Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk could be out at least four weeks with a wrist injury suffer...

<p>Ottawa Senators captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/7845" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/7845">Brady Tkachuk</a> could be out at least four weeks with a wrist injury suffered in Monday's game against the Nashville Predators, head coach Travis Green told reporters Tuesday, including <a href="https://x.com/jkamckenzie/status/1978134340027506993">The Athletic's Julian McKenzie</a>.</p><p>Tkachuk crashed into the boards after being hit by <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1663" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1663">Roman Josi</a> in the first period. After initially leaving the game, Tkachuk returned to log 13:53 in the contest, though he didn't play the final nine minutes of the 4-1 loss. Green said Tkachuk didn't aggravate the injury after returning to play.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tkachuk was furious after this push from behind. Went off holding his hand but is back out. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoSensGo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoSensGo</a> <a href="https://t.co/nmD9cYwM7O">pic.twitter.com/nmD9cYwM7O</a></p>— Everyday Sens (@EverydaySens) <a href="https://twitter.com/EverydaySens/status/1977788262459805727?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Green added that the team will know more on Wednesday whether Tkachuk needs surgery.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Tkachuk has managed three assists in three appearances this season. He notched 29 goals and 55 points in 72 games last campaign, finishing 18th in Hart Trophy voting while captaining the Senators to their first playoff appearance since 2017. He also led the team in shots (296), hits (228), and penalty minutes (228).</p><p>The 26-year-old was one of six players named to the United States' Olympic team back in June, along with his brother, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5591" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5591">Matthew</a> (who's also injured), <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4558" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4558">Jack Eichel</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5586" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5586">Auston Matthews</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/7960" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/7960">Quinn Hughes</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5599" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5599">Charlie McAvoy</a>.</p><p>Team USA opens its tournament Feb. 12 against Latvia.</p>

OTTAWA, CANADA - OCTOBER 13: Juuse Saros #74 of the Nashville Predators tracks Brady Tkachuk #7 of the Ottawa Senators shot in the second period at Canadian Tire Centre on October 13, 2025 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

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Senators' Tkachuk could miss at least 4 weeks with wrist injury

The Montreal Canadiens have locked up their management team, signing president of hockey operatio...

<p>The Montreal Canadiens have locked up their management team, signing president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton and general manager Kent Hughes to five-year extensions, the club announced Tuesday.</p><p>Gorton held the title of executive vice president of hockey operations before Tuesday's announcement. Both his and Hughes' contracts were set to expire at the end of the season.</p><p>"I am very pleased that Jeff and Kent have committed to the Montreal Canadiens for an additional five years. Their commitment to building a world-class organization has been unrelenting and will only get better as we progress in the years to come," Canadiens owner, president, and CEO Geoff Molson said.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"I would like to thank Jeff and Kent for taking this team and organization to where it is today, full of talent, size, and speed with a support structure that is second to none, an objective from Day 1. I look forward to many more years working with them."</p><p>Gorton joined the Canadiens in November 2021. Montreal hired Hughes in January 2022. Together, they've undergone a successful rebuild that culminated with Montreal making a surprising playoff appearance in 2024-25.</p><p>The list of players drafted by Gorton and Hughes includes <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/12706" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/12706">Juraj Slafkovsky</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/12709" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/12709">Lane Hutson</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/14986" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/14986">Ivan Demidov</a>. Players they've acquired via trade include <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5587" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5587">Patrik Laine</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/8598" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/8598">Kirby Dach</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/10516" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/10516">Alex Newhook</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/10684" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/10684">Zack Bolduc</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/7911" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/7911">Noah Dobson</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4569" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4569">Alexandre Carrier</a>. They also hired Martin St. Louis as the team's head coach in February 2022.</p>

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 29: (L-R) Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes of the Montreal Canadiens works the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena on June 29, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Canadiens sign Gorton, Hughes to 5-year extensions

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube is looking for star forward William Nylander to turn ...

<p>Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube is looking for star forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4180" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4180">William Nylander</a> to turn things around following a slow start to the season.</p><p>"Willy needs more shots. He doesn't have enough shots. I think in Detroit, didn't have any. Had one or two tonight," Berube told reporters after Monday's 3-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. "He needs to attack more, he needs to shoot more, he's got to get on the inside more. ... So yes, we do need more out of him."</p><p>Nylander has three shots - only two at five-on-five - in three games this season. While he does have four points, his lone goal and one of his assists came versus an empty net in Wednesday's season-opening win over the Montreal Canadiens.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"There is shifts and times where he is skating, but ... it's not enough," Berube added. "We need more out of him."</p><p>When asked what might be the reason for Nylander's slow start, Berube noted that cycling through linemates could be a factor. The Maple Leafs have yet to find a consistent left winger alongside Nylander and center <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/794" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/794">John Tavares</a> on the second line, with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/13037" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/13037">Bobby McMann</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/10885" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/10885">Matias Maccelli</a>, and others making appearances.</p><p>"I think it's a little bit new linemates, too, but I don't know exactly what it is, to be honest with you," Berube said. "But I'll have a conversation with him and see where he's at and what's going on."</p><p>Nylander led the Maple Leafs with 45 goals last season - his third straight campaign of at least 40 goals. He's also racked up at least 250 shots in each of the last four seasons, good for second on the team each of those years.</p>

TORONTO, CANADA - OCTOBER 08: William Nylander #88 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena on October 08, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

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Berube: Maple Leafs 'need more' from Nylander

The Buffalo Sabres are looking for answers despite having 79 games left in their season.  The Sab...

<p>The Buffalo Sabres are looking for answers despite having 79 games left in their season.</p><p>The Sabres fell to 0-3-0 with Monday's 3-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. They were booed off the ice when they were shut out in Thursday's home opener, and fans' frustration only grew Monday. "Fire Adams" chants echoed throughout KeyBank Center toward the end of the game in support of removing general manager Kevyn Adams. One fan also threw a jersey on the ice.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">We have a jersey on the ice<br><br>Fans have had enough <a href="https://t.co/zzWfl8M1xw">pic.twitter.com/zzWfl8M1xw</a></p>— Crossing Swords ⚔️ (@CrossSwordsPod) <a href="https://twitter.com/CrossSwordsPod/status/1977814272316215504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/7216" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/7216">Rasmus Dahlin</a> is frustrated too.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"It's not good enough," Dahlin told reporters postgame. "A lot of the areas. Better start today, worse ending. Not good power play, good PK, good goaltending - we just can't catch a break. We got to get out of this bullshit."</p><p>Sabres have scored two goals on the season and have never held a lead. It's the second consecutive campaign in which they haven't won through their first three contests.</p><p>"We have to step up. This is not acceptable," Dahlin added.</p><p>While <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5611" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5611">Tage Thompson</a> acknowledged there's plenty of room for improvement, he thinks it's much too soon to wave the white flag.</p><p>"We're three games into the season," he told reporters. "It's not over by any means. ...</p><p>"You guys are acting like the world's ending right now. We just gotta find a way to claw ourselves out of this. We're obviously in a hole that we don't want to be in."</p><p>The Sabres have missed the playoffs in 14 consecutive seasons, the longest drought in the league.</p>

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 13: Rasmus Dahlin #26 of the Buffalo Sabres warms up prior to an NHL game against the Colorado Avalanche at KeyBank Center on October 13, 2025 in Buffalo, New York.

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Dahlin laments Sabres' 0-3 start: 'We got to get out of this bullshit'

San Jose Sharks owner Hasso Plattner took a jab at Erik Karlsson during a rare media availability...

