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NHL

Projecting The Potential Bounce Back Players For 2025-26 Season

September 1, 2025 at 9:07 am CDT | by Josh Cybulski 2 Comments

Every NHL season has its fair share of surprises, whether it’s the underdog team that makes it to the playoffs against all odds or the player bouncing back from a down season who turns back the clock and rediscovers his game. Even proven NHL players can stumble through a season or two and eventually return to their usual level of play, contributing as they are accustomed to. Sometimes injuries cause a player to lose their edge; for others, it could be bad luck, switching teams, or a system that doesn’t suit their skill set. In many cases, talented players find a way to recapture their form, while for others, a prolonged slump can spell the end of their NHL careers. As the 2025–26 season approaches, these players might be ready for a redemption tour.

We’ll start with a couple of goaltenders, the first being Tristan Jarry of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Jarry has struggled over the past two seasons since signing a five-year contract with the Penguins on July 1, 2023. That deal firmly established Jarry as Pittsburgh’s starter for years to come, but he has lost the net in each of the last two seasons. So why is he on the list then? Well, quite frankly, it’s nearly impossible to have a worse season than being demoted to the AHL twice and passing through waivers unclaimed. However, there’s another reason why the 30-year-old is on the list. Jarry returned to the NHL for the final weeks of the season and played well, finishing the year with an 8-4-2 record and two shutouts.

Some folks might point out that Jarry had no expectations when he returned to the Penguins at the end of last season, which is why he played well. However, that is the same situation he will face this season. In fact, there are low to no expectations on the entire team, meaning Jarry shouldn’t feel much pressure coming into the year, which could actually work to his advantage. Anyone who has watched the Penguins closely understands the challenge that is the Tristan Jarry Experience—he has plenty of talent, but tends to melt down whenever the game gets tough. Jarry may do what he did as a rookie and find his form at a time when his career is on the line.

Our next goaltender, St. Louis Blues netminder Jordan Binnington, struggled at the start of last season, posting a .891 SV% in the first month and a half before a coaching change brought in Jim Montgomery. Binnington then turned his season around with a .905 SV% the rest of the year. He will have added motivation to prove he deserves to be the starting goaltender for Team Canada at the upcoming Olympics. Binnington performed extremely well in the 4 Nations Face-Off earlier this year. Still, after Canada general manager Doug Armstrong stated last week that the battle for the goaltending spots will be an open competition, Binnington may have the inside track, but he still needs to prove he belongs. He should also have a strong start to the season.

Moving up to the blueline, only one defenseman makes the list: Rasmus Andersson of the Calgary Flames. Andersson had a challenging 2024-25 season, posting his lowest point total in four years and finishing with a negative shot attempt differential for the first time since the shortened 2020-21 season, with an even-strength CF% of just 49.1. However, Andersson has a history of bouncing back after tough seasons, as he was excellent in the 2021-22 season following the pandemic-shortened year.

There is cause for optimism with Andersson, as he played part of the season with a broken fibula, which likely affected his performance; however, he should be healthy to start the season. He will also be highly motivated this year, as it is his last contract year and unrestricted free agency is approaching. If he can return to his previous level of play, he will secure a lucrative long-term deal. If not, he might face less money or a prove-it contract.

Moving to the forwards, Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews experienced a down year last season, with his goal-scoring production dropping by a significant 36 goals. The 27-year-old still tallied a solid 33 goals and 45 assists in 67 games, but he shot over three percent below his career average and is unlikely to replicate that number in the upcoming season. Matthews wasn’t nearly as dangerous last year as in previous seasons and admitted after the season that he played the entire year through an injury. If he is back to 100% this season, it isn’t unreasonable to expect the three-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner to return to form and compete for the league’s goal-scoring title once again.

Another star who experienced a significant drop in production last season was Vancouver Canucks centre Elias Pettersson. The 26-year-old saw his offensive output nearly halve, dropping from 89 points in 2023-24 to just 45 points last season (15 goals and 30 assists in 64 games). Pettersson had a well-documented rift with his former teammate, J.T. Miller, which likely impacted his performance on the ice considerably. It’s unlikely that Pettersson will match his career highs set in 2022-23 (39 goals and 63 assists in 80 games), but it’s not hard to envisage a scenario where his numbers revert to his career average. The Canucks really need the old Pettersson to re-emerge, as they are committed to another seven seasons at $11.6MM annually.

