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,
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.
When that No. 13 ping pong ball popped up on the night of the NHL Lottery, giving the NY Islanders the first pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, Matthew Schaefer was the expected first overall pick. Also expected is that he'd be the cornerstone of the franchise, giving them an elite skating, play-making option along the blue line. Schaefer is among the leagues top young talents What was unexpected is that he'd become all of that in his first 21 NHL games.
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.
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.
Frank's first point of the night came on his first career power-play goal and his first goal of the season. Taking a pass from Alex Ovechkin as he skated into the slot, Frank ripped a shot past Sam Montembeault's glove, giving the Capitals a 2-1 lead 2:00 into the second period. "That first goal on the power play, that's a huge play," Caps head coach Spencer Carbery said postgame.
Nineteen-year-old rookie Ilya Protas leads the Bears with 10 points in 14 games and is tied for first in goals (5) with veteran Matt Strome, who scored Hershey's Calder Cup-winning goal in 2024. The last rookie to finish a season leading the Hershey Bears in points was Connor McMichael, who tallied 27 points (14g, 13a) in 33 games during the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season. The last rookie player to lead the team in goals was Ethen Frank, who scored 30 goals during the 2022-23 campaign. Both are in the NHL and currently play for the Washington Capitals.
So, they come in the league in 2000. They haven't made round two of the playoffs ever. They haven't made the playoffs since 2020. They've missed the playoffs 20 of 25 times. The best Blue Jacket ever is Rick Nash. They've had 7 team captains: Lyle Odelein, Ray Whitney, Luke Richardson, Adam Foote, Rick Nash, Nick Foligno, and Boone Jenner. I've never heard a single conversation about the Blue Jackets.
The Artemi Panarin contract stalement is front and center for the New York Rangers with no end in sight. In talking with RG Media, former Ranger Alexei Kovalev said Panarin returning to Russia if things with the Rangers don't work out is a strong possibility. Kovalev cited his own experience in choosing Ottawa for the money, a poor choice by his own words, instead of focusing on things that may matter more, like people, familiarity, and environment.
