, 6-foot-3, 205 pounds Jukurit (Liiga)

He’s had a “world-wind” of a year. Going back to last April, he represented Latvia at the World U18 Championship. He then started the season in the Finnish U20 league before being promoted to Jukurit’s Liiga team where he spent most of the season. In December he played at the WJC, then the Olympics in February, and by the end of the month he was loaned to EHC Munchen in the top German League. The men’s worlds is likely his next stop. The one constant is that Smits has played a minimum of second pairing minutes. Settling on one team next season will be key in his developmental process.

No. 9: Daxon Rudolph, D, 6-foot-3, 206 pounds, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

The 78 points Rudolph posted this season are the most by a draft eligible WHL defenceman in 23 years. Add in a robust 75 penalty minutes for the right-shot blue liner and you have a recipe for a player who will be selected high up the draft board. Rudolph brings great enthusiasm and is never afraid to make plays. There are times when he’s overzealous, but that will calm with age and experience. Rudolph is not afraid to mix it up, so opponents must be wary of getting hit or getting scored-upon when he’s out there.

No. 10: Oscar Hemming, LW, 6-foot-4, 198 pounds, Boston College (NCAA)

Hemming got off to a good start at BC, posting eight points in his first 12 games of college hockey. From a production standpoint, it didn’t end as well as he was kept off the board for the final seven games of the season. He has a power forward body and plays to that identity as an effective body checker who perhaps doesn’t always hit “hard”. Hemming has the awareness of where he needs to be on the ice and when to get there. He could be quicker off the hop, but his straight line speed is more than adequate. Teams will be attracted to his combination of size and skill.

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No. 11: Adam Novotny, LW, 6-foot-1, 204 pounds, Peterborough Petes (OHL)

Novotny checks all the boxes to become an NHL player. He has a sturdy frame, good hockey sense, and his effort rarely wanes. Novotny plays a simple and effective game, managing the puck well when he has it, and working hard to get it back when he doesn’t. He is a high volume shooter and he shoots it extremely well. What you see is what you get in Novotny.

No. 12: Marcus Nordmark, RW, 6-foot-2, 187 pounds, Djurgardens (Sweden J20)

Plays a highly intelligent offensive game. He can slow the game down, or he can push the pace using his speed, agility and deft puckhandling to create chances. He leans a little more to the distribution side of things, but there’s no doubt he can shoot it with an excellent release. He has seen plenty of power play time and that will be an area of strength for him down the road.

No. 13: Tynan Lawrence, C, 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, Boston University (NCAA)

Just started to get going at the end of what was a disappointing season for BU. Lawrence produced five points in his final five games after producing just two in his first 13 games of college hockey after making the switch midway through the season. There were also fits and starts at the beginning of his season when he was with USHL Muskegon, so some questions remain as to what he projects to be at the next level.

On a more positive note, his work rate and willingness to get involved are two traits that did not leave him when he transitioned to the NCAA from the USHL. He is one of the younger players in this draft class and there’s still the world U18s where he could leave a great lasting impression.

No. 14: Ryan Lin, D, 5-foot-11, 177 pounds, Vancouver Giants (WHL)

Was injured for a month earlier this season, which gave him time to reflect on his game, and when he returned at the end of February he looked revitalized. Lin already has elite skill and, with more refinement, he can impact the game in all areas of the ice. Offensively, he can dazzle along the blue line, finding lanes to get shots through to the net. In neutral ice, he closes quickly on plays and causes turnovers. In his own end, quick retrievals and nifty stick work allow him to evade the forecheck and initiate the breakout. He’s another player who’s likely to be on the U18 roster.

No. 15: Nikita Klepov, LW, 6-foot, 180 pounds, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

Klepov is fantastic with the puck on his stick, especially on the power play. He’s ultra-creative and exhibits patience when making plays. He uses elite puck skills along with sneaky-quick feet to buy himself time and space while opening up lanes to release shots, or find others in better areas of the ice. Although he finished just shy of 100 points, Klepov led the entire OHL with 97 points, a rarity for a first-year player in the league.