Sticking with centers, we have Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Malkin isn’t likely to rediscover his game next year at the age of 39; however, he was relatively productive last season, given the cast of characters he played with. Malkin had very little help on the Penguins’ second line last season, playing with Philip Tomasino, Anthony Beauvillier, Cody Glass, and Michael Bunting. Now, he did get a good chunk of time on Sidney Crosby’s wing (and was quite productive), but when tasked with running a line on his own, he wasn’t given much in the way of help. Much of Malkin’s production next season will hinge on who he is set up with; if he gets solid linemates, he will produce. If he is given the likes of Danton Heinen, Connor Dewar, or Kevin Hayes again, it will be a long season.

Malkin is entering what could be his final NHL season, and he will be motivated to prove he still belongs in the league. It’s hard to imagine the Penguins not giving Malkin more support this season, especially since they currently have an improved forward core.

Next, we head to the wing and go west to Los Angeles, where Kings forward Andrei Kuzmenko might be back to his best form. Kuzmenko will likely never shoot 27.3% again, as he did as a rookie in 2022-23, but he played well after being traded to the Kings and should be able to improve on that with a full season in Los Angeles. The 29-year-old finished the year with five goals and 12 assists in 22 regular-season games and then added six points in six playoff games. Kuzmenko isn’t a great skater and won’t provide much defensively, but if he can get pucks to the right spots and regain some of his scoring touch, he could put up solid numbers in Los Angeles next season.

The bounce-back season is generally difficult to predict, but there are usually warning signs that a player’s drop in production is a temporary dip rather than a trend. With Matthews and Pettersson, there are obvious factors at play, but they are young enough to rebound and return to their best. With a veteran like Malkin, regression is always possible, which should make for an interesting season.

Photo by Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

NHL| Pro Hockey Rumors Originals

2 comments

Five Key Stories: 8/25/25 – 8/31/25

August 31, 2025 at 9:00 pm CDT | by Brian La Rose 1 Comment

The month of August is in the books which means training camps are getting a lot closer now.  It was a relatively quiet week around the hockey world which isn’t uncommon for this time of year but there was still some news of note which is recapped in our key stories.

Calling It A Career: Veteran defenseman Tyson Barrie has hung his skates, announcing his retirement at the age of 34.  When asked why now by NHL.com’s Dave McCarthy (Twitter link), Barrie jokingly said it was a decision made in tandem with all 32 teams, suggesting his desire was to keep playing but no offers were coming.  He was once a premier offensive defenseman but had struggled in recent years, only getting into 13 games with Calgary last season.  Barrie ends his career with 508 points in 822 games over 14 NHL seasons, including four 50-point campaigns, a very solid career for a player drafted in the third round by Colorado back in 2009.

A Case Of When, Not If: Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson has been in trade speculation for a while but there remains the possibility of a contract extension as well.  Some cold water was poured on that by team captain Mikael Backlund who indicated that after talking to the blueliner, he’s going to get traded with Andersson hoping that his situation won’t become a distraction.  The 28-year-old has been a top-pairing defender for Calgary for several years now while averaging 42 points over the last four seasons.  That has him in position for a significant increase on his $4.55MM AAV and it appears that contract will be coming from somewhere else.

Still Lots Of Work To Do: Devils defenseman Luke Hughes is one of the top remaining restricted free agents.  Usually, there’s a lot of haggling still to do with money in these situations.  However, on top of that, it appears as if the sides are far apart on term as well.  New Jersey’s preference appears to be either a short-term bridge deal or a long-term one while Hughes would prefer a five-year pact that takes him to free agency at the same time as his brother Jack Hughes.  Notably, he has five RFA-eligible years remaining, meaning such a move wouldn’t gain the Devils any extra years of control which is the exact situation they want to avoid.  Clearly, there’s a long way to go before the two sides reach an agreement.

Carolina Tryouts: The end of August and early September is often colloquially known as PTO season in the NHL.  With guaranteed deals less likely, players will start settling for tryouts with the hopes of landing a full-season contract from there.  The Hurricanes are the latest team to go that route, reaching PTO deals with defenseman Oliver Kylington and winger Givani Smith.  Between injuries and a personal leave, Kylington hasn’t played much in recent years and only got into 19 games between Colorado and Anaheim last season where he had five points in a little over 12 minutes a night of ice time.  He could find himself battling for a reserve spot on the back end.  As for Smith, he got into just 13 NHL games last season, logging barely six minutes a night in those outings while being in the minors the rest of the way.  Speculatively, he’ll be vying for a two-way deal that would have him likely starting in the AHL and hoping for a recall.

