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Avalanche Sign Victor Olofsson

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Aug. 20: Olofsson’s deal will pay him $1.575MM this season, PuckPedia reports. The team quickly confirmed his signing.

Aug. 19: According to a report from PuckPedia, the Colorado Avalanche are zeroing in on a one-year deal with unrestricted free agent forward Victor Olofsson. Olofsson represented one of the few remaining quality scoring options on the free agent market.

It’ll be a second straight one-year contract for Olofsson. He joined the Vegas Golden Knights last summer on his first trip through unrestricted free agency, reuniting with his former linemate with the Buffalo Sabres, Jack Eichel. He didn’t spend much of his time on the top line with Eichel, but he had a much better season than he did a year prior, scoring 15 goals and 29 points in 56 games, averaging 14:30 of ice time per night.

Still, it would’ve been difficult for Olofsson to have a worse season than his final year with the Sabres. In his last year with the club during the 2023-24 campaign, Olofsson mustered seven goals and 15 points in 51 games. It was objectively the worst season of his professional career, including his time in the Swedish Hockey League from 2013 to 2018.

It obfuscated the successful run he had with the Sabres earlier in his career. From 2019 to 2023, Olofsson was one of the better secondary scorers in the league, managing 81 goals and 163 points in 257 games with the Sabres. Furthermore, given that 56 of those points came on Buffalo’s power play, Olofsson was a notable offensive weapon with a man advantage.

The Avalanche have been stockpiling depth assets for the better part of two years now, and it’s easy to understand why. Colorado has dealt with considerable injury issues throughout the last few seasons, necessitating their need for more NHL-ready options. Last season, the Avalanche used 49 different players throughout the regular season, though they still finished the season as one of the better teams.

This means that Olofsson could have more access to playing time than he might otherwise expect. He’s certainly a better option for the Avalanche to use regularly than their recent acquisition, Daniil Gushchin, and is objectively a better option than Ivan Ivan.

Evening Notes: Gillies, O’Connor, Nardella

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A former third-string option at the NHL level enjoyed his time in the ECHL so much last season that he wants another go at it. According to a team announcement, the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears have signed netminder Jon Gillies for the 2025-26 campaign.

Despite being in the professional ranks for the last decade, Gillies is best known for his work at the collegiate level. Putting together an impressive season with the NCAA’s Providence College, Gillies managed a 24-13-2 record in 39 games with a .930 SV%, 2.01 GAA, and four shutouts during the 2014-15 season. Gillies played so well behind the Friars that they were able to win the first National Championship in program history.

He put together a few good years with the AHL’s Stockton Heat, but couldn’t replicate the success he had in college. From 2015 to 2023, Gillies managed a 78-71-32 record in 184 appearances with a .904 SV% and 2.94 GAA with the Calgary Flames, New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Blues, Arizona Coyotes, and Columbus Blue Jackets organizations. He played in seven games for the Solar Bears last season.

Other notes from this evening:

  • The Colorado Avalanche are getting some good news from one of their better bottom-six players. According to AJ Haefele of the DNVR Avalanche podcast, Logan O’Connor’s recovery from surgery is going ahead of schedule. He posits that O’Connor should only miss between 10 and 16 games, which would forecast his return to early November, nearly a month earlier than expected.
  • The AHL’s Manitoba Moose are adding some veteran experience to their coaching staff for the upcoming season. Earlier today, the team announced that they’ve hired Bob Nardella as an assistant coach for the 2025-26 AHL season. Nardella has spent more than a decade with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves, moving from the team’s skills coach to the assistant coach before serving as the head coach last year.

Adam Raška Signs With HC Sparta Praha

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After six years playing in North America, forward Adam Raška is returning to his native Czechia. According to a team announcement, the Extraliga’s HC Sparta Praha has signed Raška for the 2025-26 season.

Today’s signing marks the conclusion of Raška’s unimpressive professional career in North America. He was drafted 201st overall in the 2020 NHL Draft by the San Jose Sharks. During his draft season, he had a quietly successful campaign with the QMJHL’s Rimouski Océanic, scoring 13 goals and 21 points in 35 games.

Aside from a brief loan to HC Oceláři Třinec in 2020-21, Raška spent another year with the Océanic, scoring 12 goals and 25 points in 22 games, including another three goals and six points in eight postseason contests. Still, that’s the last time he’s registered much offensive success in his career.