No. 16: Ethan Belchetz, LW, 6-foot-5, 228 pounds, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

The Spitfires are tracking to do damage in the OHL playoffs — currently up 3-0 in their second round series — and the longer they go, the better chance there is for Belchetz to come back from a broken clavicle. Up until he got hurt Belchetz was a featured player on a good team and, for the most part, he answered the challenge with 34 goals and 59 points in 57 games. He uses his size for leverage and has excellent hands as another means to buy himself some space. Having said that, asserting himself with more force and generally making opponents more aware of his presence every shift is something that will help him considerably moving forward.

No. 17: Ilia Morozov, C, 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, Miami-Ohio (NCAA)

Lauded for his tireless work ethic and for being a teammate with high character, Morozov has been another steady riser all season. It’s always impressive watching how a freshman fits into the college game, especially for him as one of the youngest in the lot. Morozov is an effective player both open ice off the rush, and also in the small area game where he displays plenty of deception with deft puckhandling skills.

No. 18: Oliver Suvanto, C, 6-foot-3, 207 pounds, Tappara (Liiga)

After playing most of the season in Liiga, Suvanto has spent the last month in the U20 loop. With that transition comes the expectation of point production and while that has not happened, he has proven to be an effective forechecker and shown defensive awareness. Despite being back in his own age group now, Suvanto looks to be playing a more cautious game than we have seen in the past.

No. 19: Xavier Villeneuve, D, 5-foot-11, 162 pounds, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)

Missed more than two months, but since he returned in the third week of March Villeneuve has played to his strengths. He found an additional gear to start the playoffs, and ended the first round with six points in three games. However, a bigger and more talented opponent in the second round has been a more difficult challenge. He inspires teammates with his high-paced play and competitive spirit. Because he is smaller in stature and because there are a number of talented defencemen in this draft class, Villeneuve will be fascinating to track on draft day.

No. 20: J.P. Hurlbert, LW, 5-foot-11, 183 pounds, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)

Wrapped up an incredible regular season with a hat trick in the second-last game of the Blazers’ schedule. A first round match-up against long-time rival Kelowna proved to be quite the challenge. The Rockets neutralized Hurlbert’s production by limiting his time and space, and so the Blazers were swept out of Round 1. This experience is exactly what Hurlbert needed to understand how to elevate his game when it is needed most.

No. 21: Wyatt Cullen, LW, 6-foot, 176 pounds, USNTDP (USHL)

He had some catching up to do after being injured earlier in the season, but Cullen looks to be on track to be selected comfortably inside of the first round. He is, by far, the most dynamic player the USNTDP has to offer this season. In fact, he’s one of the most dynamic players in the entire draft class. Cullen causes deception by changing his speed at will, he cuts well laterally and has plenty of tricks in his bag to beat defenders one-on-one or off the wall. Add to the fact that his birthday is one week too early for him to have been eligible for next year’s draft class, and you have added runway in which to develop the player.

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No. 22: Maddox Dagenais, C, 6-foot-4, 196 pounds, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)

When he’s on his game playing with pace and physicality, you see visions of at least a top-nine power forward. He has undercover skill and a powerful shot for when he is in finishing position, but he is a threat to use that shot anywhere on the ice. Dagenais has been exclusively used on the power play this season, not just because of his shot, but his ability to set-up at the net front or work off the wall. I think this is a player who will be undervalued by teams.

No. 23: Liam Ruck, RW, 6-foot, 177 pounds, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

He’s a little heavier than his brother, whom you will see further down this list, and Liam had a massive jump in production from the year before. In 2024-25, Liam put up 25 goals and 41 points then went off for 45 goals and 104 points this season. He scored in all situations, too, and finished second with 10 game-winners. It’s likely both brothers will be selected in Round 1 and scouts will have to “pick their poison” between them: Liam the goal-scoring winger, or Markus the centre?

No. 24: Malte Gustafsson, D, 6-foot-4, 201 pounds, HV71 (Sweden)

A smart player who understands the task. At the U20 level, Gustafsson is more assertive offensively and he has had some mid-level production. When he’s getting minutes at the SHL level, you see a more dedicated defensive mindset where the net front and board battles take on more importance. There is some offence in his game that projects to the next level, but he also has the knack to shut plays down in neutral ice.

No. 25: Alexander Command, C, 6-foot-1, 183 pounds, Orebro (Sweden J20)

A safe player with a good motor, Command isn’t the most electric player on the ice, but he is ultimately reliable in a number of situations. He has shown flashes of offence in his game and if that translates to the next level, he may very well become a second-line centre. He gets to where he needs to go on the ice because he anticipates the play well. Adding either another straight-line gear, or more get-up off the mark, would help his game tremendously.