Off To Switzerland: One player who looked like he’d be involved in PTO season was veteran blueliner Jan Rutta.  However, instead of going that way, he has decided to play in Switzerland, inking a two-year contract with Geneve-Servette.  He didn’t make his NHL debut until his age-27 back in 2017-18 with Chicago and leaves with 417 outings over parts of eight seasons.  Rutta had 98 points and 479 blocked shots in those outings along with a pair of Stanley Cup victories from his time with Tampa Bay.

Photo courtesy of Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images.

NHL Week In Review

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Why Was The Summer Frenzy Such A Flop?

August 31, 2025 at 8:07 am CDT | by Josh Cybulski 9 Comments

Many NHL fans entered this summer expecting a flurry of transactions as teams anticipated a rise in the NHL salary cap after years of it remaining flat. On the surface, that expectation made sense; aggressive NHL general managers would finally have wiggle room to make bold moves after the pent-up frustration of having to pinch pennies to stay under the threshold.

However, that frenzy never materialized, and this summer was mostly a flop. Most moves were completed by July 1, and the summer blockbusters never materialized. So, where did it all go wrong, and what happened to the supposed bold moves that were expected this summer?

Many folks had expected the additional cap space to lead to trades, as aggressive teams would aim to use that room to strengthen their rosters. However, the extra space actually had the opposite effect, since most teams finally had enough cap room and didn’t need to spend the summer offloading bad contracts. This had been a common theme in previous years, as teams often had to dump one or two poor contracts to stay under the salary cap. This year, only a few cap dump trades have occurred, with defensemen Matt Dumba and Connor Clifton being traded separately to the Penguins.

The mere mention of the Penguins brings up another factor in the summer of silence: most teams entered this summer looking to improve, with the glaring exception being the Penguins, who were the only team firmly in seller territory. Pittsburgh came into the summer with three major trade chips—Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell, and Erik Karlsson. So far, they haven’t been able to move any of them, despite many NHL teams holding salary cap space and being eager to get better.

This restraint is unusual in NHL circles, as general managers often rush to overpay for veterans. This summer, they haven’t been knocking on the Penguins’ door to acquire their available veterans. That could be due to Penguins GM Kyle Dubas holding firm on a high asking price, but with Pittsburgh’s apparent desire to rebuild, one would think there’s a middle ground that could facilitate a trade.

Rust and Rakell are both on bargain contracts with three years remaining, so it’s hard to believe they can’t be moved for close to what’s being asked. Yet, to this point, nothing has happened on the trade front. In fact, only a handful of trades have been completed since July 1, and with training camp just a few weeks away, it will be interesting to see if the pace picks up.

The trading market was clearly tight, and it’s hard to pinpoint exactly why, but there could be a few factors at play besides high asking prices. Teams with cap space, such as San Jose, Chicago, and Utah, clearly weren’t eager to spend big on win-now players and opted to look at free agency for minor improvements or, in the case of Utah, trade for younger pieces.

Meanwhile, teams aiming to make big moves couldn’t because they lacked the assets to trade. The Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche, and Tampa Bay Lightning would have likely loved to get better, but they all lacked first-round picks from previous big trades and just didn’t have the assets to make moves.

Now, speaking of those teams, and you could also include the Dallas Stars here, these contending teams were already close to being “capped out” even with the salary cap increase. Dallas had to make the aforementioned Dumba trade to stay compliant after re-signing their free agents, while Colorado had to send Miles Wood and Charlie Coyle to Columbus. Those teams were eventually able to create salary cap room, but even then, they used it to re-sign their own RFAs and UFAs, as well as find depth on the free agent market, rather than making trades.

Another factor was that no one was surprised by the salary cap increase, as teams had known for a while that it was going to rise after being flat for so long following the COVID-19 pandemic. This led teams and players to assume that the salary cap would go up, which is why players like Nathan MacKinnon, Auston Matthews, and eventually Leon Draisaitl managed to set new records as the NHL’s highest-paid players. Instead of having a bonus room this summer, teams like the Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers had already used the extra space to cover raises they had already given their players. Signing superstars to groundbreaking contracts is not new, but it explains why the summer frenzy never really took off.

Handing out those contracts to stars kept players with their current teams and also contributed to the thin free agent market this summer. Besides Mitch Marner and Nikolaj Ehlers, most stars who were potential UFAs stayed with their former clubs rather than testing the market. This meant that teams with cap space didn’t spend large just for the sake of spending; instead, they chose to hold onto their cap space for future moves or to be aggressive in 2026 free agency when bigger names might be available.

