Headlines

Go To MLB Trade Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Flyers Cut Three Players From Training Camp

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

Similar to the Buffalo Sabres’ announcement this morning, the Philadelphia Flyers have trimmed their training camp roster by three players. According to a public release from the Flyers, the team has reassigned forward Nathan Quinn, defenseman Austin Moline, and netminder Joe Costanzo to their respective junior organizations.

Quinn, 18, was drafted with the 164th overall pick by the Flyers in this summer’s draft. He has spent the last two years with the QMJHL’s Québec Remparts, scoring 24 goals and 55 points in 88 games with a -16 rating, highlighted by a 17-goal, 46-point output last year. Although he will play for Remparts again this season, he has already committed to Northeastern University for the 2026-27 campaign.

Moline was drafted a round lower than Quinn and a year earlier. The 19-year-old native of Las Vegas, NV, spent last season with the USHL’s Madison Capitals, scoring one goal and 21 points in 59 games with a +39 rating. Starting his development with the infamous Shattuck St. Mary’s program, the 6’5″ blue liner will again play for the Capitals this year, and has yet to commit to an NCAA program.

Meanwhile, Costanzo, 20, is the only one in the trio not to have been drafted by Philadelphia, and will leave camp without a professional contract. He has spent the last four years with the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires, producing a 75-49-6 record in 147 games with a .882 SV% and 3.76 GAA. Since he will age out of the OHL at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, Costanzo will likely have to settle on an ECHL or AHL contract or ATO should he wish to continue his playing career.

Snapshots: Shero, Pinto, Eagles

at CDT | by 4 Comments

Over the past five months, the hockey world has mourned the passing of longtime NHL executive Ray Shero. Today, the NHL honored Shero and his legacy by posthumously awarding him the Lester Patrick Trophy, given annually to players, executives, officials, or other hockey personnel for outstanding service to ice hockey in the United States.

It’s not the first time the award has been bestowed upon the Shero family. In 1980, alongside the former owner of the Philadelphia Flyers, Ed Snider, and the 1980 U.S. Men’s Olympic Ice Hockey team, Ray’s father, Fred (then coach of the New York Rangers), was also given the award.

Outside of having his name engraved on the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Shero crafted a lengthy legacy representing the United States in international contests. As noted in the NHL’s announcement, Shero helped create 13 U.S. teams for the IIHF World Championships and was an Associate General Manager for the U.S. Men’s Olympic Team in 2014.

Other snapshots:

  • Though much of the speculation regarding an extension has been outlined by General Manager Steve Staios, forward Shane Pinto finally spoke about the negotiations with the Ottawa Senators. According to TSN’s Bruce Garrioch, Pinto remained hopeful that a new deal would be reached, but doesn’t care to negotiate during the season, saying, “I don’t want to be a distraction.” The soon-to-be 25-year-old is coming off a quality season, scoring 21 goals and 37 points in 70 games.
  • The AHL’s Colorado Eagles, primary affiliate of the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche, have reportedly signed a 40-year lease with the City of Greeley for a new stadium. The team currently plays its home games at Blue Arena in Loveland, CO, having done so for the last 22 years. The new location in Greeley will be less accessible to fans from Denver, as it is nearly 20 miles east of I-25.

Yegor Chinakhov Open To Staying With Blue Jackets

at CDT | by 3 Comments

Two months after requesting a trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets, it appears forward Yegor Chinakhov is changing his tune. According to Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers, after yesterday’s practice, Chinakhov stated he was open to staying in Columbus after coming to an understanding with head coach Dean Evason.

Although Chinakhov and his representation haven’t formally stated that they’ve rescinded his trade request, it’s quite literally the opposite of what he said in mid-July. Announcing his trade request, Chinakhov said, “I had some misunderstandings with the coach during the season. Now I would be glad to have a trade. I would like to move to a different location. Will I return to Russia? As long as I can play in the NHL, I will keep developing here.”

Though he never elaborated on the misunderstandings, PHR’s Josh Erickson wrote at the time, “[B]ut his usage down the stretch likely has a lot to do with it. Chinakhov averaged a career-high 15:43 of ice time per game last season but became a frequent healthy scratch at the tail end of the campaign, sitting out 12 of the Jackets’ final 13 games.”

There’s no question the former first-round pick hasn’t lived up to expectations in Columbus yet. Since becoming a regular player for the team in the 2021-22 campaign, Chinakhov has recorded 34 goals and 71 points in 175 games in a Blue Jackets sweater, maxing out with a 16-goal, 29-point campaign in 2023-24.