Raška transitioned to the professional ranks a year later, scoring five goals and 14 points in 49 games for the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda. Still, it didn’t take long for the Sharks to realize what they had in Raška, as they allowed him the opportunity to debut in the NHL that same year.

He quickly became a hard-nosed forward who was willing to play aggressively, with nearly zero offensive potential. There’s definitely a place for that at the NHL level, but Raška took too many penalties and never turned into a true shutdown forward. Two years ago, the Sharks traded Raška to the Minnesota Wild along with a 2026 fifth-round selection for defenseman Calen Addison.

Similar to his time in the Bay Area, Raška spent much of his time with the Wild’s AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild, with limited NHL action. He played primarily for Iowa last season, scoring five goals and 14 points in 56 games with 83 PIMs. He’s planning on staying true to his roots in his transition back to Czechia, saying, “My biggest advantage is being such a jerk on the ice. Making the opponent’s game uncomfortable and making room for our guys to play better.“

The Significance Of Sergei Fedorov’s Jersey Retirement

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Earlier today, the Detroit Red Wings announced that they’d be lifting Sergei Fedorov’s No. 91 to the rafters in a game against the Carolina Hurricanes in mid-January of the upcoming campaign. As much as Fedorov has earned the honor, it marked a significant shift in attitude from the organization toward the former Russian star.

Fedorov’s story with the Red Wings began in the 1989 NHL Draft after being selected with the 74th overall pick, which fell in the fourth round at the time. Under the leadership of General Manager Jim Devellano, Detroit became one of the first clubs to target Russian players in the draft. At the time, most of the league viewed this strategy as a fool’s errand due to the significant challenges players faced in defecting from the Soviet Union.

Thanks to the efforts of writer Keith Grave and Jim Lites, who was Detroit’s Executive Vice President at the time, the team encouraged Fedorov to defect from the Soviet Union and leave his CSKA Moscow club. Ultimately, Fedorov did both things, leaving the 1990 Goodwill Games with Lites on a plane to Detroit.

Fedorov started playing for the Red Wings in the 1990-91 NHL season and never looked back. He drew praise from around the league almost immediately, scoring 31 goals and 79 points in 77 games during his rookie campaign. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to win the Calder Trophy that season, but Fedorov quickly became one of, if not the most talented, players in the league.

His talent reached its peak during the 1993-94 season, when Fedorov scored 56 goals and 120 points in 82 games, en route to winning the Hart Memorial Trophy, Frank J. Selke Trophy, and Lester B. Pearson Award (later renamed the Ted Lindsay Award). This season serves as the last time a player for the Red Wings has been crowned as the league’s MVP.

His dominance continued for the next two years, helping Detroit reach its first Stanley Cup Final in nearly three decades. The Red Wings weren’t able to top the summit, but they had now cemented themselves as a force to be reckoned with throughout the NHL world.

They wouldn’t have to wait long for that championship. During the 1996-97 season, consequently, the third year of the famed ’Russian Five’ made up of Fedorov, Igor Larionov, Vyacheslav Kozlov, Viacheslav Fetisov, and Vladimir Konstantinov, the Red Wings won their first Stanley Cup since 1955 against the Philadelphia Flyers. Unfortunately, this was the informal beginning of the end of Fedorov’s tenure in Detroit.

To contextualize, the Red Wings’ owner at the time, Mike Illitch, was beloved by his players. Illitch demonstrated an insatiable desire to win, immediately making him one of the most revered owners in sports by his fan base. The loyalty he showed to his players was one of his best qualities; however, it became the wedge that began prying Fedorov away from HockeyTown, as Illitch required a reciprocal loyalty in return.

Becoming a restricted free agent before the 1997-98 season, Fedorov held out for a new contract with Detroit. He ultimately decided to sign a $38MM contract with the Hurricanes, which included some questionable signing bonuses. Carolina included a $14MM signing bonus for simply putting pen to paper, another $2MM bonus for reaching the 21-game plateau during the 1997-98 campaign, and a whopping $12MM bonus if his team were to make the Conference Final that season, which was put in to dissuade the Red Wings from matching the offer.

Not to be outspent by anyone, Illitch and the Red Wings reluctantly matched the offer, but ended up paying Fedorov $28MM in signing bonuses by the end of the campaign, which still stands as the largest amount ever given to an NHL player. Fedorov went on to win two more Stanley Cups with the Red Wings (1998 and 2002), though the recent contractual holdout severely tarnished his relationship with Detroit’s ownership.