Finally, some teams may have learned from their mistakes during the flat salary cap era. There’s an old saying that NHL general managers tend to make more errors on July 1st than at any other time of the year, which might have prompted GMs to think more carefully about their moves to avoid repeating those mistakes.

Dubas in Pittsburgh serves as a prime example, as his decisions on July 1st, 2023, have essentially saddled the Penguins with multiple bad contracts (Tristan Jarry, Ryan Graves, and Noel Acciari) for years to come. The Ottawa Senators are under new management, but even they handed out an ill-advised two-year $8MM deal to David Perron last year that they might want to redo. It appears that at least for this summer, GMs chose to be cautious with their new cap space, and it will be interesting to see if they maintain that careful approach into the NHL Trade Deadline—especially if the race for playoff spots remains tight and many teams stay in the hunt.

To summarize, there wasn’t just one reason why this summer was a flop for fans hoping for a frenzy. A weak UFA class, cautious management, and money being spent on retaining players ultimately derailed those plans. The NHL Entry Draft was busy, as were moves around July 1st, but since then, it’s been a quiet summer. The coming weeks might not bring much more news until teams start playing, injuries happen, or players don’t meet expectations, which could put teams in a tough spot, especially if they fall short of expectations.

Photo by Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

NHL| Pro Hockey Rumors Originals

9 comments

Wild Could Reach $16MM Per Year On Kirill Kaprizov Extension

August 29, 2025 at 6:04 pm CDT | by Gabriel Foley 14 Comments

All signs point towards Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid breaking the NHL’s record for richest contract when he signs his next contract. The Minnesota Wild will be the only team to give Edmonton a run for their money, as they entertain signing superstar winger Kirill Kaprizov to his own contract extension. In their effort to lock up a player capable of 50-goal and 60-assist seasons, Minnesota could end up paying as much as $16MM per season, per Michael Russo of The Athletic on his ’Worst Seats In The House’ podcast. Russo and co-host Anthony LaPanta agreed that Kaprizov will likely get the contract, and bonus structure, of his choosing so long as the deal is at least five years long.

On the surface, Kaprizov’s stat line is hard to compare to the league’s top echelon. His career-high in scoring sits at 108 points – split between 47 goals and 61 assists in 81 games of the 2021-22 season. He has continued to rival more than 45 goals and 100-point scoring pace over the last three seasons, but has missed routine ice time to a string of injuries. His 2024-25 campaign was cut in half by a lower-body injury that required surgery in January. He finished the year with 25 goals and 56 points – marks that would have put him on pace for a career-high 50 goals and 112 points over a full year.

Had Kaprizov reached those scoring heights this season, he would have become just the 6th player since 2000 to record at least 50 goals and 60 assists in one season. That feat would have put him in company with elite peers, including McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Nathan MacKinnon – who have each held the title of highest-paid player at some point in their career. It’s that projection that Minnesota will lean on when negotiating with Kaprizov. There’s simply no arguing his prowess when at full health. Few NHL wingers command play on both ends of the ice quite like Kaprizov, and there’s no doubt that his presence alone is enough to swing Minnesota’s moneyline. Across his 319-game career, Kaprizov has averaged 48 goals and 99 points per 82 games played.

Even with an undeniable superstar ability, it will be tough for Minnesota to award Kaprizov a deal that takes him to age-35 or 36 after missing 63 games over the last three seasons combined – even if he has averaged 102-points per-82 games over those seasons. Minnesota will be stuck between wanting to pave way for their star to stick around, and not biting off more than they can chew. Minnesota will also need to negotiate a new deal with starting goaltender Filip Gustavsson before next summer. Gustavsson could reel in as much as $6.5MM, and has already expressed interest in signing an extension.

The culmination of multiple top contracts set to expire will make Wild general manager Bill Guerin one to watch closely over the next few months. Minnesota is in a stable spot under Guerin’s guide – with a roster that’s seemingly set to stick together for years to come. But the team hasn’t made it past the first round of the postseason since 2015. Kaprizov is a premier talent, and the Wild could face another wrinkle in negotiations should he speculate about the team’s long-term Stanley Cup odds. Young, high-upside forwards like Matt Boldy and Marco Rossi – and a season of good health for both Kaprizov and the Wild as a whole – could go far in convincing the Russian phenom to lock up a career in Minnesota.