<p>San Jose Sharks owner Hasso Plattner took a jab at <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/864" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/864">Erik Karlsson</a> during a rare media availability Thursday.</p><p>Plattner made the remarks while discussing the organization's decision to rebuild in 2022, which ultimately included shipping Karlsson to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2023.</p><p>"(Rebuilding) was actually my wish five years ago," Plattner said, per <a href="https://sanjosehockeynow.com/san-jose-sharks-hasso-plattner-interview/">San Jose Hockey Now's Sheng Peng</a>. "And quote, unquote, the previous (regime) said that's not there. EK65 was probably the last real try to keep the level of the Thorntons and Pavelskis.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"First, one (star) is not enough. Second, you know his qualities and you know his deficiencies; he was not the most, how do I say it, team-friendly player. He was good, but he was probably very good in a very good team."</p><p>The Sharks acquired Karlsson in a 2018 blockbuster trade with the Ottawa Senators to push for the Stanley Cup. They went to the Western Conference Final in Karlsson's first year with the club but never made the playoffs in his four other seasons in teal.</p><p>Injuries derailed much of Karlsson's tenure in San Jose. His only fully healthy campaign with the team was in 2022-23, when he racked up 101 points and won the Norris Trophy. However, San Jose finished 29th in the league that year.</p><p>Plattner blamed poor drafting as part of the reason San Jose needed to rebuild. He also spoke about Doug Wilson's health struggles when asked about their relationship at the time of the former general manager's resignation after 19 seasons with the club.</p><p>"You know that he was not well? OK, that says it all. He was a good guy, very good hockey sense, but when you have a sickness, like he had, permanent headaches. He was living in Phoenix, and the team was here," Plattner said.</p><p>"Much more, I'm negative about his son. He was not drafting well. He was totally over his pay grade, and that was another mistake I probably made. I didn't see that. We were always relatively good at drafting. All of a sudden, we lost it."</p><p>Doug Wilson Jr. was the team's director of scouting for four seasons from 2018-19 to 2021-22. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/10729" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/10729">William Eklund</a>, the No. 7 pick in 2021, is the only player drafted by Wilson Jr. who's currently an NHL regular. Wilson Jr. now works for the Seattle Kraken as an amateur scout.</p>

SAN JOSE, CA - DECEMBER 20: Erik Karlsson #65 of the San Jose Sharks takes a shot on goal against the Calgary Flames at SAP Center on December 20, 2022 in San Jose, California.

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Sharks owner: Karlsson was not a 'team-friendly player'

To say it was night to forget for Alex Nedeljkovic would be a massive understatement.   The San J...

<p>To say it was night to forget for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4130" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4130">Alex Nedeljkovic</a> would be a massive understatement. </p><p>The San Jose Sharks netminder allowed two horrendous goals to gift the Vegas Golden Knights an improbable comeback victory Thursday.</p><p>In the waning minutes of the third period with the Sharks leading 3-2, Nedeljkovic misplayed <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4558" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4558">Jack Eichel</a>'s dump-in attempt from center ice to allow the Golden Knights to tie the game - just moments after <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/10729" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/10729">William Eklund</a> failed to convert on the empty net.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">WHAT IN THE WORLD JUST HAPPENED IN SAN JOSE?!?!? <a href="https://t.co/GlX97Fcaxl">pic.twitter.com/GlX97Fcaxl</a></p>— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1976509524237238603?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>But it somehow got worse from there.</p><p>Just over two minutes into overtime, Nedeljkovic came out to play the puck near the blue line, but he turned it over, allowing <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2504" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2504">Reilly Smith</a> to score the easiest OT winner imaginable. </p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Golden Knights fans will watch this and say "heck yeah" <a href="https://t.co/14qHrSfVa4">pic.twitter.com/14qHrSfVa4</a></p>— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoldenKnights/status/1976512368638337199?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Nedeljkovic got the nod for San Jose's season opener after the Sharks acquired him from the Pittsburgh Penguins for a third-round pick in the offseason.</p>

SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 9: Alex Nedeljkovic #33 of San Jose Sharks makes a save in the third period against the Vegas Golden Knights at SAP Center on October 9, 2025 in San Jose, California.

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Sharks' Nedeljkovic allows 2 all-time ugly goals to gift Golden Knights OT win

The Edmonton Oilers agreed to terms with free-agent forward Jack Roslovic on a one-year, $1.5-mil...

<p>The Edmonton Oilers agreed to terms with free-agent forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5780" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5780">Jack Roslovic</a> on a one-year, $1.5-million contract, the team announced Wednesday.</p><p>Roslovic tied a career-high 22 goals last season as a member of the Carolina Hurricanes but went unsigned through the offseason. He reportedly had multiple offers on July 1 before firing his agent.</p><p>While talented offensively, inconsistent defensive play may have contributed to why Roslovic didn't secure a contract to his liking out of the gate.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jack Roslovic, signed by EDM, is an offensive winger with great wheels and nifty hands. Was kind of a weird fit in Carolina where he scored at a really efficient rate in a bottom six role but didn't otherwise do that much with (or without) the puck. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetsGoOilers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetsGoOilers</a> <a href="https://t.co/rHxzJROzXX">pic.twitter.com/rHxzJROzXX</a></p>— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) <a href="https://twitter.com/JFreshHockey/status/1976126071612297665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Despite finishing third on the Hurricanes in goals last season, Roslovic was a healthy scratch on multiple occasions during the playoffs. He managed a goal and three assists in nine postseason appearances during Carolina's run to the Eastern Conference Final.</p><p>The 28-year-old has also played for the Winnipeg Jets, Columbus Blue Jackets, and New York Rangers. He's averaged 16 goals and 41 points per 82 games throughout his nine-year NHL career. Roslovic has played center at times but projects to line up on the wing in Edmonton.</p><p>The Oilers have $325,000 in cap space after adding Roslovic. Winger <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1723" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1723">Zach Hyman</a> ($5.5-million cap hit) is notably on long-term injured reserve to begin the season, though he's targeting a return in early November.</p>

RALEIGH, NC - MAY 12: Carolina Hurricanes center Jack Roslovic (96) reacts to the goal during game four of the Eastern Conference Second Round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Washington Capitals and the Carolina Hurricanes on May 12, 2025 at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, NC.

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Oilers add Roslovic on 1-year, $1.5M contract

The Winnipeg Jets and winger Kyle Connor have made progress on a long-term extension, reports Spo...

<p>The Winnipeg Jets and winger <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5545" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5545">Kyle Connor</a> have made progress on a long-term extension, reports <a href="https://x.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1975728689037123662">Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman</a>.</p><p>While the exact terms are still unknown, it's expected to be an eight-year deal with an average annual value of at least $12 million, per Friedman and <a href="https://x.com/PierreVLeBrun/status/1975730539593408943">TSN's Pierre LeBrun</a>.</p><p>Both sides are reportedly hoping to finalize a deal before the Jets open their season Thursday against the Dallas Stars.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Connor is in the final season of a seven-year contract with a $7.14-million average annual value signed in 2019. The extension would begin in 2026-27.</p><p>The 28-year-old racked up a career-best and team-high 97 points in 82 games last campaign. He added five goals and 12 assists in 13 playoff appearances.</p><p>Connor has averaged 38 goals and 40 assists per 82 contests over his nine-year career - all with the Jets. Winnipeg drafted him 17th overall in 2015.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2150" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2150">Mark Scheifele</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3997" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3997">Connor Hellebuyck</a> are the Jets' highest-paid players for the 2025-26 season with matching $8.5-million AAVs.</p>

WINNIPEG, CANADA - MAY 4: Kyle Connor #81 of the Winnipeg Jets keeps an eye on the play during third period action against the St. Louis Blues in Game Seven of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Canada Life Centre on May 4, 2025 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Jets eliminated the Blues 4-3 in double overtime and advance to the Second Round.

