National Hockey League

National Hockey League

BARRY TROTZ CAN HEAR the vultures circling. They sound like a vibrating phone, as other NHL general managers call him to inquire about his veteran players during another disastrous start for the Nashville Predators. "You hear this from a lot of teams: 'We're looking for a top-six [forward].' You know, I have a couple of top sixes," Trotz told ESPN on Monday. "I've talked to their agents. I just want to get a feel for [things]. If we get this turned around, it'll be fine. If we don't, then maybe they want to say, 'Hey, I'm getting a little older, I want another crack at it. Can we do something?'"

Fantilli was drafted third overall out of the University of Michigan in 2023, and is still continuing to grow into his role in Columbus. As one of the many young and exciting rookies expecting to sign a big deal next summer, Fantilli is likely going to be one of the players who has the season to prove his worth, and if things continue to improve, he will meet that value with no issue whatsoever.

Signed to a bridge deal on July 1st, Eklund's contract was at first criticized for not being long enough and for the Sharks refusing to take the gamble on Eklund's potential. But what if that was the correct move? What if that's the proper way to do reconnaissance and one's due diligence before making a long-term investment into a future cornerstone?

Kampf was a serviceable piece for Toronto during the height of the Core Four era. Kampf was part of the replaceable depth pieces that supported the big guns. However, Kampf's role on the team gradually diminished as his limited scoring vaporized, and his defensive play didn't warrant a lineup spot. The situation came to a head this season when Kampf didn't even make it out of training camp.

The New York Islanders have done something they haven't done in over a calendar year: Win a game in a shootout. Facing a second straight loss after Freddy Gaudreau of the Seattle Kraken snuck the opener past Islanders netminder David Rittich, the red-hot Bo Horvat converted what would have been his side's final chance with a quick wrister that beat netminder Joey Daccord. Kyle Palmieri snapped the winner in the next round, lifting the Islanders to a 1-0 victory on Sunday night at UBS Arena.

This season, it's been No B.S. The only member of the New York Rangers who adhered to the latter motto in the club's 3-2 road loss to the Utah Mammoth on Saturday night was goaltender Jonathan Quick. Quick turned aside 31 of the 34 shots he faced, ending with a .912 save percentage. And the three goals that evaded him were hardly his fault. All came off either a broken play or a giveaway, more indicative of disjointed team play.

With the Colorado Avalanche, the main stars of the show are Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. However, a new young star has made his presence known and he is making big plays. Forward Gavin Brindley is in his first year with the Colorado Avalanche but he is already fitting in nicely. A player with relentless energy, he is showing that he can be a reliable bottom-six player who shows up in big games. While he is still young, he is proving he belongs in Colorado.

Montreal Canadiens winger Josh Anderson is one of the most sandpapery players in the NHL. During the playoffs, he irritated Tom Wilson so much that the ice couldn't contain the pair's brawl, and the two power forwards tried to fight each other on the Capitals bench as a referee hung on for dear life. In the Capitals and Candiens' first meeting of the 2025-26 regular season, Anderson may have bit off more than he could chew with Alex Ovechkin,

Pyke has yet to play in the AHL this year, recording seven points (3g, 4a) in 13 games for the ECHL's Utah Grizzlies. Pyke, 26, is a left-handed defender who has 29 games of AHL experience with the Eagles from last season. The former University of Alaska-Fairbanks captain and University of North Dakota standout has yet to record his first AHL goal, coming to the Bears with two career assists.

The Ottawa Senators make the team's one and only visit to SAP Center this season, and it marks Fabian Zetterlund's first game back in San Jose since he was traded on March 7, 2025. Zetterlund spoke to the media on Friday about what he missed the most about San Jose, and his answer, as posted by San Jose Hockey Digest's Max Miller, is heartbreaking.

Lambert had a strong AHL rookie campaign, but it seems like frustration set in last year when that initial success didn't lead to a spot on the Jets. His numbers declined and now in his third year in North America and not being an NHL regular, Lambert is pleading for a change of scenery and depending on the price tag, the Leafs should consider being that landing spot.