This culminated in Fedorov’s departure from the Red Wings after the 2002-03 NHL season, signing with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim on a five-year, $40MM contract. It was the nail in the coffin for any relationship between Detroit’s ownership and Fedorov, as the Russian superstar reportedly rejected a five-year, $50MM contract and a four-year, $40MM contract to remain in Detroit. Since that time, despite winning an MVP award, three Stanley Cups, and being a dominant force in the league, the Red Wings and their fans harbored no affection for Fedorov over the next two decades.

As the old moniker goes, time has healed the wounds between Detroit and Fedorov. He suited up for the team during the 2013 Winter Classic Alumni Game and received a warm welcome from the Detroit faithful at a ceremonial puck drop in 2015 after his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame. It’s important to note that despite his number not being officially retired until this season, no Red Wing has donned No. 91 since the 2002-03 campaign.

There may still be several fans of the Red Wings, particularly those who experienced the team’s greatness in the late 1990s and early 2000s, who will never forgive Fedorov for leaving. Still, despite featuring alumni such as Gordie Howe and Steve Yzerman, there’s a strong argument that Fedorov is the most talented player to ever don the ’Winged Wheel’, and the organization is rightfully honoring him as they should have long ago.

Photo courtesy of Julian H. Gonzalez, Detroit Free Press. 

Snapshots: Valentini, Thornton, Nikishin, Wilsby

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Initially announced by the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers and later confirmed by the University of Michigan, a top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft will play for a different team next season. Adam Valentini will be joining the Wolverines next season rather than the Rangers.

The Toronto native is projected to be a late first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, but his prospect ranking could rise following his performance with Team Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He finished the tournament with four goals and nine points in five games, after scoring 17 goals and 39 points in 58 games with the USHL’s Chicago Steel.

Moving from the OHL to the NCAA will be a significant risk for Valentini. If he performs well against much older competition, he could find his way into being a late lottery selection. Still, if the transition goes poorly, Valentini could fall out of the first round altogether. Furthermore, with the Wolverines having one of the youngest rosters in the Big Ten Conference next season, there’s no guarantee the team around him can lift him if he falters.

Other snapshots:

  • According to a post on his LinkedIn, and shared by Ty Anderson of 98.5 The Sports Hub, former NHL enforcer Shawn Thornton is moving on from his position with the Florida Panthers. Despite not sharing the next role of his career, Thornton had been working as the Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations for the Panthers for the last four years. Without speculating too much on his next chapter, it’s realistic to think that Thornton has found another role in hockey operations elsewhere.
  • In a new interview with Daria Tuboltseva of RG Media, Carolina Hurricanes Alexander Nikishin spoke at length about his preparation for what’s expected to be the first full season in the NHL this upcoming year. Up to this point, Nikishin only has four postseason games under his belt from the 2024-25 Stanley Cup playoffs, but he did play the entire regular season with the KHL’s SKA St. Petersburg. In the interview, he spoke about how seriously he’s taking his preparation for the upcoming campaign, saying, “I want to train properly. My first NHL experience was a lesson – I realized what I need to work on. Now it will be easier because I already know the guys, the staff, the locker room, how practices go. I can’t wait for the season, but preparation is the key. I want to be as useful for the team as possible, without being the weak link.“
  • A few weeks ago, reports emerged that Nashville Predators defenseman Spencer Stastney considered retiring last summer. Similarly, a new interview between Rasmus Kågstrom of Hockeysverige and defenseman Adam Wilsby indicates that the latter was considering a return to his native Sweden rather than continue his pursuit of an NHL role. As things turned out, Wilsby spent most of his time playing for the Predators last season and has a decent chance to make the team out of training camp this September. In the interview, Wilsby was quoted as saying, “Of course, I started thinking about where I would take the next step. At the same time, I felt like I wasn’t quite done with the US yet. I felt like it would either work out, or I would probably end up going to Europe. It’s great that it paid off.“

New Ownership Potential Emerges For Pittsburgh Penguins

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Aside from the quality of their roster and potential moves of several veterans in the lineup, one of the main storylines from the Pittsburgh Penguins this summer has been that Fenway Sports Group (FSG), the majority owner of the Penguins franchise, is interested in selling a portion of the team. Up to this point, the former ownership group, led by franchise icon Mario Lemieux, has been the only entity to have expressed interest in purchasing the minority stake, and potentially even the majority share of the franchise should the opportunity arise.