Photo courtesy of Nick Wosika-Imagn Images.

Minnesota Wild| NHL| Newsstand Kirill Kaprizov

14 comments

Poll: Who Is The Early Favorite To Win The 2026 Calder Trophy?

August 29, 2025 at 3:10 pm CDT | by Gabriel Foley 12 Comments

The hockey world was treated to a true gift by the race for the 2025 Calder Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL’s top rookie. The class lived up to years of expectations, headlined by Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson tying Larry Murphy for the most assists by a rookie defender. He took home the Calder ahead of San Jose Sharks top center Macklin Celebrini and Calgary Flames starting goaltender Dustin Wolf – who both managed star-studded and historic performances of their own. The heap of talent left players who could have won the trophy outright in seemingly any other year – options like 26-goal-scorer Matvei Michkov. A rookie class so strong will be impossible to follow up, but the group in 2025-26 seem to have a great chance to come close.

Early predictions will have the Calder Trophy staying put through in 2026. The Canadiens are set to award star rookie Ivan Demidov with his first NHL season, after he led KHL super-club SKA St. Petersburg with in scoring with 49 points in 62 games last season. He was a sheer force at Russia’s top level, showing a pace, strength, and finesse that was unmatched by his competition. Demidov finished the year with five points in six Gagarin Cup Playoff matchups, before scoring four points in his first seven games with Montreal.

Demidov is now set to assume a key role in the Canadiens’ lineup. It’s hard to imagine he won’t play true top-line minutes. He offers the in-tight skill and low-zone grit to perfectly complement spot-shooter Cole Caufield and playmaking, two-way center Nick Suzuki. The stars will be Demidov’s ceiling if he gets a full year to such talented players. He nearly recorded a 20-30-50 season in the KHL – a league often lauded as near-equal to the NHL. That standing could set him up for 60, or even 70, points in his first year with Montreal.

It will be a tight race to catch up to, and overcome, Demidov. A slew of star collegiate players signed their entry-level contracts at the end of the season, and could easily be set for major minutes of their own. Sam Rinzel fills a need for right-shot defense for the Blackhawks and Oliver Moore seemed to bring his slick-passing to Chicago, Gabe Perreault looked like a strong utility player with the New York Rangers, and Ryan Leonard showed an ability to match the Washington Capitals’ pace.

And yet, all four could be outdone by Minnesota Wild defenseman Zeev Buium, who managed an impressive 98 points in 83 games at the University of Denver. He appeared in four Stanley Cup Playoff games, but only managed one assist. Also atop the defense charts is top KHL defender Alexander Nikishin, who ended a stalemate when he finally joined the Carolina Hurricanes for the playoffs. Nikishin ranked second on SKA St. Petersburg with 46 points in 61 games, and matched Buium’s postseason statline.

Even still, the OHL could emerge. Sam Dickinson served as the star of the 2025 Memorial Cup-winning London Knights, and seems well-primed for a big role with the desolate San Jose Sharks. He could be joined by the reigning ’OHL Player of the Year’ Michael Misa, who managed an incredible 62 goals and 134 points in 65 OHL games last season. Misa was drafted second in this year’s class, with New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer the only selection before him. The smooth-moving, sharp-eyed Schaefer could be another Calder candidate, though he hasn’t played a season-game since sustaining a broken collarbone during the World Junior Championships last December.

It will be hard for any player to rival the record-breaking heights that Hutson reached last season, but the list of candidates looking to follow him up seems endless. Any one of the aforementioned players could find their way into a star role, or the award could go to someone entirely different – like 2025 Hobey Baker Award-winner and Edmonton Oilers winger Isaac Howard.

With so much talent on the board, who do you think will win the 2026 Calder Trophy? If you choose ’Other’, comment your pick below!

Mobile users click here to vote.

Carolina Hurricanes| Chicago Blackhawks| Edmonton Oilers| Minnesota Wild| Montreal Canadiens| NHL| New York Islanders| New York Rangers| Players| San Jose Sharks| Washington Capitals Alexander Nikishin| Gabe Perreault| Isaac Howard| Ivan Demidov| Matthew Schaefer| Michael Misa| Oliver Moore| Ryan Leonard| Sam Dickinson| Zeev Buium

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Hurricanes Sign Oliver Kylington, Givani Smith To Professional Tryouts

August 27, 2025 at 4:49 pm CDT | by Gabriel Foley Leave a Comment

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed forward Givani Smith and defenseman Oliver Kylington to professional tryouts. Both players appeared in NHL games last season.