No. 26: Markus Ruck, C, 5-foot-11, 167 pounds, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

Led the WHL with 108 points in the regular season, 41 of which came on the power play where he and brother Liam used their chemistry to help the Tigers to a power play success rate that exceeded 32 per cent. Markus’ game is not just power play driven, however. He lurks around the ice waiting to attack opponents in the offensive zone, or on the back track in neutral ice.

No. 27: William Hakansson, D, 6-foot-4, 207 pounds, Lulea (SHL)

This player has taken a slight downturn in the eyes of the scouting community, but I still like him. My viewings from the world juniors give me hope that he can be a two-way, slightly more defensive-leaning, complementary player. At the U20s, he picked his spots wisely, he defended well (albeit not the most physically), and he chipped in some secondary offence. While not as physical, I could see Hakansson playing alongside a Drew Doughty type in the same mould as Jake Muzzin.

No. 28: Nikita Shcherbakov, D, 6-foot-5, 187 pounds, Ufa (Russia)

Might be the most interesting player to track not only for this draft, but beyond it as well. His numbers have never inspired. The team drafting him will have to be patient with his development and not set high expectations for big numbers. This is a project pick that you can see developing the way Vladislav Gavrikov did when he was this age, although Gavrikov was a late-round pick. Shcherbakov will have value with teams that have no qualms drafting Russian players like Washington or Carolina.

No. 29: Yegor Shilov, C, 6-foot, 177 pounds, Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)

This player is somewhat reminiscent of Matvei Gridin (Calgary 28th overall in 2024) in that they have taken a similar path. Gridin was drafted out of USHL Muskegon before going to Shawinigan in his draft plus-one campaign. Shilov played is draft minus-one year in the USHL and torched the QMJHL this year with 32 goals and 82 points. In both cases, the skill stands out way over the will from these players but, just two years after the Flames drafted Gridin, he scored 19 points in 35 NHL games. It will be worth watching to see if Shilov’s skill can rise to NHL levels two years from now, and after he gets some experience in college play next season.

No. 30: Juho Piiparinen, D, 6-foot-1, 201 pounds, Tappara (Liiga)

Leans heavily to the defensive side of the game. He is a player coaches can trust in any situation that requires a defensive mentality. He doesn’t overwhelm you in any particular facet of the game, other than his consistency in defending. He moves well in all directions and maintains good gap control with a knack to know when to hold the offensive line. Overall, he projects as a complementary player to a much higher risk-reward partner.

No. 31: Tobias Trejbal, G, 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, Youngstown (USHL)

Trejbal capped an outstanding regular season having led the USHL with a 2.15 GAA. He finished second with 29 wins and third in save percentage at .916. Yet despite his size and numbers, he didn’t really make his mark until he was a late addition to the Chipotle All-American Game, where he stopped all 19 shots he faced in his half of the contest. In that game he exhibited quick movements, tracked the puck well and swallowed rebounds. He deserves credit for adapting so quickly to the North American game, which can be a challenge for European goalies.

No. 32: Ben Macbeath, D, 6-foot-2, 188 pounds, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)

A steady riser from the beginning of the season, Macbeath jumps off the page with his great skating ability. This allows him to roam free all over the ice. He competes hard and his feet are an asset at both ends of the rink. He can close quickly defensively, but also get up to initiate the breakout. Of note, he logged just under 39 minutes in the 1-0 triple overtime win in Game 1 of their opening round playoff series against Brandon. He hasn’t represented Hockey Canada before, but may get his first opportunity very soon.

‘Kinda relieved’: Maple Leafs’ most disappointing season ends with a shrug

Luke Fox — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 23:40:19 EDT

KANATA, Ont. — Sometimes the end arrives with a bang.

Screaming and fighting. Hung heads and blank stares. Spilled beer and sweaters thrown in disgust.

A frenzied and dramatic winner-take-all exclamation point on an eight-month-long journey.

Edge-of-your-seat, analyze-to-death stuff.

That’s how Toronto Maple Leafs seasons used to finish.

Not this one.

