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Blue Jackets Shopping First-Round Picks

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The Blue Jackets have made both of their first-round picks in the 2025 draft available for trade, general manager Don Waddell told Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers.

Columbus enters the draft with the No. 14 and No. 20 overall selections, the latter of which they acquired from the Wild in last November’s David Jiricek trade. It’s the first time since 2022 that the Jackets haven’t held a top-five pick, and the first time since 2020 that they haven’t held a top-10 selection.

Their lower draft position comes as a result of their ninth-place finish in the Eastern Conference, narrowly missing out on the final wild card spot to the Canadiens by two points. Under new head coach Dean Evason, many of the pieces Columbus has assembled with their wealth of top draft picks over the past few years took significant strides in 2024-25 and fueled the club to its first 40-win season since 2018-19. That was the year the Jackets upset the 128-point Lightning in a first-round sweep to win the first of two playoff series in franchise history.

Just two players, Boone Jenner and Zach Werenski, remain from that club. A full rebuild has gone on since, started by former GM Jarmo Kekalainen and guided nearly over the finish line by Waddell. After spending much of 2024-25 in a playoff position despite multiple core pieces missing significant chunks of the season with injuries, a playoff spot will be the expectation for the Jackets next season.

That, plus the fact that they’ve already assembled one of the best prospect pools in the league with their wealth of draft picks so far this decade, makes one – if not both – of this year’s first-round selections expendable, especially since they’re mid-round picks in a weaker draft class. Waddell has plenty of financial flexibility to augment his young core in free agency this summer, boasting $41.3MM in cap space with only six roster spots to fill, but it makes sense he’d consider leveraging his draft capital for a trade pickup amid a thin free agent class outside of the top few names.

If Waddell manages to agree to terms on an extension with pending UFA defenseman Ivan Provorov, the back end won’t be an area of concern for the Jackets entering next year, aside from some depth pickups. An impact top-line forward will be the main goal for the Jackets this summer, ideally to help push the aging Jenner down to a more comfortable middle-six role, as well as taking some pressure off of No. 1 center Sean Monahan to have a repeat performance of his unexpectedly resurgent 2024-25. Nikolaj Ehlers and Mitch Marner are the only two UFA options this summer who are under the age of 30 and are coming off seasons in which they operated at a 60-point pace.

They’ll face fierce bidding competition on both targets on the open market. While they have the cap space to match any offer they receive elsewhere, banking on certain UFA pickups – or even the assumption they’ll reach free agency – is never 100%. Leveraging what Columbus views as a redundant asset for a trade pickup is an understandably attractive workaround.

If there’s a legitimate starting goaltender to be had on the trade market as the offseason progresses, expect Columbus to make those picks available in a trade framework there as well. 23-year-old Jet Greaves likely solidified an opening-night spot in the fall after posting a sterling .938 SV% and 1.91 GAA in third-string duties last year, but they could look for an upgrade on veteran starter Elvis Merzlikins (26-21-5, .892 SV%, 3.18 GAA in 53 GP) to partner with him.

International Notes: Pysyk, Raffl, Leskinen

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Prague’s HC Sparta of the Czech Extraliga announced they’ve brought in former NHL defenseman Mark Pysyk for the 2025-26 campaign. The 33-year-old hasn’t played in the NHL since the 2021-22 campaign with the Sabres, and, although he was slated to play 2022-23 with the Red Wings after signing there in free agency, missed the entirety of that season due to an Achilles injury. He’s been working his way back to consistent playing time since, spending parts of 2023-24 with the Penguins’ and Flames’ farm teams before heading overseas. He spent this year in Finland with Liiga’s SaiPa, recording nine points and a +11 rating in 36 regular-season games before advancing to the championship series, coming up short to KalPa in the final. With Pysyk’s 521 games of NHL experience with the Sabres, Panthers, and Stars in the fold, Prague rejoins him with a couple of recognizable names, including 2018 Stanley Cup champion Michal Kempny and Mammoth reserve list netminder Josef Korenar.