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, another interested party has emerged. The Hoffmann family, composed of David and his son Geoff, the owner of the ECHL’s Florida Everblades, has thrown their hat in the ring for ownership of the Penguins. Although Forbes doesn’t know the exact net worth of anyone unless personally disclosed, they’ve projected Hoffmann’s net worth to be approximately $2 billion.

If that’s the case, Hoffmann would likely require external assistance instead of using his assets for a loan, considering the Penguins’ projected value is approximately $1.75 billion. Lemieux sold the team to FSG in 2021 for a reported $900 million, meaning that the franchise has nearly doubled in perceived value in four years.

It could come as a surprise that FSG would be willing to sell the Pittsburgh-based franchise only four years after its acquisition, but it’s not entirely without precedent for the ownership group. In 1999, the group purchased the MLB’s Miami Marlins for $150 million, and sold it in 2002 for an $8.5 million profit. Due to the exponential increase in the value of sports franchises in the current market, FSG would realize a significant profit if it opted for a full sale.

Still, there is no guarantee that FSG is willing to sell its entire stake in the franchise. Friedman reported that although Hoffmann is interested in purchasing a part of the Penguins, there is still much to be done, and the deal is far from completion. Additionally, considering his ties to the organization and his contributions to the franchise throughout his career, along with their previous agreements, Lemieux and his team might have the advantage despite the new competition.

Josh Leivo Signs With KHL’s Traktor Chelyabinsk

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The reigning MVP of the KHL has found a new home. In an announcement from the league, forward Josh Leivo has signed a one-year contract with the KHL’s Traktor Chelyabinsk, the most recent Eastern Conference champions.

It’s quite the addition for Traktor as they look to capture the Gagarin Cup for the first time in franchise history. Leivo is coming off an impressive year with the KHL’s Salavat Yulaev Ufa, scoring 49 goals and 80 points in 62 games with a +26 rating. This MVP season came one year after he scored 15 goals and 38 points in 40 games throughout his first season in Russia.

Leivo’s postseason record the past two years should also benefit Traktor in its pursuit of the Gagarin Cup. The former 86th overall pick of the 2011 NHL Draft has scored six goals and 24 points in 20 games throughout the KHL postseason. It’s also the second time that Leivo has been honored with a league award for his performance throughout his professional career, winning the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy during the 2022 Calder Cup playoffs after scoring 15 goals and 29 points in 18 games en route to a Calder Cup ring with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves.

It’s important to note that his journey to Traktor has been quite unusual. Despite signing a multi-year agreement with Salavat Yulaev Ufa after becoming the first Canadian to win the KHL’s MVP award, his contract was mutually terminated a few days ago. Several theories have emerged regarding this situation, including Leivo’s late arrival to training camp, visa complications, and financial difficulties faced by his former team.

All three theories may contain some truth, and we may never fully understand what happened. Still, the latter theory may have the most credibility as several reports from Russia have indicated that his former team requested he restructure his contract with a reduced salary, something Leivo wasn’t willing to do.

Minor Transactions: Lockwood, Timashov, Pinard

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Although it’s not entirely confirmed, a new report out of Russia indicates that the KHL’s SKA St. Petersburg is closing in on a contract with William Lockwood. Assuming he signs a new contract with SKA, it will be Lockwood’s first playing experience outside of North America in his professional career.

The Bloomfield Hills, MI native was drafted in the third round of the 2016 NHL Draft by the Vancouver Canucks. After a solid four-year career with the NCAA’s University of Michigan Wolverines program, Lockwood debuted with the Canucks in the 2020-21 NHL season. He failed to gain much traction in Vancouver and spent much of his time with their AHL affiliates, the Utica Comets and Abbotsford Canucks.

Lockwood held a brief role with the New York Rangers’ AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, after a mid-season trade during the 2022-23 campaign. Over the past two years, he has been with the Florida Panthers organization, where he played for their top affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers. During that stretch, he scored 22 goals and recorded 46 points in 84 regular-season games, along with an additional six goals and nine points in 21 postseason contests.