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Report: Jets, Connor progressing on long-term extension

The Vegas Golden Knights are having ongoing extension talks with franchise center Jack Eichel, an...

<p>The Vegas Golden Knights are having ongoing extension talks with franchise center <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4558" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4558">Jack Eichel</a>, and the two sides are focused on an eight-year pact, reports <a href="https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/video/2025/10/07/insider-trading-where-things-stand-on-hutson-extension-talks/">TSN's Pierre LeBrun</a>.</p><p>Eichel reportedly has no intention of leaving Vegas.</p><p>The NHL record eight-year, $136-million contract signed by <a href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/7294">Kirill Kaprizov</a> and the two-year, $25-million extension recently signed by <a href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4560">Connor McDavid</a> aren't affecting negotiations between Eichel and the Golden Knights, LeBrun added.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Eichel is in the final season of an eight-year, $80-million contract he signed with the Buffalo Sabres in 2017. Vegas acquired him in a 2021 trade with Buffalo.</p><p>The 28-year-old recorded a career-high 94 points last season, finishing fifth in both Hart Trophy and Selke Trophy voting. He helped the Golden Knights capture the 2023 Stanley Cup with a league-best 26 points in 22 games that postseason.</p><p>Offseason acquisition <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4718" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4718">Mitch Marner</a> is Vegas' highest-paid player with a $12-million average annual value.</p>

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 25: Jack Eichel #9 of the Vegas Golden Knights reacts after scoring a goal against the Utah Mammoth in the third period during a preseason game at T-Mobile Arena on September 25, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Report: Golden Knights, Eichel discussing 8-year extension

Utah Mammoth center Logan Cooley rejected an eight-year extension offer worth an average annual v...

<p>Utah Mammoth center <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/12746" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/12746">Logan Cooley</a> rejected an eight-year extension offer worth an average annual value of $9.6 million, reports NHL insider <a href="https://x.com/frank_seravalli/status/1975201035405894136">Frank Seravalli</a>.</p><p>The deal would've made Cooley the Mammoth's highest-paid player for next season and the 19th highest-paid player in the league. Defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5594" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5594">Mikhail Sergachev</a> carries the highest AAV on Utah at $8.5 million.</p><p>Cooley is coming off a stellar sophomore campaign in which he tallied 65 points in 75 games. He finished fifth in Calder Trophy voting with 44 points in 82 contests during his rookie season in 2023-24.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 21-year-old is entering the final year of his entry-level contract. He projects to begin the season centering Utah's top line between <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/10721" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/10721">Dylan Guenther</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9219" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9219">JJ Peterka</a>.</p><p>The Arizona Coyotes selected Cooley with the No. 3 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.</p>

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - APRIL 03: Logan Cooley #92 of the Utah Hockey Club skates against the Los Angeles Kings on April 03, 2025 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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Report: Cooley turned down $76.8M offer from Mammoth

The NHL handed a pair of suspensions to the Tampa Bay Lightning for actions in Saturday's preseas...

<p>The NHL handed a pair of suspensions to the Tampa Bay Lightning for actions in Saturday's preseason game against the Florida Panthers.</p><p>Defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/10720" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/10720">J.J. Moser</a> was suspended for two games for boarding <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9848" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9848">Jesper Boqvist</a>, while forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3131" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3131">Scott Sabourin</a> received a two-game ban for roughing <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3946" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3946">Aaron Ekblad</a>.</p><p>Moser drilled Boqvist from behind.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">THE PANTHERS AND LIGHTNING ARE AT WAR 😱🥊 <a href="https://t.co/EQlFAnivXZ">pic.twitter.com/EQlFAnivXZ</a></p>— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) <a href="https://twitter.com/GinoHard_/status/1974622042575007892?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Sabourin laid out Ekblad before throwing punches.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Scott Sabourin RAN OVER Aaron Ekblad and then started throwing punches 😳 <a href="https://t.co/TAMXJnozXM">pic.twitter.com/TAMXJnozXM</a></p>— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) <a href="https://twitter.com/GinoHard_/status/1974615184271372762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The game featured a combined 16 ejections and 322 penalty minutes.</p><p>Additionally, the Lightning organization was fined $100,000, head coach Jon Cooper $25,000, forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9254" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9254">Gage Goncalves</a> $3,215, and defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/10948" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/10948">Roman Schmidt</a> $2,098. The Panthers didn't receive any supplemental discipline.</p><p>Moser is a key piece of Tampa Bay's blue line. He tallied 14 points in 52 games last season while averaging 18:51 per contest - third-most among the Lightning's defense. He'll miss outings against the Ottawa Senators and New Jersey Devils.</p><p>Sabourin didn't make the Lightning's opening-night roster.</p>

SUNRISE, FLORIDA -APRIL 28: J.J. Moser #90 of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates with the puck during first period action against the Florida Panthers in Game Four of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Amerant Bank Arena on April 28, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/32712874/related

Moser suspended 2 games for boarding Boqvist

The 2025-26 NHL season is just around the corner, but before we get to the real thing, we thought...