Kylington’s NHL action was split between the Colorado Avalanche and Anaheim Ducks. He only totaled 19 games, and five points, on the year after sustaining a string of injuries throughout the 2024-25 season. Kylington stepped away from the NHL from October 2022 through January 2024 to focus on his mental health. He returned for 33 games of the Calgary Flames’ 2023-24 season and won the 2024 Bill Masterton Trophy.

Kylington is now 28 and looking to reinstate his spot in the NHL. He bounced back and forth between the major and minor leagues from 2018 to 2021 – but broke out with 31 points in 73 games of the Flames’ 2021-22 season. At his best, he looked like a smooth-moving, two-way defenseman capable of holding both blue-lines. That talent could be enough to fill the in-between role vacated by Scott Morrow when he was traded to the Rangers in June. First, Kylington will need to prove he can still play at NHL pace.

Meanwhile, Smith will look to flex his might as a bottom-of-the-lineup bruiser. He has fluctuated between the NHL and AHL for the last few seasons, and averaged at least one penalty minute per game everywhere he goes. Last season, Smith recorded no scoring and 18 PIMs in 13 NHL games, and three points and 21 PIMs in 16 AHL games. Those performances brought his career totals up to 22 points and 268 PIMs in 168 NHL games, and 55 points and 287 PIMs in 167 AHL games. He could be a candidate for an AHL contract, if he doesn’t earn a deal with the Hurricanes out of camp.

Carolina Hurricanes| NHL| Players| Transactions Givani Smith| Oliver Kylington

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Matthew Caldwell, Shawn Thornton Leave Panthers For NBA

August 27, 2025 at 3:29 pm CDT | by Gabriel Foley 8 Comments

Florida Panthers’ team president and CEO Matthew Caldwell is set to leave the organization after 11 years to become the CEO of the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx, per David Dwork of The Hockey News. The report was confirmed by Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press. Additionally, former NHL pro Shawn Thornton announced he will step down from his role as Florida’s Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) to join the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks as a Senior Vice President and Chief Partnership Officer. Thornton joined Florida’s executive staff in 2017.

These moves stand as two major changes to the Panthers’ top level of business management. Caldwell joined the Panthers in 2014, amid some of their darkest years. He quickly took to a litany of responsibilities, and earned a promotion from Chief Operating Officer (COO) to CEO after just two years with the organization. He was 36 at the time. In the boosted role, Caldwell was able to take on efforts that helped to reshape the Panthers from an NHL bottom-dweller to a modern dynasty.

Caldwell played an instrumental role in the formation of Florida’s lauded front office and coaching staff. He supported the team to a franchise record in ticket sales, TV viewership, and sponsorship revenue and led the hiring of then-rookie general manager Bill Zito. Caldwell also supported the sale of local media rights to Bally Sports in 2022, Florida’s arena naming rights to Amerant Bank in 2023, and additional media sales to Scripps Sports in 2024. The trio of deals expanded coverage of Panthers hockey across Florida.

Success in the Sunshine State was only a small part of Caldwell’s career. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and served five years as a Captain in the U.S. Army. During that time, he oversaw combat operations in Iraq, peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo, and soldier training in Germany. He received numerous accolades for that service. Caldwell turned towards a career on Wall Street after his military duty concluded, taking on the role of Vice President with Goldman Sachs. He also attended the Northwestern University School of Law for his J.D. and MBA degrees. The Panthers cover Caldwell’s accomplishments more in depth on their website.

Now, Caldwell will join the Timberwolves and Lynx on the heels of their sale to Marc Lore and former MLB legend Alex Rodrigues. In doing so, he will continue to sustain an illustrious career that Panthers Owner Vincent Viola knows they won’t be able to replace. Viola told the Associated Press:

There are very few opportunities I would advise him to pursue, but working with Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore on a global platform like the NBA is at the top of that list… Matt’s impact on our organization has been immeasurable and he leaves with our respect and gratitude

On top of that weight, the Panthers will also lose former bruiser turned proficient executive Shawn Thornton. Thornton played through 14 years and 705 games in the NHL. He was among the very last true enforcers in the NHL, and racked up an incredible 1,103 penalty minutes over the course of his career. Over his full career, Thornton averaged 12 points and 128 penalty minutes per 82 games played.