There’s more from the top-level European leagues:

  • Longtime NHL winger Michael Raffl is heading back home to Austria on a one-year deal with EC Salzburg of the ICEHL, per a club announcement. The longtime Flyers depth scorer last suited up in the NHL with Dallas in the 2021-22 campaign. He’s spent the three years since in Switzerland with the National League’s Lausanne HC, serving as captain for the latter two. Injuries have limited him to just 55 total appearances in that time, but he did well in limited action last year (5-9–14 in 16 GP). He’ll now get to play with his older brother Thomas Raffl in his home country. The latter has been with Salzburg since the 2010-11 season and served as captain since 2019.
  • Luleå HF of the Swedish Hockey League announced they’ve agreed to terms with defenseman Otto Leskinen on a two-year deal. A former Canadiens prospect, the Finnish rearguard had spent parts of three of the last four seasons in his home country’s Liiga with Tappara but now moves to the slightly more competitive Swedish circuit for the first time in his career. The 28-year-old got into six NHL games with Montreal over the 2019-20 and 2020-21 campaigns and last appeared in North America with AHL Laval in 2022-23. A smallish lefty with good offensive instincts, he led Tappara’s defense in scoring this year with 38 points in 52 games.

Hurricanes’ Jalen Chatfield Remains Day-To-Day

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Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said defenseman Jalen Chatfield is progressing with his undisclosed injury but remains day-to-day and is questionable for Game 2 against the Panthers, per Kurt Dusterberg of NHL.com.

Brind’Amour noted over the weekend that he was hopeful that the 29-year-old would be ready for the Eastern Conference Final opener after missing the final game against the Capitals, but Chatfield wasn’t able to go. The last time Chatfield was able to suit up was Game 4 of the second round on May 12. While Chatfield was a full participant at Tuesday’s practice and skated today, Brind’Amour noted Chatfield has not yet been cleared to return to the lineup.

As Brind’Amour stated: “All the athletes want to play; if they’re not capable, they’re not capable. I think today he is better. I would put him more day to day now, so that’s a good sign.”

The Canes appeared to miss Chatfield’s presence in Game 1 against the Panthers, where they gave up five goals in the loss. Chatfield averaged a career high of 18:53 of ice time per game during the regular season, and that figure has climbed to 20:24 during the playoffs. He has contributed one goal and a plus-six rating in nine playoff games thus far. Rookie Scott Morrow filled in for Chatfield in Game 1 but struggled, finishing with a minus-3 rating in just 12:19 of ice time.

The 22-year-old has just 16 NHL games of experience, making the moment a lot to ask of the 2021 second-round pick. However, he has showcased success in his brief experience during the regular season, posting six points and a plus-four rating in 14 games this season. Alexander Nikishin also made his NHL debut in Game 5 against the Capitals, and gives the Canes another talented, yet inexperienced defender to consider.

Oilers’ Brown In For Game 1, Ekholm Remains Out

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Connor Brown will be in the Oilers’ lineup for tonight’s Game 1 against the Dallas Stars, while key defender Mattias Ekholm remains out, per a team release.

Brown missed the team’s gameday skate today, and coach Kris Knoblauch noted he’d be a game-time decision. However, Brown’s undisclosed injury will not keep him from playing in tonight’s contest. Brown will continue to skate next to Evander Kane and Adam Henrique on the team’s third line. Had Brown not been available, Viktor Arvidsson would have likely taken his place in the lineup, per TSN’s Ryan Rishaug.

Brown played every game for the Oilers this season, both during the regular season and the playoffs. He recorded 13 goals and 30 points in the regular season and has stepped up offensively in the playoffs, with four goals and seven points in 11 games. He’s averaging 15:19 of ice time per game in the playoffs.

Ekholm remains out but is progressing toward a return after fully participating in practice today, per Mark Spector of Sportsnet. As Spector notes, the team announced Ekholm will miss Games 1 and 2, but his full participation in practice today sparked speculation that his return could come sooner than expected.

Ekholm has played just once since late March, returning for a single game on April 11 after a seven-game absence, only to aggravate his injury again. The 34-year-old has missed all of the team’s playoff games. In 65 regular-season games, Ekholm recorded nine goals and 33 points while averaging 22:12 of ice time per game.