<p>The 2025-26 NHL season is just around the corner, but before we get to the real thing, we thought it would be fun to simulate the campaign in NHL 26 and share the results. Remember, this is just a video game. Some of the outcomes were <em>incredibly</em> wacky.</p><h3>Atlantic Division</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-jQyvm" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/jQyvm/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="294" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}})}();
</script></figure><p><strong>Panthers: </strong>The two-time reigning Cup champions win the Atlantic Division for the third time in five years, allowing a league-low 222 goals.</p><p><strong>Senators: </strong>Ottawa loses out on a division title courtesy of a tiebreaker, but it gets better in the playoffs.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><strong>Red Wings:</strong> Detroit scores a conference-high 282 goals to snap its nine-year playoff drought. Lucas Raymond, Alex DeBrincat, Patrick Kane, Dylan Larkin, and Marco Kasper all score at least 25 goals.</p><p><strong>Lightning: </strong>Nikita Kucherov leads the way offensively for the Bolts with 50 goals and 98 points.</p><p><strong>Canadiens: </strong>Montreal takes a step back, but Cole Caufield breaks out with 97 points and Ivan Demidov makes it back-to-back Calder Trophy winners for the Habs.</p><p><strong>Maple Leafs: </strong>Turmoil in Toronto? The Leafs miss the playoffs for the first time with Auston Matthews, despite a 58-goal season from the captain. Matthew Knies suffers through an injury-plagued 38-point campaign.</p><p><strong>Sabres: </strong>Tage Thompson (80 points) and Rasmus Dahlin (65 points) enjoy strong years, but Buffalo extends its playoff drought to 15 seasons.</p><p><strong>Bruins: </strong>Things go from bad to worse in Boston. Although David Pastrnak's 57 goals are a bright spot, Jeremy Swayman struggles again with an .895 save percentage.</p><h3>Metropolitan Division</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-64Dvw" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/64Dvw/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="294" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}})}();
</script></figure><p><strong>Islanders: </strong>Perhaps the best story in the league, New York finishes atop the Eastern Conference. Ilya Sorokin shines with 35 wins and a .918 save percentage.</p><p><strong>Penguins: </strong>Put the Sidney Crosby trade talk on hold, folks. Evgeni Malkin (73 points) and Erik Karlsson (69 points) turn back the clock to help the Penguins return to the postseason after a three-year hiatus.</p><p><strong>Capitals: </strong>Alex Ovechkin defies Father Time with a career-high 66 goals at age 40, putting him just 37 away from 1,000 for his career.</p><p><strong>Devils: </strong>Healthy seasons from Jack Hughes (80 points in 80 games) and Dougie Hamilton (64 points in 80 games) lead to a strong year for the Devils.</p><p><strong>Flyers: </strong>Philadelphia takes a step in the right direction on the back of Matvei Michkov's 78-point campaign.</p><p><strong>Rangers: </strong>J.T. Miller leads by example with a team-high 70 points as New York's captain, but it's not enough to overcome the club's lack of depth.</p><p><strong>Blue Jackets: </strong>Another strong season from Zach Werenski (team-high 77 points) isn't enough to will Columbus to the playoffs.</p><p><strong>Hurricanes:</strong> Arguably the biggest shock of the entire sim, Carolina finishes last in the East with the league's 26th-ranked offense.</p><h3>Central Division</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-eQNVK" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/eQNVK/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="294" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}})}();
</script></figure><p><strong>Jets: </strong>Winnipeg soars to its second straight Presidents' Trophy by virtue of a tiebreaker over the Islanders. Kyle Connor leads the way with 53 goals and 99 points.</p><p><strong>Avalanche: </strong>Martin Necas racks up 70 assists (second in NHL) and 92 points to help Colorado forget about Mikko Rantanen.</p><p><strong>Mammoth: </strong>Eight players notch at least 50 points as Utah gets a taste of playoff hockey in an extremely tight division.</p><p><strong>Stars: </strong>Dallas misses the playoffs by a point, surely ending Jim Nill's three-year reign as General Manager of the Year.</p><p><strong>Blues: </strong>A disappointing 63-point season from Robert Thomas keeps the Blues out of the playoffs.</p><p><strong>Wild: </strong>Mats Zuccarello's career-high 79 points at age 38 aren't enough to help Minnesota overcome its 30th-ranked defense.</p><p><strong>Predators: </strong>Steven Stamkos (74 points) and defenseman Nick Perbix (41 points) serve as bright spots on a middling Preds squad.</p><p><strong>Blackhawks: </strong>Chicago finishes as the NHL's worst team despite a 36-goal campaign from Connor Bedard.</p><h3>Pacific Division</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-tjNYd" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/tjNYd/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="294" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}})}();
</script></figure><p><strong>Kings: </strong>Anze Kopitar paces L.A. with 73 points en route to a division title in his final NHL season. Darcy Kuemper leads all goalies with 39 wins.</p><p><strong>Golden Knights: </strong>Jack Eichel scores a career-high 43 goals playing alongside Mitch Marner (61 assists), forming a new dynamic duo in Vegas.</p><p><strong>Ducks: </strong>Mason McTavish ends his contract stalemate and tallies 69 points to lead Anaheim to its first postseason appearance since 2018.</p><p><strong>Canucks: </strong>Filip Chytil solves Vancouver's second-line center woes with a 69-point season to bring the Canucks back to the playoffs.</p><p><strong>Oilers: </strong>Edmonton allows a league-worst 286 goals but squeaks into the postseason with solid yet unspectacular campaigns from Connor McDavid (95 points) and Leon Draisaitl (93 points).</p><p><strong>Flames: </strong>Calgary stays in the playoff hunt most of the season thanks to Nazem Kadri's career-high 47 goals.</p><p><strong>Kraken: </strong>New coach, new GM, similar result in Seattle. A team-high 63 points from Shane Wright is promising, though.</p><p><strong>Sharks: </strong>A breakout 81-point campaign from William Eklund is a bright spot from another long year in San Jose.</p><h3>Playoffs</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802428/cropped_IMG_4588.jpg?ts=1758570923" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802428/w220xh124_IMG_4588.jpg?ts=1758570923 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802428/w320xh180_IMG_4588.jpg?ts=1758570923 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802428/w640xh360_IMG_4588.jpg?ts=1758570923 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802428/w768xh432_IMG_4588.jpg?ts=1758570923 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802428/w1080xh607_IMG_4588.jpg?ts=1758570923 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">EA Sports NHL 26</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Round 1</strong></p><ul>
<li>Oilers, Mammoth, and Lightning all pull off major upsets.</li>
<li>Golden Knights, Kings, and Senators win their series handily in five games.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Round 2</strong></p><ul>
<li>Oilers roll through Mammoth in five games.</li>
<li>Kings, Penguins, Senators win in seven.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Conference finals</strong></p><ul>
<li>Crosby and the Penguins run out of gas against a much younger Senators team, losing in five games.</li>
<li>Oilers beat the Kings in the playoffs for the fifth year in a row.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Stanley Cup Final 🏆</strong></p><p>An Ottawa-Edmonton final guarantees a Canadian team wins the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1993. The Oilers erase a 3-1 series deficit to force Game 7, but they have their hearts broken in the Cup Final for the third straight year after David Perron scores the double-overtime winner to give the Senators their first Stanley Cup.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802437/cropped_IMG_4598.jpg?ts=1758570990" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802437/w220xh124_IMG_4598.jpg?ts=1758570990 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802437/w320xh180_IMG_4598.jpg?ts=1758570990 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802437/w640xh360_IMG_4598.jpg?ts=1758570990 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802437/w768xh432_IMG_4598.jpg?ts=1758570990 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802437/w1080xh607_IMG_4598.jpg?ts=1758570990 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">EA Sports NHL 26</span></figcaption></figure><p>Dylan Cozens is awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy with a team-high 18 points in 24 postseason games. However, Linus Ullmark was snubbed after stopping 48 of 51 shots in Game 7 and posting a .931 save percentage in the playoffs.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802438/cropped_IMG_4599.jpg?ts=1758570994" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802438/w220xh124_IMG_4599.jpg?ts=1758570994 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802438/w320xh180_IMG_4599.jpg?ts=1758570994 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802438/w640xh360_IMG_4599.jpg?ts=1758570994 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802438/w768xh432_IMG_4599.jpg?ts=1758570994 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802438/w1080xh607_IMG_4599.jpg?ts=1758570994 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">EA Sports NHL 26</span></figcaption></figure><h3>Major Awards</h3><p><strong>Hart Trophy - Aleksander Barkov</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802433/cropped_IMG_4594.jpg?ts=1758570959" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802433/w220xh124_IMG_4594.jpg?ts=1758570959 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802433/w320xh180_IMG_4594.jpg?ts=1758570959 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802433/w640xh360_IMG_4594.jpg?ts=1758570959 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802433/w768xh432_IMG_4594.jpg?ts=1758570959 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802433/w1080xh607_IMG_4594.jpg?ts=1758570959 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">EA Sports NHL 26</span></figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>GP</th>
<th>G</th>
<th>A</th>
<th>P</th>
<th>ATOI</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>82</td>
<td>28</td>
<td>75</td>
<td>103</td>
<td>19:48</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><strong>Norris Trophy - Evan Bouchard</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802432/cropped_IMG_4593.jpg?ts=1758570952" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802432/w220xh124_IMG_4593.jpg?ts=1758570952 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802432/w320xh180_IMG_4593.jpg?ts=1758570952 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802432/w640xh360_IMG_4593.jpg?ts=1758570952 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802432/w768xh432_IMG_4593.jpg?ts=1758570952 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802432/w1080xh607_IMG_4593.jpg?ts=1758570952 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">EA Sports NHL 26</span></figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>GP</th>
<th>G</th>
<th>A</th>
<th>P</th>
<th>ATOI</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>77</td>
<td>18</td>
<td>58</td>
<td>76</td>
<td>25:07</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><strong>Art Ross Trophy - Nathan MacKinnon</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802434/cropped_IMG_4595.jpg?ts=1758570965" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802434/w220xh124_IMG_4595.jpg?ts=1758570965 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802434/w320xh180_IMG_4595.jpg?ts=1758570965 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802434/w640xh360_IMG_4595.jpg?ts=1758570965 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802434/w768xh432_IMG_4595.jpg?ts=1758570965 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802434/w1080xh607_IMG_4595.jpg?ts=1758570965 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">EA Sports NHL 26</span></figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>GP</th>
<th>G</th>
<th>A</th>
<th>P</th>
<th>ATOI</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>82</td>
<td>54</td>
<td>57</td>
<td>111</td>
<td>19:55</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><strong>Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy - Alex Ovechkin</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802429/cropped_IMG_4589.jpg?ts=1758570930" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802429/w220xh124_IMG_4589.jpg?ts=1758570930 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802429/w320xh180_IMG_4589.jpg?ts=1758570930 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802429/w640xh360_IMG_4589.jpg?ts=1758570930 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802429/w768xh432_IMG_4589.jpg?ts=1758570930 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802429/w1080xh607_IMG_4589.jpg?ts=1758570930 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">EA Sports NHL 26</span></figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>GP</th>
<th>G</th>
<th>A</th>
<th>P</th>
<th>ATOI</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>82</td>
<td>66</td>
<td>32</td>
<td>98</td>
<td>18:32</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><strong>Calder Trophy - Ivan Demidov</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802441/cropped_IMG_4592.jpg?ts=1758571406" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802441/w220xh124_IMG_4592.jpg?ts=1758571406 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802441/w320xh180_IMG_4592.jpg?ts=1758571406 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802441/w640xh360_IMG_4592.jpg?ts=1758571406 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802441/w768xh432_IMG_4592.jpg?ts=1758571406 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802441/w1080xh607_IMG_4592.jpg?ts=1758571406 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">EA Sports NHL 26</span></figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>GP</th>
<th>G</th>
<th>A</th>
<th>P</th>
<th>ATOI</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>82</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>41</td>
<td>52</td>
<td>15:29</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><strong>Vezina Trophy - Jake Oettinger</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802431/cropped_IMG_4591.jpg?ts=1758570947" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802431/w220xh124_IMG_4591.jpg?ts=1758570947 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802431/w320xh180_IMG_4591.jpg?ts=1758570947 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802431/w640xh360_IMG_4591.jpg?ts=1758570947 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802431/w768xh432_IMG_4591.jpg?ts=1758570947 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802431/w1080xh607_IMG_4591.jpg?ts=1758570947 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">EA Sports NHL 26</span></figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>GP</th>
<th>W</th>
<th>GAA</th>
<th>SV%</th>
<th>SO</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>66</td>
<td>33</td>
<td>2.74</td>
<td>.917</td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><strong>Selke Trophy - Aleksander Barkov</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802430/cropped_IMG_4590.jpg?ts=1758570938" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802430/w220xh124_IMG_4590.jpg?ts=1758570938 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802430/w320xh180_IMG_4590.jpg?ts=1758570938 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802430/w640xh360_IMG_4590.jpg?ts=1758570938 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802430/w768xh432_IMG_4590.jpg?ts=1758570938 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802430/w1080xh607_IMG_4590.jpg?ts=1758570938 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">EA Sports NHL 26</span></figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>FO%</th>
<th>+/-</th>
<th>Takeaways</th>
<th>Giveaways</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>53.8</td>
<td>40</td>
<td>159</td>
<td>43</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/32668596/related