Thornton retired as a member of the Florida Panthers in 2017, at the age of 39, and quickly took to a front office role. His business career began as a Senior Vice President of Business Operations – filling a litany of roles, including heading marketing, sponsorships, broadcasting, game presentation, and community relations. He was promoted to the team’s Chief Commercial Officer in 2020, then to CRO in 2022.

Thornton has been a pillar of growth since the onset of his post-playing career. In addition to his role with the Panthers, he also runs the Shawn Thornton Foundation – geared towards raising funding for life-threatening diseases, including Parkinson’s Disease. That organization was formed in 2013.

Florida will now bear the burden of filling two major roles in their executive offices. It will be a tough task, though one the organization seems well set up for after winning back-to-back Stanley Cups and appearing in three-straight Stanley Cup Finals. They’re a true NHL dynasty, and averaged the fifth-most attendance in the league last season according to HockeyDB. This news will mark turnover and new opportunity for a club in the midst of their peak.

Photo courtesy of Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports.

Florida Panthers| NHL| Newsstand Shawn Thornton

8 comments

Flames Seem Set To Trade Rasmus Andersson, Per Teammate

August 27, 2025 at 11:50 am CDT | by Gabriel Foley 18 Comments

The trade rumors surrounding Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson are reaching a peak as the 2025-26 season rolls around. Flames centerman Mikael Backlund said that Andersson seems to be clearly headed for a change of teams during the NHL’s European Media Tour, as captured by Micahel Russo of The Athletic. Backlund went into depth on the divide between Calgary and the top-pair defenseman, sharing that the two sides are at ends on what a new contract should look like. Andersson will enter unrestricted-free agency next summer, and is looking for a boost over his current $4.55MM cap hit, while the Flames are looking for a value deal. Backlund told Russo:

Yeah, [Andersson is] getting traded. It’s obvious… I talked to him, too, and he doesn’t want to be a distraction… It’s too bad that it’s come to this. I don’t think that they’re close to getting an agreement, but you never know. Things could change.

Backlund seems among the most informed when it comes to changes within the Calgary organization. He’s spent all 1,066 games, and 17 seasons, of his NHL career in a Flames jersey. The Flames named Backlund team captain in 2023, after five years of serving as an alternate captain. Andersson has also served as an assistant captain as far back as 2022, cementing a clear connection between the two teammates.

Backlund’s comments ring loud as a result. Andersson has appeared to be the odd-man-left ever since general manager Craig Conroy completed a fire sale of trades in 2023 and 2024. The flurry moved out defenders Chris Tanev, Nikita Zadorov, and Noah Hanifin – leaving Andersson as the only long-term Flame left on the team’s blue-line. He has since been supported by veteran MacKenzie Weegar and emerging pro Kevin Bahl, playing ahead of an otherwise very fluid Calgary defense.

This news spells even more changes for the Flames’ defense. There will be no preparing for losing a player of Andersson’s caliber, even despite rumors swirling through the last few seasons. He has emerged as a true top-pair offensive-defenseman, capable of driving play and sustaining offensive chances for his side, even amid poor defensive play. Andersson tied his career-high of 11 goals this past season, to go along with 31 points on the full year. It was a slight dip from his scoring totals over the last few year. He previously scored 50 points in the 2021-22 season, 49 points in 2022-23, and 39 points in 2023-24.

These comments will once again spark what’s been an aggressive trade market for Andersson. Calgary has fielded interest from across the NHL, with teams like the Columbus Blue Jackets and Carolina Hurricanes previously emerging as front-runners. There has also been rumors of a fit with Pacific Division clubs like the Los Angeles Kings or Vegas Golden Knights, should the Flames be comfortable with moving Andersson to a nearby foe. Vegas will notably be without top defender Alex Pietrangelo next season due to injury, creating a clear hole in their lineup. The Golden Knights would need to find roughly $1MM in cap space to afford Andersson’s cap hit, assuming Calgary would be willing to retain a maximum 50-percent.

Calgary Flames| NHL| Newsstand Mikael Backlund| Rasmus Andersson

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Hurricanes Sign Ivan Ryabkin To Entry-Level Contract

August 27, 2025 at 9:22 am CDT | by Gabriel Foley Leave a Comment

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed 2025 second-round pick Ivan Ryabkin to a three-year, entry-level contract. The deal carries $235K in signing bonuses and a $85K salary at the AHL level. The NHL salary grows each year – from $775K, to $850K, to $895K. Ryabkin is expected to delay the start of the contract by moving to the QMJHL’s Charlottetown Islanders this season, though rumors suggest he could make a push for the AHL roster out of training camp, per Elite Prospects’ Cam Robinson.

