Blackhawks Legend Glenn Hall Passes Away At Age 94
Tragic news has come through the hockey world. Legendary goaltender Glenn Hall has passed away at the age of 94, per an NHL press release. Hall played four seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, four seasons with the St. Louis Blues, and 10 seasons with the Chicago Black Hawks. He won two Stanley Cups and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1975.
Few hockey careers were as prolific as Hall’s. He earned the monichre ‘Mr. Goalie’ by the end of his career, in part thanks to how consistent of a presence he was in net. Hall rarely missed a game, setting an NHL record for 502 consecutive starts (552 including playoffs) between the start of his career in 1955 and his eighth season in 1962. That stretch spanned a move from the Red Wings to the Black Hawks and saw Hall play more than 30,000 minutes of hockey.
Even more impressive, Hall acheived the record without wearing a mask, which wasn’t popularized until Montreal Canadiens’ goaltender Jacques Plante took up the protective gear in 1959. Hall wouldn’t wear a mask until November 1968, at the age of 37. He allowed a goal on one of the first few shifts of that game and earned an ejection on the very next shift. Ironically, Plante was the one to replace Hall. The duo of Hall-of-Fame goaltenders would go on to combine for 13 shutouts and collectively won the Vezina Trophy.
He earned attention for much more than his propensity for playing every game, and not wearing a mask. His career began with the Humboldt Indians and Windsor Spitfires of Ontario’s early junior leagues. He signed with the Red Wings in 1949, while in juniors, and spent his first pro year in 1951 assigned to the AHL’s Indianapolis Capitals. Hall played 68 games for the Capitals and got called-up to fill Detroit’s backup position for the 1952 postseason behind Terry Sawchuk. He didn’t appear in a single game but still had his name placed on the Cup by the Red Wings.
Hall, already decorated as a Cup-champion, finally usurped Sawchuk in 1955, when the latter was traded to the Boston Bruins. His rookie season kicked off Hall’s run of consecutive games. He recorded 30 wins and a .925 save in 70 games – enough to take home the 1955 Calder Trophy. Those numbers grew to 38 wins and a .928 save percentage, both league-bests, in his second season. He was named a first-team all-star – then, a way of being named the top goalie.
Despite that status, the Red Wings aimed to find a way to bring back Sawchuk, prompting one of the NHL’s great blockbusters. Detroit sent Hall and forward Ted Lindsay – a veteran of 14 seasons in Detroit – to the Black Hawks in exchange for Bill Preston, Forbes Kennedy, Johnny Wilson, and Hank Bassen.
Hall’s status as one of the league’s best goaltenders continued through his days in Chicago, though his stat line took an initial hit on a club near the bottom of the standings. Hall recorded the most losses in the league in 1957-58, with 39, but still finished the season fifth in Hart Trophy voting. He reduced that to 29 losses in 1958-59, though did lead the league with 208 goals allowed that year. Despite a rocky first two seasons, Hall climbed back to a save percentage north of .915 in his third year, sparking a run of all-star bids that would stretch through the next 11 seasons, save for one year.
Hall became the core piece of a true turnover in Chicago. He began with the club as a proven 26-year-old playing next to a rookie Bobby Hull and bruisers like Eric Nesterenko. 10 seasons later, he was backing the likes of Stan Mikita, Phil Esposito, and Dennis Hull (and, still, Nesterenko). That run came to a close in the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft, when Chicago protected 28-year-old Denis DeJordy over Hall. The veteran would go to the St. Louis Blues with the third-overall pick, after Sawchuk and Bernie Parent were selected with the first two picks.
The Blues would go on to make the Stanley Cup Finals in their first three seasons, largely thanks to Hall’s continued dominance. That run ended in one of the most iconic moments in NHL history, when legendary defenseman Bobby Orr scored his famous “flying goal” on Hall to clinch the 1970 Stanley Cup in overtime. Hall played one more season but called his career to a close in 1971. He ended with 906 games played, 407 wins, a .918 save percentage, and a 2.50 goals-against-average.
Like many goalies of his era, Hall’s career is remembered with deep admiration. The city of Humboldt, where he began his career, erected a monument to Hall in 2005. He was named a Top 100 hockey player of all-time by The Hockey News in 1998, a status that the league cemented in their inagural top-100 list in 2017. Hall is a true great of the sport who’s name, shutdown ability in an old era, and lack of mask will ring on for many years to come. Pro Hockey Rumors sends our condolences to Hall’s family, friends, and many fans.