Other minor transactions:

  • Former depth forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, and New York Islanders, Dmytro Timashov has found a new landing spot in the KHL. According to a team announcement, the Ukrainian-born and Swedish-raised forward has signed a two-year agreement with the KHL’s Admiral Vladivostok. It’s impressive that Timashov landed a two-year contract, given that he’s coming off one of the worst seasons of his professional playing career. In 44 games split between the NL’s Genève-Servette HC and KHL’s HK Sochi, Timashov mustered only three goals and 13 points during the 2024-25 campaign.
  • The AHL affiliate of the Washington Capitals, the Hershey Bears, announced that they have signed forward Simon Pinard to a one-year AHL contract for the 2025-26 season. There’s no guarantee that Pinard spends the year in Hershey, but he’s coming off an exceptional season with the ECHL’s Tahoe Knight Monsters, scoring 33 goals and 64 points in 63 games with a +21 rating.

KHL’s Dragons Sign Ryan Spooner, Nick Merkley, Nikita Popugayev

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A day after signing Jake Bischoff and Gage Quinney, the KHL’s Shanghai Dragons continue adding to their club via the free agent market. Today, the team announced they’ve signed former NHL talents Ryan Spooner and Nicholas Merkley, as well as New Jersey Devils’ prospect Nikita Popugayev.

Spooner is the most significant of today’s additions, having the most playing experience at the NHL level. He was drafted with the 45th overall selection of the 2010 NHL Draft by the Boston Bruins, and spent the better part of seven years in the sport’s top league. Spooner’s best run in the NHL came between 2015 and 2018 with the Bruins and New York Rangers, playing as a solid secondary contributor for each team. During that run, Spooner scored 37 goals and 129 points in 217 games while averaging 14:48 of ice time per game.

Although a return to the NHL level can’t entirely be ruled out, Spooner will likely finish his NHL career with 48 goals and 167 points in 325 career contests with the Bruins, Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, and Vancouver Canucks. Since the 2019-20 season, he has been playing in the KHL, with a brief stop in the NL, scoring 77 goals and 257 points in 307 games in Russia.

Unlike Spooner, Merkley was drafted 15 picks earlier in the 2015 NHL Draft by the Arizona Coyotes and has far less experience at the NHL and KHL levels. Over the past three years playing with the KHL’s Dinamo Minsk and Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg, Merkley has scored 47 goals and 92 points in 191 games with another five goals and nine points in 18 postseason contests.

Meanwhile, Popugayev has spent much of the last decade in his native Russia. He was drafted 98th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft, and while his rights remain with the Devils, he’s unlikely to return to North America to continue his playing career. He’s spent the last two years with the KHL’s Lada Togliatti, scoring 21 goals and 32 points in 61 games.

Poll: Which Non-Playoff Team Last Season Will Make It This Year?

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In both conferences, the 2024-25 Stanley Cup playoff race came down to the wire, with the Columbus Blue Jackets missing the cut by two points, and the Calgary Flames tying but losing out via the tiebreaker. Outside of those two, there are a handful of teams that have a legitimate chance to return to the postseason this upcoming season, but the uphill climb isn’t expected to get any easier.

While not entirely impossible (looking at you, 2024-25 Flames), there are a handful of teams we can rule out of the conversation. The Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Boston Bruins are by no means ruled out of the playoff conversation already, but their odds are nearly insurmountable.

Two of the most popular choices for returning postseason squads come from the Metropolitan Division. Given that it’s hard to expect the Washington Capitals to replicate last season’s unprecedented performance, and the fact that the New Jersey Devils’ competitiveness lies on the shoulders of the health status of Jack Hughes, the Blue Jackets, and the New York Rangers could return to the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2025-26.

Columbus has a major question mark between the pipes, and doesn’t have a true star forward, though they do have a star defenseman in Zach Werenski. Despite a disappointing 2024-25 season, the Rangers are only one year removed from reaching the Eastern Conference Final. They have retooled their roster and hired a new head coach during the offseason.

Although the Flames only missed by a tiebreaker last season, the Utah Mammoth have one of the strongest claims in the West this season. Unfortunately, they play in a difficult Central Division. It’s difficult to pencil in the Mammoth for a top-three spot in the division for 2025-26, but a Wild Card spot shouldn’t be out of the question.

This list is not exhaustive; the Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, Philadelphia Flyers, Anaheim Ducks, Nashville Predators, and Vancouver Canucks have all expressed their desire to return to the postseason in 2025-26. Still, there are only so many postseason spots to earn, and none of last year’s participants are eager to give up their postseason positioning from this past season. Now it’s your time to choose: which non-playoff team from last season, if any, has the strongest chance for a playoff spot for the upcoming season?

Mobile users click here to vote.

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