Ryabkin was once lauded as the top Russian in the 2007 birth year, and even considered a potential top-20 prospect after his age-17 season. That standing took a tumble over the course of his draft season, as concerns over his workout regiment and discipline grew with Russian club Moscow Dynamo. The resulting split prompted Ryabkin to the move to the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks in January, after he scored just one goal and 12 points in 15 MHL games.

The mid-season move proved instantly profitable for both Ryabkin and Muskegon. The high-volume winger totaled 26 goals, 46 points, and 100 penalty minutes over a combined 41 games in the USHL. His scoring presence was the final heave that pushed Muskegon to their first Clark Cup Championship in franchise history. Ryabkin filled the sniper role to a tee, perfectly complimenting high-energy playmaker Tynan Lawrence and nifty power-forward Vaclav Nestrasil Jr..

News of his first NHL contract will make Ryabkin a must-watch player as training camps roll around. He still measures at a hefty 5-foot-11, 205-pounds, and stood out as an unpoised hitter on what was a heavily penalized Lumberjacks lineup. His scoring prowess at the junior level is unquestioned, but the 2025-26 season will be about proving his competition, drive, and level-headedness both on and off of the ice. Breaking into the minor-leagues at 19 would go a long way towards showing that growth. Ryabkin made his debut in the KHL and VHL – Russia’s top pro leagues – early into the 2024-25 season.

Carolina Hurricanes| NHL| Prospects| QMJHL| Transactions| USHL Ivan Ryabkin

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Prospect Notes: Behrens, Wassilyn, Bourque

August 25, 2025 at 3:45 pm CDT | by Gabriel Foley Leave a Comment

The Colorado Avalanche have received a bit of good news in the quietest days of summer. Defense prospect Sean Behrens shared that he’s been fully cleared to participate in the team’s rookie tournament with Meghan Angley of Guerilla Sports. Behrens missed all but two games of last season after sustaining a knee injury in an October practice scrimmage. The first-year pro only suited up for the very first, and very final, game of the Colorado Eagles’ season.

Hopes were high for Behrens prior to his season-ending injury. He seemed well set for a strong push into pros after finishing a three-year stay at the University of Denver with 31 points in 44 games, and a National Championship win, in the 2023-24 season. Behrens was a core part of the title-winning Pioneers, where he often found himself playing alongside or directly behind top prospect Zeev Buium. He showed off all of the sharp stickhandling and quick skating needed to keep the Pioneers offense running with Buium off the ice, and earned the NCHC’s ’Defenseman Of The Year’ award as a result. Behrens now faces an uphill battle adjusting his slight, 5-foot-10 frame to the pro level. He’s made strong impacts in both junior and college hockey, and could earn a top role with the Eagles with a quick return.. He’ll be a name for fans to watch – though likely one that the Avalanche take their time with – as he looks forward to a healthy season.

Other notes from around the prospect world:

  • Top 2026 NHL Draft prospect Braidy Wassilyn will indeed return to the OHL’s Niagara Ice Dogs next season, then attend Boston University in the 2026-27 season, shares Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News. Kennedy mentions that Wassilyn’s return to juniors wasn’t previously guaranteed. This news puts the cherry on top of a productive summer for Niagara. Wassilyn scored 39 points in 62 games of his rookie OHL season last year. He rivaled the team’s top-six by the end of the season, profiling as a sharp and mobile playmaker with a heavy, 200-pound frame. He’ll return to great company in Niagara – set to play alongside fellow top 2026 draft prospect Ryan Roobroeck, Winnipeg Jets prospect Kevin He, and Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Ethan Czata.
  • Dallas Stars forward Mavrik Bourque will now be represented by agent Olivier Fortier, Vice President of Wasserman Hockey, per PuckPedia. Borque just wrapped up his rookie season in the NHL with 11 goals and 25 points in 73 games. It was a relatively calm performance, after Bourque won the AHL’s MVP award with 77 points in 71 games of the 2023-24 season. He did maintain a positive plus-minus and consistent lineup role through his first NHL season, even playing second-line minutes through certain points in the year. He’ll face the task of now cementing a spot up the lineup, and discovering his scoring prowess, ahead of restricted-free agency next summer.

2026 NHL Draft| AHL| Colorado Avalanche| Dallas Stars| Free Agency| Injury| NHL| OHL Braidy Wassilyn| Mavrik Bourque| Sean Behrens

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