Red Wings Activate, Reassign Shai Buium
According to a team announcement, the Detroit Red Wings have activated defensive prospect Shai Buium from the season-opening injured reserve and reassigned him to the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins.
Buium, 22, is the older brother of Vancouver Canucks’ blue liner Zeev Buium. He too played for the University of Denver Pioneers, scoring 14 goals and 75 points in 120 games with a +61 rating. Shai won two National Championships with the Pioneers, whereas Zeev only contributed to one.
The Red Wings, who drafted Buium with the 36th overall pick of the 2021 NHL Draft, signed him to his entry-level contract at the end of the 2023-24 NCAA season. He only registered one game for the Griffins down the stretch.
Last season was his first in the professional circuit, and he performed relatively well. He finished second on the team in scoring among defensemen with two goals and 25 points in 67 games. Unfortunately, he couldn’t help the Griffins achieve a deep playoff run, going scoreless in three games with a -3 rating.
Although Buium hasn’t played yet this season, we know the situation he’ll be returning to in Grand Rapids. The Griffins have been on an unprecedented pace this season, producing a 28-1-1-1 record in 31 games. The next closest team in the overall standings is the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, who are 11 points back of the Griffins with three additional games played.
Because of this, the Griffins can easily afford to slowplay Buium’s return to consistent minutes. The team is flush with good defensemen, sporting veterans Erik Gustafsson and Justin Holl on a nightly basis, assisted by Antti Tuomisto, Ian Mitchell, William Wallinder, and William Lagesson.
Red Wings Reassign Nate Danielson
The Red Wings announced they’ve reassigned center Nate Danielson to AHL Grand Rapids. They’re left with an open roster spot.
Danielson, the ninth overall pick in 2023, is in his second pro season. He didn’t make the opening night roster, in part due to an undisclosed injury that kept him out until late October. When he got his season underway, he racked up a goal and four assists in four games with Grand Rapids before getting his first NHL recall on Nov. 9.
The 21-year-old had remained on the Wings’ roster ever since, but his usage and production have begun to slip. He was a healthy scratch in Monday’s 5-3 win over the Senators for the first time after making 28 straight appearances to start his call-up. He ends his first stint on Detroit’s roster on an 11-game pointless streak, totaling two goals, five assists, seven points, and a -7 rating while averaging 11:03 of ice time per game. The Wings only scored 1.37 goals per 60 with Danielson on the ice at 5-on-5, the second-worst figure among Detroit forwards (min. 100 minutes).
Drafted as a playmaking, two-way center, he needs more time to bake in the AHL before he’s ready to capture the offensive ceiling expected of a top-10 pick. Few were expecting him to spend this much time in the NHL this season anyway after he posted a relatively modest 12-27–39 scoring line in 71 games with Grand Rapids last year.
Veteran farmhand John Leonard‘s emergence and subsequent push up Detroit’s depth chart also played a role in Danielson losing his grip on top-nine minutes. Even if Detroit prefers to carry a full roster when everyone is healthy, keeping Danielson around as a healthy extra instead of letting him push to improve his production in the AHL in the second half does very little for his development.
Red Wings Reportedly Interested In Andrew Mangiapane
According to a new update from David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Oilers have spoken to the Anaheim Ducks, Detroit Red Wings, and Winnipeg Jets regarding Mangiapane. Edmonton is reportedly looking to acquire a “two-way” forward in return.
Meanwhile, similar to Anaheim, the Red Wings make little sense as a trade partner given their deep forward core. Unlike the Ducks, Detroit could theoretically use more offense at even strength, though much of their drawbacks this year have been on defense, save a few players. The Red Wings could offer Mason Appleton, who is also signed through next season, in the hope of more offense from their bottom-six. Additionally, the Red Wings could offer struggling youngster Elmer Söderblom, who has been a healthy scratch on multiple occasions this season, like Mangiapane.
Red Wings Recall John Leonard
This evening the Detroit Red Wings shared that John Leonard has been recalled from AHL Grand Rapids. No corresponding transaction was required.
The forward was sent back down on New Year’s Eve, not due to performance, but more a technical move to avoid waiver requirements. Had he stayed up for longer, the former sixth-round pick would become waiver eligible, where he’d become a surefire claim candidate. In his rehab stint of sorts, Leonard not surprisingly continued his elite AHL production, posting three more points in as many games with the Griffins. Now with seven fewer games in hand, Leonard has been surpassed as the AHL’s top scorer, but he impressively remains sixth despite spending notable time in the NHL now.