NHL 26 season sim: Senators win Cup, Oilers lose 3rd straight final

The Florida Panthers locked up a key part of their blue line Thursday, signing Niko Mikkola to an...

<p>The Florida Panthers locked up a key part of their blue line Thursday, signing <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4582" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4582">Niko Mikkola</a> to an eight-year extension, the team announced.</p><p>The contract contains an average annual value of $5 million, reports <a href="https://x.com/PierreVLeBrun/status/1973751411856028118">TSN's Pierre LeBrun</a>.</p><p>Mikkola, 29, has been a rock on the back end for the Panthers since joining the club on a three-year, $7.5-million contract in 2023.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 6-foot-6 blue-liner isn't known for his offense, setting a career high with 22 points in 2024-25. But he's averaged at least 20 minutes per game over the last two seasons while playing an effective shutdown role for the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Niko Mikkola, signed to an 8x$5M extension by FLA, is a second pair defensive defenceman. Brings some aggressiveness and physicality in the defensive zone and jumps up in the offensive zone a bit as well. <a href="https://t.co/NavlpokIb2">pic.twitter.com/NavlpokIb2</a></p>— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) <a href="https://twitter.com/JFreshHockey/status/1973756199498821912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The Panthers have placed a clear emphasis on keeping their team together. After re-signing <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/100" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/100">Brad Marchand</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3949" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3949">Sam Bennett</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3946" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3946">Aaron Ekblad</a> in the summer and now extending Mikkola, Florida has 11 players signed through at least 2030. That includes the club's sterling top-four defense core in Mikkola, Ekblad, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3005" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3005">Seth Jones</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9416" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9416">Gustav Forsling</a>.</p><p>Goaltender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1631" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1631">Sergei Bobrovsky</a> is the team's last prominent 2026 unrestricted free agent. The Panthers project to have $18 million in cap space for next season following Mikkola's extension.</p>

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - JUNE 17: Niko Mikkola #77 of the Florida Panthers celebrates with the Stanley Cup after Game Six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena on June 17, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida. The Panthers won the Stanley Cup Final series 4-2.

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Panthers sign Mikkola to 8-year extension worth reported $40M

Erik Johnson announced his retirement from the NHL on Wednesday after a 17-year career.  Johnson ...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1083" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1083">Erik Johnson</a> announced his retirement from the NHL on Wednesday after a 17-year career.</p><p>Johnson spent parts of 14 seasons with the Colorado Avalanche, winning the Stanley Cup in 2022.</p><p>The 37-year-old also played for the St. Louis Blues, Buffalo Sabres, and Philadelphia Flyers. He finishes his career with 348 points in 1,023 games. He added another 13 points in 57 career playoff appearances. </p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Blues selected the 6-foot-4, right-handed defenseman with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 NHL Draft. They traded him to the Avalanche in 2011 as part of a blockbuster deal involving Kevin Shattenkirk.</p><p>Johnson was better known for his defensive abilities, as he never reached the 40-point mark in a season. He did tally 39 points on two occasions - in 2009-10 with the Blues and in 2013-14 with the Avalanche.</p><p>He led Avalanche defensemen in average time on ice five times before <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/8539" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/8539">Cale Makar</a> eventually took over as the team's top blue-liner. Johnson averaged 17:01 per game and chipped in five points in 20 games during Colorado's 2022 Stanley Cup run.</p><p>Johnson, a native of Minnesota, also represented the United States on the international stage on multiple occasions, most notably winning a silver medal at the 2010 Olympics.</p>

TAMPA, FL - JUNE 26: Erik Johnson #6 and the Colorado Avalanche celebrate winning the Stanley Cup after Game Six of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena on June 26, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. The Avalanche defeated the Lightning four games to two.

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Erik Johnson retires after 17 NHL seasons

The 2025-26 NHL season begins Tuesday when the Florida Panthers start their title defense at home...