Nah, the final page of the 2025-26 Leafs’ season — a 3-1 loss to the surging and playoff-bound Ottawa Senators on a rainy Wednesday in Kanata, Ont. — was turned quietly and without emotion. Like the acknowledgments at the end of a tragic novel.

The final chapter of this sad tale was written weeks ago.

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And so, the Maple Leafs, coasting through a seventh consecutive loss with preseason-like electricity, skated through the motions at the Canadian Tire Centre. They got outshot (38-20) for the 17th time in their final 19 games.

James Reimer, the goaltender who tried out for the Leafs in camp only to land a gig a few hours east, got the win.

Ottawa’s organist cued up the locals for a few jolly but half-hearted choruses of “Leafs suck!” A “Matthews leaving!” chant burst out late from the upper bowl.

Seats went unfilled.

One man wearing a blue-and-white replica sweater and sitting front row pressed a handmade FIRE BERUBE placard against the glass in Toronto’s end throughout warmup and at various stoppages.

Eventually, that fan lost interest too.

It was the type of uninspired performance that would make Rick Bowness blow a lid.

Here? Now?

It’s shrugs and acceptance and how soon can we get outta town?

The Maple Leafs will clean out their lockers first thing Thursday morning, speak a few final clichés, then scatter for summer.

“You want to be going to the playoffs,” Toronto defenceman Simon Benoit said. “It feels like s— to be honest.”

The most disappointing season in the franchise’s 109-year history ends with a lottery-odds-boosting seven-game losing skid. Toronto went 0-for-April, putting a stamp on its worst year-over-year decline ever.

From 108 points and its lone regular-season Atlantic crown to 78 points and last in division. From a plus-37 goal differential to a minus-46, worst in the East. A 30-point swing in the standings and an 83-goal swing on the scoreboard.

“Tough finish, but I guess kinda relieved a little bit,” Nick Robertson said. “You’re battling a lot of thoughts, a lot of emotions.”

Why did it all go so wrong?

“There’s a lot of reasons,” Robertson said. “Lack of execution, buy-in, emotion on everyone’s part, including myself. You know, it’s hard. It’s unfortunate how it ended.”

Fans will cling to hope that the Maple Leafs, locking up fifth-last place in the NHL, won’t get leaped in May’s draft lottery by one of the six teams below them in the reverse standings. And maybe, just maybe, Toronto wins the lottery outright. The odds of that are 8.5 per cent.

Heck, the Leafs did precisely that in their last lost season, rewarded handsomely for their pain in 2016.

No team gave up more shots this season than Toronto (2,660). No franchise did less to stop the bleeding or act alarmed when the “check engine” light blinked bright orange.

This 18-wheeler didn’t soar off the cliff in a blaze of Thelma & Louise glory. It sputtered out of gas 10 miles from the nearest station, and everyone inside figured, ah, well, might as well catch a nap.

“It’s a disappointing season, definitely,” said Craig Berube, who outlasted GM Brad Treliving and has two more years on his contract with MLSE. “I’m not going to express all my opinions to everybody. I’m going to keep that inside.”

Quietly swallow the bitter pill and hope, somehow, the group learns something and returns… different. Motivated.

Humbled and hungry.

“It’s tough ending the season like this,” said William Nylander, who registered his sixth 30-goal campaign. “I haven’t been in this position. So, I mean, just go into the summer and be ready to have a big season next year.”

Troy Stecher is hopeful this is a one-off, an ugly blip caused by “a magnitude” of different reasons.

“That’s something the organization will dissect amongst the players and the staff however they go about it,” Stecher said. “But we’re definitely aware as players what went wrong within the room.

“We’ll just probably keep that private for the organization.”

Fox’s Fast Five

• At 35, John Tavares is both the oldest Maple Leaf and the only one to play all 82 games this season, something he hasn’t done since his inaugural campaign for Toronto back in 2018-19.

“That’s what you work all off-season for. That’s what you wait every day for is the ability to wake up and get to go compete and play in this league,” Tavares said.

Since Matthews went down to injury, Tavares slid in seamlessly to the dual role of captain and No. 1 centre, racking up nine goals and 19 points in 17 games while facing reporters daily and saying the right things.

A career-low minus-28 rating is tough to wear, but Tavares generating his eighth 30-goal and ninth 70-point season for $4.4 million makes him the best value on the entire roster.