Originally earning the call up as a result of icon Patrick Kane‘s injury, Leonard made an immediate impact, with four points in seven games. Many such high scoring AHLers struggle to get top six opportunities at the highest level, but Detroit has made sure to avoid burying theirs. The sniper got to play on the second line with Andrew Copp and Alex DeBrincat, but once Kane returned, he was naturally bumped down, playing over five minutes less, at 7:31.
Plucking such a high level performer from their affiliate is never easy, but even without him, Grand Rapids has continued their all-time great results. They boast an insane 28-1-2 record, with 11 more points than the second-place Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Even if Leonard can establish himself with Detroit as a secondary scorer this season, the team would likely replenish their AHL club with a top prospect such as Nate Danielson or Marco Kasper, who would may benefit from such a role on a dominant team.
Detroit takes on Ottawa tomorrow, where Leonard may re-enter the lineup. An UFA at season’s end, the 27-year-old has remained patient in his efforts to become a full time NHLer for the first time in five years, and at this rate, it hopefully may pay off.
Evening Notes: Hutson, Plante, Sherwood, Leddy
Washington Capitals defense prospect Cole Hutson and Detroit Red Wings prospect Max Plante are both dealing with day-to-day injuries with Team USA at the 2026 World Junior Championship per NHL.com’s Mike Morreale.
Hutson was injuried when a stray puck hit him in the back of the head in Saturday’s game against Switzerland. It was a scary moment that ended with Hutson being carted off the ice and transported to the hospital. Luckily, he left the hospital later that night avoided the worst case scenario. He returned to Team USA’s practice on Monday morning.
Plante hasn’t yet returned to practice after sustaining an injury in the second period of Monday’s game against Slovakia.
Both players sat out of USA’s Wednesday matchup against Team Sweden. The Americans lost that matchup 3-6. Hutson led the 2025 World Juniors in scoring with 11 points in seven games. Plante led the NCAA in scoring before leaving for this tournament. He has 30 points in 20 games. The two are major pillars of the American lineup. Their day-to-day status will be a silver lining as the Americans eye a tough elimination round.
Other notes from around the league:
- The San Jose Sharks have expressed interest in Vancouver Canucks scorer Kiefer Sherwood per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman in a recent interview on the FAN Hockey Show. The 30-year-old winger would be an interesting buy for a Sharks club well outside of playoff contention. He has offered Vancouver a unique mix of goal-scoring and heavy-hitting. Sherwood recorded 19 goals, 40 points, and an NHL record 462 hits in 78 games last season. He is continuing in that line this year, with 16 goals and 184 hits in only 39 games. Those numbers put him on pace for 34 goals and 387 hits in 82 games this season. Bringing in that impact could help San Jose protect their young stars and add a bit more veteran shooting to the mix as they eye cheap additions to the lineup.
- Sticking in San Jose, young defender Shakir Mukhamadullin rotated back into the lineup for Nick Leddy in Wednesday’s shootout win over the Minnesota Wild per Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now. He recorded two shots on goal and no points. The Sharks have rotated between the two defenders over their recent stretch. Mukhamadullin has managed six points, 10 hits, and 21 shot blocks in 21 games. Leddy has three assists and 20 shot blocks in 15 games. The two will continue rotating while San Jose waits on Timothy Liljegren‘s nearing return.
Red Wings Reassign John Leonard
The Red Wings announced Tuesday night that they’ve assigned right winger John Leonard to AHL Grand Rapids. They’re left with an open roster spot.
Leonard’s demotion has little to do with his performance and more to do with roster management. The 27-year-old was recalled on Dec. 14 in the wake of an injury to Patrick Kane. In his first NHL action since March 2024 with the Coyotes, Leonard jumped into Kane’s spot on the second line alongside Andrew Copp and Alex DeBrincat. That line controlled 56.9% of expected goals at 5-on-5 while Leonard scored four points, including two goals, while averaging 12:16 of ice time per game.
However, Leonard’s ice time was slashed after Kane returned to the lineup for Sunday’s win over the Red Wings. He was shifted to fourth-line minutes with youngsters Nate Danielson and Marco Kasper, skating just 7:31.
If Detroit kept Leonard around for much longer, he would need waivers to return to Grand Rapids. He had played seven games and been rostered for 16 days since his recall, meaning he could only play three more games or stay on the roster for 14 days until Detroit would need to risk exposing him to the wire if they attempted to reassign him.