Unless his play on the defensive side of the puck shows improvement, Chinakhov is best utilized in a top-six role, with linemates having the ability to carry a line. Unfortunately for him, after the addition of Charlie Coyle and with Boone Jenner being healthy to start the year on time, it’s not clear Chinakhov will have that opportunity out of the gate.

Clearly, as Chinakhov stated yesterday, he and Evason have arranged a palatable compromise. Whether his lack of ice time in even-strength play is offset by additional time on the power play, or Chinakhov dialing back his own expectations, it appears that he’ll start the year in a Blue Jackets uniform.

Injury Notes: Wild, Dorwart, Huberdeau

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

During today’s scrimmage in the Minnesota Wild’s training camp, Michael Russo of The Athletic provided updates on a few injuries to the Wild’s roster. Notably, Russo reported that Nico Sturm was removed for precautionary reasons, and Mats Zuccarello and Jonas Brodin participated in a light shootaround before the scrimmage.

Although he was originally expected to return for the team’s practice this afternoon, Russo later reported that Sturm was absent, though there are no concerns about his long-term availability. The same can’t be said for the latter two mentions.

There’s no surprise with Brodin’s absence from the skates, given that he’s expected to miss the start of the regular season due to offseason upper-body surgery. Meanwhile, reports from yesterday indicated that Zuccarello could also miss the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign. While specific details about the injury have not been disclosed, Russo indicated in his report that more information will be available after Zuccarello has a longer appointment with the team’s medical staff.

Other injury updates from around the league:

  • The Philadelphia Flyers announced that forward prospect Karsen Dorwart would miss the next few days due to an upper-body injury. The 23-year-old was signed out of Michigan State University as an undrafted free agent with the Flyers last year, appearing in five games down the final stretch of the regular season. Despite debuting in the NHL already, Dorwart’s spot on Philadelphia’s opening night roster was not set in stone, and he’ll have to make the most of his training camp after returning from injury.
  • Earlier this morning, Sportsnet’s Pat Steinberg reported, and later confirmed by the Calgary Flames, that Jonathan Huberdeau would miss the second day of training camp for maintenance. There are no present injury concerns surrounding Huberdeau, and it’s not uncommon for established veterans to take maintenance days throughout training camp.

Alexander Kerfoot Out Week-To-Week With Lower-Body Injury

at CDT | by 1 Comment

The Utah Mammoth have now lost another bottom-six forward due to injury for the next couple of weeks. A few days after sharing that Liam O’Brien is out with a lower-body injury, the Mammoth announced this morning that Alexander Kerfoot is also out with a lower-body injury, on the same recovery timeline.

Unlike O’Brien, Kerfoot comes with more offensive punch, though his production dipped considerably last season. The first year after signing a two-year, $7MM contract with the now-defunct Arizona Coyotes, Kerfoot scored 13 goals and 45 points in 82 games, averaging 17:26 of ice time in a second-line role.

After the Utah Hockey Club was established, the organization graduated several high-level prospects, which pushed Kerfoot to a third-line role last year. His offensive production decreased alongside his reduced ice time, finishing the season with 11 goals and 28 points in 81 games, while averaging 15:15 of ice time per night.

Still, there were a few reasons for optimism. Although he didn’t spend the entire campaign down the middle, Kerfoot finished with a 52.5% success rate in the faceoff dot over 493 draws, the second-highest mark of his career. Furthermore, he concluded the 2025-26 season with a 52.3% CorsiFor% at even strength, representing the best output of his career.

There’s no indication at this time that O’Brien or Kerfoot’s injuries will cut into their availability for the regular season. Still, should any more players succumb to multi-week injuries, the Mammoth’s depth could be tested out of the gate.

Latest On Evgeni Malkin’s Future With Penguins

at CDT | by 17 Comments

Although much has been made of Sidney Crosby’s future with the Pittsburgh Penguins over the last few weeks, Evgeni Malkin remains the most pressing issue. The 19-year veteran is entering the final year of his four-year, $24.4MM contract with the Penguins, and has made few indications regarding the next chapter of his playing career.

Speaking with reporters this morning, Malkin appeared to hedge his bets when it comes to his staying in Pittsburgh. He originally stated a desire to play an additional year with the Penguins beyond the 2025-26 season. Still, he wants to finish his career in Pittsburgh regardless (via Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette).

However, when pressed about his no-movement clause, Malkin pointed to Brad Marchand’s example from last year, when he used his modified no-trade clause to join the Florida Panthers and win the second Stanley Cup of his career. Per NHL correspondent Wes Crosby, Malkin said, “It’s hard, you know? But again, we see a story, like, with Brad Marchand. Looking good, you know? But again, if the team trades you and you (don’t) win the Cup, it’s like a little bit weird, too, you know?”