• The Maple Leafs are light on unrestricted free agents.

Calle Järnkrok sat out Wednesday due to injury and has completed all four years of his $8.4-million contract in Toronto. Will another NHL team offer the 34-year-old a one-year deal for cheap? Or will Järnkrok keep his career going back home in Sweden?

Waiver-scoop Stecher, 32, said he has loved being a Maple Leaf and is hoping to re-sign in Toronto. But it’s tough for him to speculate on his future with no GM in place yet.

If Stecher does hit the open market on July 1, what’s his priority?

“A job,” he smiles.

Kidding not kidding.

“Guy like me, fighting his way off the league-minimum line,” he says, “I’ve battled to stay in the league.”

• Popular take: Nursing a bad knee and lobbed out in trade discussions, Matthew Knies has endured a setback season.

Counterpoint: Knies lost Mitch Marner and, later, Auston Matthews off his line yet still quietly produced more eight more points this season (66) than in his much-celebrated sophomore campaign (58).

“It’s been a grind for him all year,” Berube says.

• Rough ending for the Anthony Stolarz–Joseph Woll tandem that was so stellar last season.

Stolarz suffered yet another lower-body, non-contact injury in his final start, one that will impact his off-season training.

Since Jan. 15, Woll went a disturbing 4-12-5 with an .883 save percentage, albeit playing behind a defensively negligent team.

“Overworked,” Berube believes. “Faced a lot of rubber. Too much.”

Woll joined the team in mid-November and appeared in 39 games, five more than Stolarz but five below his own career high.

Can Woll carry a true starter’s pace?

“There’s a few things he probably has to think about and change a little bit to handle that type of load. It’s a lot,” Berube says. “Look at the goalies in the league. There’s only a handful of guys that play 50 or more games in a season.”

This season there were 19. Last season there were 22. Workhorses are on the decline.

• Yes, Berube saw Rick Bowness’s epic rant after the Columbus Blue Jackets phoned in Game 82.

“I’m not in Bones’ head. But for me, it’s like, losing has to hurt. It’s got to be vocalized in the room by your players,” Berube said. “Things have to be said in a not-so-nice manner. And when that happens in a locker room enough times, things are bound to change. You got to challenge each other. He’s not wrong.”

Do the Maple Leafs have a similar issue with not hating to lose?

“I’m not getting into that stuff,” Berube replied.

Blackhawks sign general manager Kyle Davidson to contract extension

Sportsnet Staff — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 21:07:11 EDT

The Chicago Blackhawks are sticking with their long-term plan under general manager Kyle Davidson.

The team signed Davidson to a contract extension, team chairman and CEO Danny Wirtz announced on Wednesday.

Terms of the deal were not revealed.

Davidson is currently in his 16th season with the organization and his fourth as general manager after initially serving as interim general manager for one season.

He was officially named the 10th general manager in franchise history in March 2022.

“Kyle has done everything expected of him. When he got the job, his first task was to rebuild our prospect pool… He very systematically and very confidently rebuilt that to where I personally believe we have the best prospect pool in the NHL,” Wirtz said.

Since being hired, Davidson was tasked with rebuilding a prospect pool that was among the weakest at the time.

During his time at general manager, the 37-year-old has added key pieces including forwards Connor Bedard, Anton Frondell and Frank Nazar, and defencemen Artyom Levshunov and Sam Rinzel. He also acquired goaltender Spencer Knight in a blockbuster trade with the Florida Panthers on March 1, 2025.

“We are committing to Kyle to continue the plan he has put in place. We feel confident in that…belief that he can continue to build a championship team,” Wirtz said.

Davidson holds a total record of 107-187-34 since being named general manager of the Blackhawks. The team is set to miss the post-season for the sixth straight year and eighth time in the last nine seasons.

Chicago sits 31st out of 32 teams across the NHL, with a 28-39-14 record and 70 points through 81 games. They end their season on Wednesday night against the San Jose Sharks.

Red Wings’ McLellan says he’s embarrassed after blowout loss in finale

Sportsnet Staff — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 22:40:05 EDT

The head coach of the Detroit Red Wings had some pointed words for his team after one final embarrassing loss against the Florida Panthers.