Bruins Begin To Narrow Coaching Search

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Fresh off signing his own contract extension, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney stated that the organization is narrowing its coaching search and no longer considering candidates still active in the playoffs, per Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald.

Sweeney said his goal is to have a coach in place “well before” June’s NHL draft, so it would seem a decision will be made soon. While Sweeney didn’t provide a list of candidates, he did note that interim coach Joe Sacco and assistant Jay Leach are under consideration. He also acknowledged that the Bruins had discussions with Rick Tocchet, a former teammate of Sweeney’s, though no formal offer was extended. He also mentioned that the future head coach will not be someone currently coaching a playoff team, further narrowing the candidate pool. Aside from Tocchet, another known external candidate is Jay Woodcroft, though he appears to be in the running for multiple teams, including the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Sweeney also acknowledged that his recent two-year contract extension supports his ability to find the right coaching candidate, as they can now hold authentic conversations about the future of the Bruins.

“Does it help in terms of alignment when we’re talking? Yeah, there’s no question it takes away some of the question marks as you’re going through the process. One of the things I talked about as a priority is a coach that knows how to communicate across a wide spectrum of players. That’s what’s required of head coaches now at this level. You’ve got young players, you’ve got established players, you’ve got players that are working their way up the lineup. So to have a line of communication between the coach and the GM, it’s always an important variable, so I’m appreciative that we have that.”

Flyers Part Ways With AHL Head Coach Ian Laperriere

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The Flyers will not have AHL head coach Ian Laperriere back with the organization next season, according to NHL.com’s Bill Meltzer.

Laperriere has been a part of the Philadelphia organization in some capacity since 2009. The Montreal native played 1,083 NHL games as a checking winger, including the final season of his career with the Flyers in their run to the 2010 Stanley Cup Final. Multiple concussions sustained during that season ended his career, though. After his contract expired following the 2011-12 season, he officially retired and joined their front office as their director of player development. He was shifted to a bench role as an assistant coach the following year and remained in that position until 2021, when Philly reassigned him to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms to serve as their head coach.

After four AHL campaigns with the Phantoms and well over a decade with the Flyers, Laperriere now moves on. He posted a 134-120-38 record in the regular season and made the Calder Cup Playoffs every year but his first. This season, he coached the Phantoms to an upset two-game sweep of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the first round before taking the defending champion Hershey Bears to a winner-take-all Game 5 in the Atlantic Division Semifinals.

Laperriere’s departure from the organization is mutual, Meltzer said, adding he “covets an NHL head coaching chance.” It’s unlikely he’ll get that in this cycle, but with Rick Tocchet signing a five-year deal to serve as the Flyers’ bench boss this month, it certainly wasn’t going to come in Philadelphia anytime soon. He’ll now look for a role in another organization with a clearer path toward being an internal promotion candidate and serving as an NHL head coach for the first time.

Kraken Linked To Lane Lambert, Mitch Love, David Quinn For Head Coach Opening

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Outside of Rick Tocchet, who landed with the Flyers, there haven’t been many names firmly connected to the Kraken’s head coach vacancy. That changed today when TSN’s Darren Dreger reported they’ve received permission from the Maple Leafs to interview assistant coach Lane Lambert for their head coach role. They’ve also displayed interest in Capitals assistant Mitch Love and Penguins assistant David Quinn, Dreger adds.

It won’t be Lambert’s first go-around as a head coach if he wins the race. The 60-year-old was tabbed as the Isles’ bench boss ahead of the 2022-23 season after four years there as an associate coach. He lasted less than two full seasons there and was replaced by Patrick Roy near the midpoint of the 2023-24 campaign. After finishing the year without a job, he served as Craig Berube’s associate coach in Toronto this year.

Love and Quinn have both been tied to Pittsburgh’s head coach opening as well, with the former as the favorite by all indications. Love has spent the last two years in Washington under 2025 Jack Adams Award nominee Spencer Carbery, his first job on an NHL bench. The 40-year-old has made quick work of his jump up from the junior ranks to the NHL. In his brief two-year stop in the AHL as head coach of Calgary’s affiliate, he won Coach of the Year honors in both seasons.