<p>The 2025-26 NHL season begins Tuesday when the Florida Panthers start their title defense at home against the Chicago Blackhawks. But who poses the biggest threat to the Panthers' quest for a third straight Stanley Cup?</p><p>Below, we dive into each team's Stanley Cup odds and share some of our favorite season-long prop bets to make. </p><h3><a target="_blank" href="https://about.espnbet.com/sportsbook-redirect/?v%24canonical_url=%2Fsport%2Fhockey%2Forganization%2Funited-states%2Fcompetition%2Fnhl%2Fsection%2Ffutures&amp;campaign=thescore_content&amp;customer_campaign=article&amp;%7Echannel=thescore-content&amp;tags=3357115">Stanley Cup odds</a></h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-AF5E2" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/AF5E2/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="1029" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}})}();
</script></figure><blockquote><p>👉 <a target="_blank" href="https://about.espnbet.com/sportsbook-redirect/?v%24canonical_url=%2Fsport%2Fhockey%2Forganization%2Funited-states%2Fcompetition%2Fnhl%2Fsection%2Ffutures&amp;campaign=thescore_content&amp;customer_campaign=article&amp;%7Echannel=thescore-content&amp;tags=3357115"><strong>Check out all of the NHL futures markets available at ESPN BET and theScore Bet here</strong></a></p></blockquote><p>Aleksander Barkov's injury shook up the oddsboard. The Panthers were previously standalone Cup favorites, but that changed when their captain suffered a knee injury in practice last week that will force him to miss seven-to-nine months. That means Barkov would only be able to return in time for Round 2 of the playoffs, at the very earliest, should Florida make it that far.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>That's created three new co-favorites in Carolina, Colorado, and Edmonton.</p><p>The Hurricanes are coming off their third Eastern Conference Final appearance in seven years under head coach Rod Brind'Amour. This could be the best team on paper they've had during that time after signing free-agent winger Nikolaj Ehlers and trading for defenseman K'Andre Miller. The Canes are still flush with cap space and trade assets for a potential deadline splash too.</p><p>The Avalanche may have their most complete roster since winning the 2022 Stanley Cup. They re-signed marquee trade deadline pickup Brock Nelson and made a couple of savvy, low-cost free-agent additions in Victor Olofsson and 40-year-old veteran Brent Burns, who could excel in a third-pairing role on a deep Colorado blue line.</p><p>The Oilers will aim to get back to a third straight Stanley Cup Final in what could be Connor McDavid's final year in Edmonton. The Oilers will be younger in 2025-26, with reigning Hobey Baker winner Isaac Howard and 2022 No. 9 pick Matt Savoie projected to make the team. Edmonton offers Canada's best hope of winning the country's first Stanley Cup since 1993, followed by Toronto (ninth-shortest odds) and Winnipeg (11th-shortest odds). Canada is +275 to have the Stanley Cup-winning team, while the U.S. is at -400.</p><h3>Best season-long prop bets</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/788858/cropped_GettyImages-2217040501.jpg?ts=1749054760" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/788858/w220xh124_GettyImages-2217040501.jpg?ts=1749054760 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/788858/w320xh180_GettyImages-2217040501.jpg?ts=1749054760 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/788858/w640xh360_GettyImages-2217040501.jpg?ts=1749054760 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/788858/w768xh432_GettyImages-2217040501.jpg?ts=1749054760 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/788858/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2217040501.jpg?ts=1749054760 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Steph Chambers / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Los Angeles Chargers (Copy) (Copy)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-NeX0x" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/NeX0x/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="99" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}})}();
</script></figure><h3>🏒 <a target="_blank" href="https://about.espnbet.com/sportsbook-redirect/?market_selection_id%5B0%5D=e0ee7997-1efe-4b95-b225-2c95cfe8354b&amp;odds_numerator%5B0%5D=9&amp;odds_denominator%5B0%5D=5&amp;%24canonical_url=%2Fsport%2Fhockey%2Forganization%2Funited-states%2Fcompetition%2Fnhl%2Fsection%2Fplayer_specials&amp;campaign=thescore_content&amp;customer_campaign=article&amp;%7Echannel=thescore-content&amp;tags=3357115">Bet: Over 38.5 goals (-125)</a>
</h3><p>McDavid hasn't reached this total since his 64-goal campaign in 2022-23, but he's vowed to shoot the puck more this season.</p><p>"I want to prove that scoring 50 or 60 is not a one-off," he <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3338343" href="https://thescore.com/news/3338343">said</a>. "I've had 50 goals and I've had 100 assists, and I like the goals a little bit more."</p><p>When the game's best player is adamant about improving a specific area of his game, it's best to trust him. And if McDavid commits to being more selfish (in the best way possible) with the puck on his stick this season, he should smash 38.5 goals. </p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Los Angeles Chargers (Copy) (Copy) (Copy)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-Sd9mc" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/Sd9mc/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="99" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}})}();
</script></figure><h3>🏒 <a href="https://about.espnbet.com/sportsbook-redirect/?market_selection_id%5B0%5D=18ea2b58-7153-4f93-a097-28a8c0d52dfe&amp;odds_numerator%5B0%5D=9&amp;odds_denominator%5B0%5D=5&amp;%24canonical_url=%2Fsport%2Fhockey%2Forganization%2Funited-states%2Fcompetition%2Fnhl%2Fsection%2Fplayer_specials&amp;campaign=thescore_content&amp;customer_campaign=article&amp;%7Echannel=thescore-content&amp;tags=3357115">Bet: Over 66.5 points (-125)</a>
</h3><p>Tkachuk managed just 55 points while missing 10 games due to injury in 2024-25, but in the three seasons prior, he tallied 74, 83, and 67 points. Tkachuk is firmly in the prime of his career at 26 years old. With some further development from his 23-year-old linemate Tim Stutzle, and perhaps some better puck luck (Tkachuk's 9.8% shooting percentage last season was his lowest since 2020-21), he should be able to surpass this total.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Los Angeles Chargers (Copy) (Copy) (Copy) (Copy)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-u8Me4" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/u8Me4/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="99" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}})}();
</script></figure><h3>🏒 <a target="_blank" href="https://about.espnbet.com/sportsbook-redirect/?market_selection_id%5B0%5D=55af30de-56b7-480a-a3cd-53934bdf754b&amp;odds_numerator%5B0%5D=11&amp;odds_denominator%5B0%5D=6&amp;%24canonical_url=%2Fsport%2Fhockey%2Forganization%2Funited-states%2Fcompetition%2Fnhl%2Fsection%2Fteam-points&amp;campaign=thescore_content&amp;customer_campaign=article&amp;%7Echannel=thescore-content&amp;tags=3357115">Bet: Over 90.5 points (-120)</a>
</h3><p>The Canadiens surprised everyone with 91 points and a playoff appearance last season. While regression is possible, I tend to believe Montreal is here to stay. The Habs greatly improved their blue line with the offseason acquisition of Noah Dobson, who's just 25 years old and one season removed from an eighth-place finish in Norris Trophy voting. They'll also get a boost up front with the addition of 2024 No. 5 pick Ivan Demidov, a supremely skilled winger who enters the season as the Calder Trophy favorite (+165).</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Los Angeles Chargers (Copy) (Copy) (Copy) (Copy) (Copy)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-xJk7m" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/xJk7m/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="99" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}})}();
</script></figure><h3>🏒 <a target="_blank" href="https://about.espnbet.com/sportsbook-redirect/?market_selection_id%5B0%5D=b4f41863-5997-4113-9c32-6d0539710c42&amp;odds_numerator%5B0%5D=4&amp;odds_denominator%5B0%5D=1&amp;%24canonical_url=%2Fsport%2Fhockey%2Forganization%2Funited-states%2Fcompetition%2Fnhl%2Fsection%2Fplayoffs&amp;campaign=thescore_content&amp;customer_campaign=article&amp;%7Echannel=thescore-content&amp;tags=3357115">Bet: To make the playoffs (+300)</a>
</h3><p>This is more of a long shot, but the Ducks are a team on the rise. They improved from 59 points in 2023-24 to 80 points last season. This offseason, they added veterans Chris Kreider and Mikael Granlund to support their promising young core of Leo Carlsson, Mason McTavish, Cutter Gauthier, and Jackson LaCombe. Most importantly, they hired Joel Quenneville as head coach, who has a long track record of turning teams around in his first season on the job.</p><p><em>US: Must be 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER; Hope is here. Call <a href="tel:8003275050">(800)-327-5050</a> or visit <a href="http://gamblinghelplinema.org/">gamblinghelplinema.org</a> for 24/7 support (MA); Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY).</em></p><p><em>ON: Please play responsibly. 19+. ON only. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call ConnexOntario 24/7 at <a href="tel:18665312600">1-866-531-2600</a>. Text us at 247247 or chat with us at <a href="http://www.connexontario.ca/">www.connexontario.ca</a>.</em></p>