“I’ll tell you, both teams came in with nothing on the line, and you can see their championship pedigree,” Todd McLellan said. “So I’m going to compliment the Panthers, it runs throughout their organization, they came and they played and it meant something to them.”

The Red Wings lost 8-1 to the Panthers on Wednesday to put a cap on the club’s 10th consecutive season out of the playoffs.

Later, when asked how he could measure the team’s success — the Red Wings’ 92 points is the most the team has had during the 10-year drought — McLellan simply replied “I’m not even going there.”

The Red Wings led the Atlantic Division in January but went 8-11-4 after the Olympic break to fall out of playoff contention. Four of those regulation losses included blowin third-period leads, including one to these same Panthers on March 10, and another last Saturday to the New Jersey Devils, which mathematically eliminated Detroit from the playoffs.

McLellan was asked if the team should be embarrassed by the way the season ended.

“I think we all should be,” he replied, before walking away.

Maple Leafs lock up fifth-best odds in NHL Draft Lottery

Sportsnet Staff — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 22:14:36 EDT

The Toronto Maple Leafs now know where they stand entering the draft lottery.

The Maple Leafs ended their season on Wednesday with a 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators, locking Toronto into 28th place in the NHL.

That means the Maple Leafs have an 8.5 per cent chance to pick first overall, an 8.6 per cent chance to pick second overall and a 24.5 per cent chance to pick fifth overall.

It also means the team has a 44 per cent chance to drop to sixth overall and 14.2 per cent chance to pick seventh. If one of those two outcomes happens, the Boston Bruins will acquire Toronto’s pick as a condition of last season’s Brandon Carlo trade.

The Maple Leafs lost all their games in April, going 0-6-1, to fall down the standings. Overall, the team finished with a 32-36-14 record, its worst season since a last-place finish in 2015-16, after which it won the lottery and drafted Auston Matthews.

The NHL Draft Lottery is scheduled for May 5. The Vancouver Canucks have the best odds to pick first overall at 25 per cent.

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Sportsnet Staff — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:53:01 EDT

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Sportsnet Video — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:32:20 EDT

Oilers’ Zach Hyman returning to lineup vs. Canucks

Sportsnet Staff — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:52:01 EDT

One of the Edmonton Oilers‘ top forwards is returning just in time for the post-season.

Winger Zach Hyman is set to return to the Oilers’ lineup on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks for the team’s final game of the regular season, head coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters Wednesday.

Hyman has missed the team’s last five games with an undisclosed injury. Knoblauch said Wednesday that the team wanted to give him extra time to fully heal and rest ahead of the playoffs rather than rushing him back into the lineup over the last couple weeks.

“If it were a week ago and we were in the playoffs, I don’t think he would’ve sat any time out, but we wanted him healthy and ready for the playoffs,” Knoblauch said. “Zach felt comfortable getting a game in before he hits the playoffs, and he’s cleared and he’s healthy, so I think that’s a good idea to put him in and see what he can do.”

Hyman hasn’t suited up for a game since the Oilers’ April 2 showdown against the Chicago Blackhawks. Since then, the Oilers are 1-4. He did not travel with the team for their most recent three-game road trip.

Hyman, 33, has 31 goals and 20 assists in 57 games for Edmonton this season. He missed 19 games at the start of the season while recovering from wrist surgery, eventually returning to the lineup on Dec. 1.

With a game to go, the Oilers are still jostling for seeding in the Pacific Division. At 40-30-11, they’re two points behind the Vegas Golden Knights and one ahead of the Anaheim Ducks, meaning they could finish anywhere from first to third in the division, depending on the results from each team’s final games of the season.

Nostalgic, thankful Dion Phaneuf reveals 2004 contract heartbreak

Eric Francis — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:59:01 EDT

CALGARY — All these years later, Dion Phaneuf can finally tell the story.

The one about the spring of 2004, when the Calgary Flames were gearing up for what became the most magical, improbable run in franchise history. The one that people still talk about.

Phaneuf, then a teenage wrecking ball whose Red Deer Rebels had just been eliminated, had actually driven down Highway 2 with the intention of signing and joining the Flames for the playoffs.

He met with Darryl Sutter. He watched a game, and even got a visit from Jarome Iginla and Craig Conroy, who admitted afterward they were jacked about the imminent addition of the beefy blue-liner who the team had drafted ninth overall.