Considering his strong production in his brief NHL look and his electric AHL scoring line this season, the likelihood of him clearing waivers is slim. Grand Rapids, with its 26-1-1 record through 28 games, is on pace for the best regular season in league history. Leonard remains their leading scorer despite spending the last several days on the NHL roster, clicking at nearly a goal per game with a 19-10–29 scoring line in 20 appearances.
At some point, particularly if the Wings decide the struggling Danielson and Kasper could use more development time in the minors, they may recall Leonard and have him stick around for the rest of the season as a valuable top-nine pinch skater. With time on their side, though, they’ll punt that decision until they have to make it.
Latest On Patrick Kane
Red Wings Head Coach Todd McLellan told reporters, including Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press that Patrick Kane will not be back until after Christmas, due to an upper body injury. Kane last played on December 13 against his former Blackhawks, managing to finish the contest despite injury, but has been absent for the team’s last four games since, in which they’ve managed to win three.
Red Wings Activate Mason Appleton
The Detroit Red Wings have activated forward Mason Appleton off of injured reserve. Appleton hasn’t played since sustaining a lower-body injury on November 29th. He has missed nine games since.
Appleton has filled a bottom-six role in his first year with the Detroit Red Wings. He has nine points, 22 penalty minutes, and 28 hits through 26 games. Only two Red Wings forwards – Marco Kasper and Dylan Larkin, who have each played nine more games than Appleton – have been penalized more. Appleton carved out that depth, grinder role across the last four seasons with the Winnipeg Jets. He typically held close to 20 points a season, but grew to 14 goals and 36 points in a career year during the 2023-24 season. Even with that rise, Appleton’s biggest impacts tend to come away from the puck and down the lineup.
Appleton returned to the lineup in Sunday’s overtime win over the Washington Capitals. He recorded one shot and two hits, while serving alongside Elmer Soderblom and Nate Danielson on the fourth-line. The Red Wings will continue to ease Appleton back into his hard-nosed role with four games left on the schedule in 2025. Based on how quick he returns to full health, Appleton could end up back outside of the lineup when winger Patrick Kane returns from a short-term injury.
Blues Claim Jonatan Berggren Off Waivers
The Blues have claimed winger Jonatan Berggren off waivers from the Red Wings, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports. The team moved center Nick Bjugstad to injured reserve to open up a roster spot for him, per Matthew DeFranks of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
When Detroit waived Berggren yesterday, the motivations weren’t clear. They might have been attempting to open a roster spot for Mason Appleton to come off injured reserve, or the Wings simply may have been looking to give the fourth-year Swede a fresh start elsewhere. If they were hoping to sneak him through to the AHL, though, they’ll be disappointed with today’s outcome.
Once a standout who led Sweden’s top junior league in scoring in his draft year, Berggren cracked the Wings’ lineup for the first time in 2022-23. He’s been a fairly efficient depth scorer ever since, averaging a 15-16–31 scoring line per 82 games despite averaging under 13 minutes of ice time, but had seen his role slashed in Detroit this year. He’s been a healthy scratch more times (18) than he’s played (15) and has only suited up once since Thanksgiving.
There’s long been optimism about what Berggren’s production could look like if given an expanded role. He hasn’t seen minor-league action in two years but was one of the AHL’s top scoring presences from 2021-24, recording 49 goals and 127 points in 130 games for Detroit’s affiliate in Grand Rapids.
The 25-year-old may now get that chance on a decimated Blues team that’s missing three of its top four wingers in Dylan Holloway, Jordan Kyrou, and Jimmy Snuggerud. Their injury crunch has recently forced veteran Robby Fabbri into a top-six role after signing a two-way deal just days ago, plus emergency AHL call-ups Hugh McGing and Matt Luff sliding into the bottom six.
Now, their low place in the standings pays some dividends in the form of the third-highest waiver priority in the league. In addition to adding some short-term depth, Berggren could continually slot into a top-nine role for St. Louis down the stretch if they sell off rumored trade chips Brayden Schenn, Mathieu Joseph, and Oskar Sundqvist.
In claiming Berggren, the Blues are on the hook for his $1.825MM cap hit for the remainder of the season. He’ll be a restricted free agent next summer with arbitration rights.
Bjugstad has already missed three games with an upper-body injury, which he sustained seven days ago on Dec. 9 against the Bruins. As such, he’s eligible to come off IR at any time. The 33-year-old pivot has four goals and an assist in 25 games this season.
Image courtesy of Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images.