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NHL season-long betting: Who poses biggest threat to Panthers' 3-peat?

The New Jersey Devils and restricted free-agent defenseman Luke Hughes ended their contract stale...

<p>The New Jersey Devils and restricted free-agent defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/10579" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/10579">Luke Hughes</a> ended their contract stalemate Wednesday, agreeing to a seven-year deal with an average annual value of $9 million, the team announced.</p><p>Hughes was a Calder Trophy finalist in 2023-24 when he tallied 47 points in 82 games. He managed 44 points in 71 games a year ago, finishing second on the team in average time on ice (21:09).</p><p>While he has shown flashes of offensive brilliance, Hughes' defensive game is still a work in progress. But he possesses the tools to improve as a gifted skater with a 6-foot-2 frame.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Luke Hughes, signed 7x$9M by NJ, is a developing puck-moving D with skill that hasn't quite translated to on-ice results yet. He might be the fastest D in the league, carries the puck a lot, great passer. Active in the D zone but a bit turnover prone and leaky off the rush. <a href="https://t.co/xVi4HguTMx">pic.twitter.com/xVi4HguTMx</a></p>— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) <a href="https://twitter.com/JFreshHockey/status/1973394362823290972?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The 22-year-old is now tied with fellow Devils blue-liner <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2155" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2155">Dougie Hamilton</a> as the highest-paid player on the team, and tied as the 12th-highest paid defenseman in the NHL for the 2025-26 season. He's also the highest-paid Hughes brother, besting <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/8594" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/8594">Jack</a> ($8-million AAV) and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/7960" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/7960">Quinn</a> ($7.85-million AAV).</p><p>Luke is now under contract with the Devils longer than Jack, who has five years remaining on his deal. Quinn has two seasons left on his contract with the Vancouver Canucks. Jack made headlines at the NHL/NHLPA player media tour in September when he said he "would love" to play with Quinn one day.</p><p>Luke's contract puts the Devils nearly $4 million over the salary cap for the time being. However, defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9987" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9987">Johnathan Kovacevic</a> ($4-million cap hit) projects to begin the season on long-term injured reserve after offseason knee surgery, which would give the club temporary cap relief until he can return.</p><p>The Devils selected Hughes with the No. 4 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.</p>

NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 05: Luke Hughes #43 of the New Jersey Devils skates during the second period of the game against the New York Rangers at Prudential Center on April 5, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey.

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Devils sign Luke Hughes to 7-year, $63M contract

Max Pacioretty's playing career appears to be over.  The 36-year-old is joining the University of...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/666" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/666">Max Pacioretty</a>'s playing career appears to be over.</p><p>The 36-year-old is joining the University of Michigan as a special assistant to the head coach, the program announced Tuesday.</p><p>"After 17 seasons in the NHL, I'm excited to begin this next chapter with Michigan hockey," Pacioretty said in a statement. "I'm so thankful for the teammates, coaches and fans who have been a part of my journey. Hockey has given me so much, and now I have the opportunity to help develop the next generation of players.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"Michigan has a tradition of producing elite talent, and I can't wait to share what I've learned to help these guys grow on and off the ice. Just as important, this next step allows me to be closer to my family and spend more time with my kids. I'm going to be coaching my four boys in youth hockey and that's something I'll really cherish as a dad."</p><p>He spent the 2024-25 campaign with the Toronto Maple Leafs and totaled 13 points in 37 games during the regular season before adding three goals and five assists in 11 playoff appearances. He became an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, but he didn't sign anywhere.</p><p>Pacioretty tallied 335 goals and 681 points in 939 career games. He scored 30 goals six times, including a career-high 39 in 2013-14 during his heyday with the Montreal Canadiens. He served as Montreal's captain for three seasons from 2015-18.</p><p>He suffered a fractured vertebrae and concussion while playing for the Canadiens in March 2011. Pacioretty returned the next season to register 33 goals and 65 points, winning the 2012 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy recognizing perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.</p><p>The 6-foot-2 winger also played for the Vegas Golden Knights, Carolina Hurricanes, and Washington Capitals.</p><p>Pacioretty played one season with Michigan in 2007-08 before turning pro, racking up 39 points in 37 games.</p>

TORONTO, ON - May 18: Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Max Pacioretty (67) is seen during a break in the third period of game 7 of the Eastern Conference Playoffs between the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs on May 18, 2025, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON.

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Pacioretty joins Michigan coaching staff

The Minnesota Wild signed franchise player Kirill Kaprizov to an eight-year extension with an ave...

<p>The Minnesota Wild signed franchise player <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/7294" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/7294">Kirill Kaprizov</a> to an eight-year extension with an average annual value of $17 million, the team announced Tuesday.</p><p>It's the largest contract in NHL history in total money and AAV.</p><p>Kaprizov is in the final year of a contract with a $9-million AAV. The extension begins in 2026-27 and will keep Kaprizov off the market through his age-36 season.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1280" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1280">Alex Ovechkin</a> previously held the NHL record for total money on a contract with the 13-year, $124-million deal he signed in 2008. Eight years is now the maximum length for NHL contracts when a player re-signs, although that will shrink to seven years under the new CBA starting in September 2026.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3948" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3948">Leon Draisaitl</a>'s $14M AAV was previously the highest in the league.</p><p>Kaprizov might not hold these records for more than a year, though, as three-time Hart Trophy winner <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4560" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4560">Connor McDavid</a> is in the final year of his contract.</p><p>However, Kaprizov's deal does reset the market for the time being. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5545" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5545">Kyle Connor</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4558" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4558">Jack Eichel</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4530" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4530">Artemi Panarin</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/6484" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/6484">Martin Necas</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4520" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4520">Adrian Kempe</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5550" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5550">Alex Tuch</a> are among the players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents in 2026.</p><p>Kaprizov's deal includes a full no-movement clause and is extremely bonus-heavy, per The Athletic's Michael Russo.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kaprizov structure is truly one of a kind, per sources. He's getting 20% of $95.5M cap in salary/signing bonuses ($19.1M) his 1st 4 years<br><br>He has $1 million salaries in each of the 8 years.<br><br>July 1 signing bonuses: 2026: $18.1M; 2027: $18.1M; 2028: $18.1M; 2029: $18.1M; 2030:…</p>— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) <a href="https://twitter.com/RussoHockey/status/1973037887999390048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Kaprizov's $17-million AAV is double that of the Wild's next highest-paid player, defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9275" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9275">Brock Faber</a>'s $8.5-million AAV.</p><p>The Wild still project to have $23 million in cap space next season, with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2582" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2582">Vladimir Tarasenko</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1658" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1658">Mats Zuccarello</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9896" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9896">Filip Gustavsson</a> among their most prominent UFAs.</p><p>Kaprizov was a Hart Trophy contender in 2024-25 before an injury derailed his season. He ended the campaign with 56 points in 41 games.</p><p>The 28-year-old established single-season franchise records for goals (47), assists (61), and points (108) during the 2021-22 campaign. He already ranks fourth in club history in goals (185) and fifth in points (386) in 319 career games.</p><p>The Wild drafted Kaprizov in the fifth round in 2015, though he played six seasons in the KHL before coming to North America and joining Minnesota ahead of the 2020-21 campaign.</p><p>Kaprizov reportedly turned down an eight-year extension with a $16-million AAV earlier in September. Wild general manager Bill Guerin denied that report, stating "I don't know where this stuff comes from."</p>