He waited while Sutter and agent Don Meehan tried hammering out a contract.

But the performance-bonus structure — standard today, contentious then — killed the deal.

“I did come down, and I did talk with Darryl, and we couldn’t come to terms on a deal,” revealed Phaneuf, while standing inside the Saddledome for what might be his last time.

“Yeah, I had everything here, all my equipment, and I was heartbroken to turn around and go back. I would have loved to play. I was a kid. But the business side of the game takes over sometimes.”

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So, with the Flames tied 1-1 in the Western Conference semifinals against Detroit, the future franchise cornerstone packed up his gear, got back in the car, and drove home to Edmonton. And, like everyone else in Alberta, he watched the Flames’ Cinderella run from afar.

“It was an incredible run,” said Phaneuf, of a string of upsets that gave birth to the Red Mile and fell one goal short of a Stanley Cup. “It was unfortunate we couldn’t come to terms.”

“Unfortunate” is one word to use. Flames fans might choose another.

Because after you hear this story, it’s impossible not to wonder: Would a fresh‑legged, first‑round pick like Phaneuf have made the difference in Game 7 against Tampa? A series Calgary lost with a blue line so battered by the war of attrition that it required nine defencemen that spring, including Brennan Evans, and Robyn Regehr playing on a broken foot.

We’ll never know. But the possibility lingers, only adding to the sting.

Phaneuf admits the silver lining was the development time that followed, as he got another year in Red Deer thanks to the 2005 lockout.

“I think the blessing that gets overlooked about that lockout year was I got to go back to junior and get a little bit stronger,” he said. “So, when I did come to the NHL, I was ready.”

Ready enough to score 20 goals as a rookie, collect all his rookie bonuses, and bulldoze his way into league stardom.

Now working with the Kings’ sales and partnerships group, Phaneuf’s recent return to Calgary came shortly after Matthew Schaefer blew past his iconic rookie mark of 20 goals.

“I was getting a lot of texts,” smiled Phaneuf, 41, who retired in 2019. “It reminded me of that 20th goal. Chris Simon passed me the puck, God rest his soul. What a great teammate he was.”

The reason for his return to Calgary was simple: he wanted one last walk through the building in which he grew up in. The Dome he called home.

“The memories kind of came flooding back when I was flying up here,” he said. “I played a lot of hockey here. That’s 20 years ago, so it’s been a long time since I started here.

“Hopefully, this is not my last time at the Dome, but I wanted the memory of being here.”

Phaneuf made no attempt to hide how emotional it felt walking back into the Saddledome, where everywhere he walked, he was greeted by familiar faces and warm embraces.

He took pictures, inside, outside, soaking it all in.

He saw Scotia Place on his way in. He’s thrilled for the city.

“The fans deserve it, the team deserves it — it’s going to be an amazing state‑of‑the‑art facility,” said Phaneuf. “But this building has got so much history. It’s an iconic building. If you look at the skyline of Calgary, you see the saddle. The newer buildings are not as steep (inside). This building, the fans are on top of you. You can feel them. You can hear it.”

He still remembers the chills of the C of Red.

“It was known around the league,” he said. “It was all red. The fans are so passionate here. The building was so electric and so loud. I don’t think there’s a better night than a Saturday-night Battle of Alberta.”

Phaneuf’s affection for Calgary is deep, genuine, and still raw.

“This is where I grew up,” he said. “I came into the league here as a rookie. I learned so much about the business, about being a professional.”

He rattled off names with reverence: Iginla, Roman Hamrlik, Bryan Marchment, Ken King and, of course, Sutter.

“Darryl was instrumental in my development as a player,” he said. “He taught me a ton. I have so much respect for Darryl and the whole Flames organization.”

For all the good memories, one still stings.

“When I got traded, I was in tears,” he said of the shocking swap to Toronto in 2009. “I loved Calgary. It’s an incredible place to play. I got to be a part of that for six-and-a-half years.”

Today, he’s settled in Los Angeles, raising his kids with wife, actress Elisha Cuthbert, and keeping the door open, someday, to NHL management.

But for one last night he was just a kid again, walking into the rink where it all began.

“I’ve got a smile on my face since I’ve been in the building,” he said. “And I’ll keep smiling the whole way through it.”

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