Quinn is the most known commodity of the trio, something that may work against him in the end for a Seattle club looking to vault upward out of a pair of slightly sub-.500 finishes. Across stops with the Rangers and Sharks over the past six years, the 58-year-old had just a 137-185-50 (.435) record. He’s spent just one year with Pittsburgh, his lone campaign as an assistant in the NHL.

Seattle’s on the hunt for the third head coach in franchise history after they fired Dan Bylsma in April following just one season behind the bench. They’re one of the four active vacancies remaining, although that list is expected to drop to three soon with the Blackhawks on the verge of hiring Lightning assistant and former Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill. Alongside Pittsburgh, the Bruins are also looking for a new coach.

Anders Sorensen Likely To Remain On Blackhawks’ Staff

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The Blackhawks have been linked to Jeff Blashill for their head coaching vacancy in the last few weeks and are widely expected to make that hiring official in the coming days. That begged questions about the future of Anders Sorensen, who finished the season as interim head coach after Chicago fired Luke Richardson in the early going. He’ll be remaining with the club, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reports, although whether that’s as an assistant on Blashill’s staff or back where he started 2024-25 in AHL Rockford remains to be seen.

It’s unclear if Sorensen was ever a legitimate candidate to have his interim tag removed. The Blackhawks kept their search rather tight-lipped over the last couple of months, with Blashill and University of Denver coach David Carle’s names the only ones ever firmly connected to their vacancy.

He’s definitely no stranger to the organization. The 50-year-old Swede has served with the Blackhawks in some capacity dating back to 2014, first as a development coach with the NHL and AHL clubs before being tabbed as an assistant coach for Rockford in 2018-19. He was promoted to serve as Rockford’s head coach in November of 2021 and held the role until Richardson’s firing last December.

There’s been a slow but clear upward trajectory for him in the organization. It makes sense that, assuming he wasn’t getting many calls from other teams about their head coach vacancies, he’d be happy to stick around with a club, either in Chicago or Rockford, that he’s obviously quite comfortable with.

Chicago finished the season with a 17-30-9 (.384) record under Sorensen, just marginally better than the 8-16-2 (.346) mark they started the season with under Richardson. Their new hire will be their fifth coach in as many years, including interim bench bosses.

Islanders Obtain Permission To Interview Brendan Shanahan

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1:45 p.m.: The Leafs have granted New York’s request and made Shanahan available for interview, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

12:57 p.m.: The Islanders have asked the Maple Leafs for permission to interview Brendan Shanahan for their vacant president of hockey operations role, Chris Johnston of The Athletic reports Monday. It’s still unknown whether that permission was granted, Pierre LeBrun of TSN relays.

Shanahan, who’s served as Toronto’s president since the 2014-15 season, is on an expiring contract. After another Game 7 defeat and no Conference Finals appearances during his 11-year tenure, few expect him to receive an extension offer from the Maple Leafs.

While Toronto’s ownership group doesn’t “want to make any knee-jerk or emotional decisions,” Johnston writes, their blown 2-0 series lead to the Panthers in the second round and 6-1 losses in Games 5 and 7 at home “has left ownership disappointed and embarrassed,” per league sources. If they opt not to renew Shanahan’s contract, it’s likely they’ll move forward with general manager Brad Treliving as their top hockey operations decision maker and not replace Shanahan’s president role.

As for the Islanders, they’re looking for both a president and general manager after parting ways with Lou Lamoriello, who held both of those roles, a month ago. Their search is reportedly down to Kings senior advisor Marc Bergevin and Lightning assistant GM Mathieu Darche. While they may consider giving dual POHO/GM duties to Bergevin, who had experience pulling double duty during his time with the Canadiens, Darche would be a GM-only hire as he steps into the chair for the first time. Toronto’s willingness to let Shanahan get involved in the Islanders’ search could thus influence their decision between Bergevin and Darche.

Shanahan’s role with the Leafs was the Hall-of-Fame winger’s first with an NHL club. His previous executive experience came with the league offices as their VP of hockey and business development from 2009 to 2011 and then VP of player safety from 2011 to 2014.

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