By acknowledging his desire to stay with Pittsburgh beyond the 2025-26 campaign, Malkin has put the ball back in Kyle Dubas’s court. In June, two reports from Josh Yohe of The Athletic and the Penguins’ own Josh Getzoff indicated that the team has little desire to offer Malkin a new contract, regardless of his play in the upcoming season.

Those reports led many to believe that Malkin and his representation would begin looking at different options (likely around the Olympic break) or retire next summer. Unlike Marchand, Malkin’s no-movement clause means he’ll have full control over whether Pittsburgh trades him by this year’s trade deadline.

Regardless, Malkin would immediately become one of the best center options available at the deadline, with plenty of competitive teams having a glaring hole on the second line. Despite the team missing the postseason the past three years, Malkin has remained productive, recording 70 goals and 200 points in 232 games, averaging 18:21 of ice time.

Furthermore, Malkin has been a quality scorer in the playoffs, even though the Penguins haven’t reached beyond the second round since their most recent Stanley Cup championship in 2017. From 2018 to 2022, Malkin scored nine goals and 23 points in 28 playoff games.

The expectation is that the situation will play out over the regular season. Given the state of the roster, there’s little reason to keep Malkin this season or next. Still, much like Crosby, Pittsburgh’s top brass has typically honored the wishes of its franchise icons.

Photo courtesy of Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images.

Morning Notes: Hart, van Riemsdyk, Laughton

at CDT | by 11 Comments

After stating their intent to place netminder Connor Ingram on waivers, speculation arose whether the Utah Mammoth would have a competition for their backup role between Vítek Vaněček, Jaxson Stauber, and Matt Villalta, or pursue the recently reinstated Carter Hart once he’s eligible to sign on October 15th. We now know it won’t be the latter.

On yesterday’s edition of The Chris Johnston Show with TSN’s Chris Johnston, the insider indicated that although the Mammoth had internal conversations regarding Hart, it’s not something they’ll be pursuing over the next few weeks. Multiple reports suggest that Hart’s preference is to sign with a U.S.-based franchise, and the list of hypothetical options has continued to shrink.

Outside of Ingram and Karel Vejmelka, Vaněček is the only other netminder in Utah signed on a one-way contract. Still, he may not be a lock quite yet after a disastrous 2024-25 campaign. Split between the San Jose Sharks and Florida Panthers, Vaněček managed a 5-14-4 record in 25 games with a .884 SV%, 3.62 GAA, and -11.5 Goals Saved Above Average.

Additional morning notes:

  • The Washington Capitals are without defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk today, and could be for the next few days. According to Sammi Silber of DC Backcheck, van Riemsdyk will miss today’s skate due to personal matters, most likely correlated to him and his wife expecting a child soon. The exciting news is likely the reason behind his older brother, James van Riemsdyk, being absent from the Detroit Red Wings’ training camp yesterday.
  • Last trade deadline, the Toronto Maple Leafs sent a 2027 first-round pick to the Philadelphia Flyers for center Scott Laughton, only to see the veteran score two goals and four points in 20 games, with another two assists in 13 playoff contests. In a recent interview with David Alter of The Hockey News, Laughton recognized his poor play last season and is coming into the 2025-26 campaign more inspired to contribute, saying, “I need to be able to contribute offensively and create that way and help out some of those top guys.“

Sabres Cut Three Players From Training Camp

at CDT | by 4 Comments

Moving quickly toward getting their team down the required 23-man roster, the Buffalo Sabres have returned three prospects to their respective junior programs after the first day of training camp. The Sabres announced that defensemen Simon-Pier Brunet and David Bedkowski, and netminder Samuel Meloche have been cut from the roster.

Brunet will return to the QMJHL’s Victoriaville Tigres after spending the last three years with the Drummondville Voltigeurs. Buffalo selected the 19-year-old with the 123rd overall pick of the 2024 NHL Draft, and he scored eight goals and 32 points in 60 games with a +10 rating last season with the Voltigeurs. The Sabres likely expect a slow-paced development, given that Brunet has already committed to the NCAA’s Merrimack College for the 2026-27 season.

Meanwhile, Bedkowski could take even longer to reach the NHL, if he does. The 6’5″, 220lbs, 18-year-old blue liner spent last year with the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack, scoring three goals and seven points in 30 games with a whopping 73 PIMs. The former 71st overall selection of the 2025 NHL Draft makes his presence known by his high-level physical play and his ability to fight.