SAINT PAUL, MN - SEPTEMBER 25: Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) looks on during the first period of the NHL preseason game between the Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild on September 25th, 2025, at the the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, MN.

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Wild sign Kaprizov to record 8-year, $136M extension

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dylan Samberg will miss six-to-eight weeks with a broken wrist, head coa...

<p>Winnipeg Jets defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9989" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9989">Dylan Samberg</a> will miss six-to-eight weeks with a broken wrist, head coach Scott Arniel announced Monday.</p><p>Samberg left Saturday's preseason game against the Calgary Flames after taking a hit from <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9410" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9410">Ryan Lomberg</a>.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here’s a replay of the hit that knocked Dylan Samberg out of last night’s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLJets?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NHLJets</a> game. <br><br>Scott Arniel didn’t have an update after the game and said that they’ll know more in a day or two. <a href="https://t.co/xYMm7Ej8Hv">pic.twitter.com/xYMm7Ej8Hv</a></p>— Connor Hrabchak (@ConnorHrabchak1) <a href="https://twitter.com/ConnorHrabchak1/status/1972327772661109176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Samberg recorded 20 points in 60 games last season, averaging 21:08 per contest. He was a team-high plus-34.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5603" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5603">Logan Stanley</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4124" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4124">Haydn Fleury</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/10038" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/10038">Ville Heinola</a> are among the candidates to replace Samberg on the team's second defense pair alongside <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/6396" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/6396">Neal Pionk</a> to begin the season.</p><p>The Jets signed Samberg, 26, to a three-year contract with a $5.75-million average annual value this offseason.</p>

WINNIPEG, CANADA - MARCH 23: Dylan Samberg #54 of the Winnipeg Jets skates during second period action against the Buffalo Sabres at Canada Life Centre on March 23, 2025 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

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Jets' Samberg out 6-8 weeks with broken wrist

Team Europe narrowly avoided the biggest collapse in Ryder Cup history, holding off a Sunday char...

<p>Team Europe narrowly avoided the biggest collapse in Ryder Cup history, holding off a Sunday charge from the United States to claim the 45th edition of the event in nail-biting fashion with a final score of 15-13.</p><p>Europe needed only two points to retain the Ryder Cup after entering the singles matches with a 12-5 lead. However, it took until Match 8 when <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/325" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/325">Shane Lowry</a> tied <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1700" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/1700">Russell Henley</a> with a dramatic birdie on 18.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">SHANE LOWRY COMES UP CLUTCH TO RETAIN THE RYDER CUP! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamEurope?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamEurope</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OurTimeOurPlace?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OurTimeOurPlace</a> <a href="https://t.co/Q6LKpWr0aQ">pic.twitter.com/Q6LKpWr0aQ</a></p>— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyderCupEurope/status/1972411241345044715?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>"The Ryder Cup means everything to me, honestly," Lowry said while fighting back tears in his post-round interview. "I've won The Open in Ireland. It's amazing, it's a dream come true. But the Ryder Cup, for me, is everything."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Europe officially won its second straight Ryder Cup when <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/994" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/994">Tyrrell Hatton</a> tied Match 10 against <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/3135" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/3135">Collin Morikawa</a>, raising the visitors' point total to 14.5.</p><p>Prior to Lowry's dramatic moment, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/5384" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/5384">Ludvig Aberg</a> won Europe's only match of the day with a 2&amp;1 victory over <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1451" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/1451">Patrick Cantlay</a>. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/808" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/808">Matt Fitzpatrick</a> notched a half point with a tie against <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/437" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/437">Bryson DeChambeau</a> in a match he once led by five.</p><p>Europe also picked up a half point prior to the start of Sunday's singles matches when <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/5297" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/5297">Viktor Hovland</a> had to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3355998" href="https://thescore.com/news/3355998">withdraw</a> with a neck injury, invoking the rarely used "envelope rule." When each captain submits their Sunday singles lineup, they place one player's name in an envelope. That golfer sits out in the event an opponent withdraws due to illness or injury more than 30 minutes before the first match. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1643" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/1643">Harris English</a>'s name was in the U.S. envelope.</p><p>However, Europe still would've won the Ryder Cup even if Hovland had played and lost to English.</p><p>Here are the full results of the matches:</p><ul>
<li>Match 1: Cameron Young 🇺🇸 1-up over Justin Rose 🇪🇺</li>
<li>Match 2: Justin Thomas 🇺🇸 1-up over Tommy Fleetwood 🇪🇺</li>
<li>March 3: Matt Fitzpatrick 🇪🇺 ties Bryson DeChambeau 🇺🇸</li>
<li>Match 4: Scottie Scheffler 🇺🇸 1-up over Rory McIlroy 🇪🇺</li>
<li>Match 5: Ludvig Aberg 🇪🇺 2&amp;1 over Patrick Cantlay 🇺🇸</li>
<li>Match 6: Xander Schauffele 🇺🇸 4&amp;3 over Jon Rahm 🇪🇺</li>
<li>Match 7: J.J. Spaun 🇺🇸 2&amp;1 over Sepp Straka 🇪🇺</li>
<li>Match 8: Shane Lowry 🇪🇺 ties Russell Henley 🇺🇸</li>
<li>Match 9: Ben Griffin 🇺🇸 1-up over Rasmus Hojgaard 🇪🇺</li>
<li>Match 10: Tyrrell Hatton 🇪🇺 ties Collin Morikawa 🇺🇸</li>
<li>Match 11: Robert MacIntyre 🇪🇺 ties Sam Burns 🇺🇸</li>
<li>Match 12: Viktor Hovland 🇪🇺 ties Harris English 🇺🇸</li>
</ul><p>The victory marked the first time a visiting team has won the Ryder Cup since the "Miracle at Medinah" in 2012, when Europe stormed back to stun the United States in Illinois. In total, Europe has now won nine of the last 12 Ryder Cups dating back to 2002.</p>

FARMINGDALE, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 28: Europe Captain Luke Donald, Shane Lowry, Rasmus Hojgaard, Justin Rose, Jon Rahm, Sepp Straka, Ludvig Aberg, Rory McIlroy, Viktor Hovland, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Robert MacIntyre and Tyrrell Hatton of Team Europe hold the Ryder Cup trophy after their 15-13 victory during the trophy presentation ceremony following the Sunday singles matches of the 2025 Ryder Cup at Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course on September 28, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York.

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Europe holds off Sunday charge from U.S. to win 2nd straight Ryder Cup

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