Like Brunet, Meloche is another QMJHL product, this time with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, who has also committed to an NCAA program for the 2026-27 season. Last season, as the Huskies’ starter, Meloche recorded a 30-14-6 record in 51 games with a .900 SV% and 2.90 GAA, along with five shutouts. Meloche, 18, was drafted with the 116th overall pick by the Sabres in the 2025 NHL Draft and has committed to Northeastern University.

Sharks Notes: Ferraro, Eklund, Lund, Vlasic

at CDT | by 3 Comments

Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro has been involved in trade speculation for a couple of years now and with him entering the final year of his contract and San Jose still rebuilding, that speculation should only intensify in the coming months.  However, his preference appears to be to stick it out with the team that drafted him in the second round back in 2019.  Speaking with reporters including Max Miller of Sharks Hockey Digest, the 27-year-old stated “I’d love to sign long-term here, I want to win here.”  However, he also noted that no talks about an extension have started.  Ferraro is set to carry a $3.25MM cap charge for the upcoming season and should be in line to land a long-term deal in the $5.5MM to $6MM range next summer if he makes it to the open market.

More from San Jose:

  • Winger William Eklund suffered a wrist injury that required surgery in one of Sweden’s tune-up games for the Worlds last May, taking him out of the tournament. However, he told reporters including Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now (Twitter link) that he has fully recovered from the injury.  Eklund inked a three-year, $16.8MM extension on the opening day of free agency, taking away any possible distraction of being in a contract year.  He’ll look to build off the 17-goal, 58-point effort he had last season in his second full NHL campaign.
  • Winger Cameron Lund suffered an upper-body injury at last week’s rookie tournament but it doesn’t appear to be a long-term issue. Head coach David Warsofsky told reporters including Curtis Pashelka of The Mercury News (Twitter link) that Lund is listed as day-to-day.  The 21-year-old played in 11 games with San Jose down the stretch, picking up two goals and an assist in 11:30 per contest of playing time.
  • Earlier this offseason, veteran defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic voiced his displeasure about his buyout from San Jose, suggesting he was misled by the team at his exit interview. Asked to respond to that today, GM Mike Grier told reporters including Pashelka that he doesn’t have any regrets about how the situation was handled.  While declining to get into a who-said-what discussion, Grier noted that Vlasic was indeed given a bit of a heads-up before the buyout was completed while his interpretation of the end-of-season meeting with the blueliner was that the possibility of him being let go from the final year of his contract was discussed.  Vlasic is hoping to play this season but has yet to catch on with a team.

Devils Discussing Extension With Jacob Markstrom

at CDT | by 4 Comments

After being speculatively linked to New Jersey for a big portion of the 2023-24 season, goaltender Jacob Markstrom accepted a trade to the Devils last summer a little before the draft with a first-round pick and defenseman Kevin Bahl going the other way.  The netminder is now entering the final year of his contract and speaking with reporters today (video link), GM Tom Fitzgerald indicated that there are talks about signing Markstrom to a contract extension.

The 35-year-old had a decent first season with the Devils in 2024-25.  While he dealt with a knee injury late in the year, he still got into 49 games where he posted a 2.50 GAA and a .900 SV% along with four shutouts.  While those aren’t elite numbers, they were still a fair bit better than the 3.12 GAA and a .896 SV% that New Jersey’s netminders played to the year before so it’s understandable that Fitzgerald would like to keep that stability in the fold a little longer.  Markstrom also stated a willingness to sign a new deal back in the spring after the team was eliminated in the first round.

Markstrom is set to make $6MM this season although the Devils are only responsible for $4.125MM of that with Calgary picking up the rest as part of the trade.  In order to keep him around, they’ll likely have to give him a raise on his current full salary, given the inflationary rate of salaries.

While he’s no longer in the tier of netminders that have pushed past the $8MM mark on their respective deals in recent seasons, there’s a case to make that Markstrom could split the difference and land somewhere in the $7MM territory.  That, coupled with the $1.8MM that Jake Allen will take home for the next half-decade, would allow them to have their goaltending tandem locked up at a reasonable combined rate.

The future of Nico Daws is in question now with Allen signed for so long, while their other prospects (Jakub Malek, Tyler Brennan, and Mikhail Yegorov) aren’t close to being NHL-ready (or even signed, in Yegorov’s case).  Accordingly, getting Markstrom signed for another two or three seasons would give them continued short-term competitiveness between the pipes while allowing them ample time to assess if any of their prospects have a viable NHL future.  This isn’t necessarily a pressing case, especially compared to unsigned defenseman Luke Hughes but it wouldn’t be surprising to see the two sides work something out in the coming weeks.

Pro Hockey Rumors is not affiliated with National Hockey League, NHL or NHL.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

scroll to top