Jets' Dylan Samberg signs three-year extension
Restricted free-agent defenseman Dylan Samberg avoided a salary arbitration hearing and signed a three-year contract extension with the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday.
Ice Hockey
31st July 2025
Sabres, KeyBank Center extend arena rights deal
The Buffalo Sabres' home arena will continue being called the KeyBank Center after the two sides announced a 10-year naming rights extension.
30th July 2025
A brief history of the Joe Thornton Award, a fake trophy for best debut with a new team
Looking back and handing out the Joe Thornton Award, given to the NHL player who has the best debut with a new team.
Why Blackhawks prospect Marek Vanacker has 'a lot of untapped potential'
After his summer of training, Vanacker is eager to show his progress and prove himself at main camp with the Blackhawks.
29th July 2025
How a 'metamorphosis' turned Ryker Lee into one of the NHL's most gifted prospects
Lee, who was taken 26th in the 2025 NHL Draft by Nashville, now has the height to pair with his elite hands.
NHL’s 10 best contracts, 2025 edition: Jack Hughes, Brandon Hagel and more
According to each player’s projected value over the remainder of their deals, these are the league’s 10 best contracts.
Caps C Backstrom to resume hockey in Sweden
After missing the entire last season and a majority of the 2023-24 season with a nagging him injury, ex-Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom will resume his hockey career in his native Sweden with Brynas IF.
28th July 2025
'Real-life Happy Gilmore': Meet the hockey player who inspired the Adam Sandler movies
A lifelong friend of the famous comedian, Kyle McDonough starred on the ice at Vermont and served as motivation for the fictional golfer.
Sabres avoid salary arbitration with D Timmins
The Buffalo Sabres avoided a salary arbitration hearing with Conor Timmins by signing the newly acquired defenseman to a two-year, $4.4 million contract on Sunday.
27th July 2025
Blackhawks sign G Soderblom to 2-yr. extension
The Chicago Blackhawks have signed goaltender Arvid Soderblom to a two-year, $5.5 million extension, the team announced Saturday.
26th July 2025
NHL says the 5 players acquitted of sexual assault are ineligible to join league, NHLPA pushes back
The NHL is barring five players acquitted of sexual assault from re-entering the league, announcing the decision in a statement on Friday. The five players — Michael McLeod, Dillon Dubé, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton and Carter Hart — were found not guilty of sexual assault charges on Thursday.
Ohio to Virginia: SportsCenter's 50-in-50 Week 5 quiz
Did someone say sports trivia? As "SportsCenter" continues its summer road trip, we're back for our fifth "state check.".
25th July 2025
Getting a new CBA without a lockout is bad, actually: The Contrarian returns
Plus: The 4 Nations Face-Off was a dud, the decentralized draft was amazing, comment sections are the best and more fake arguments.
Hurricanes lock in Blake with 8-year, $45M deal
Jackson Blake, coming off a rookie season in which he had 17 goals and 17 assists, signed an eight-year, $45 million contract extension with the Hurricanes.
What the path back to the NHL looks like for Carter Hart, other Hockey Canada defendants
The players are unrestricted free agents but will not be eligible to sign with a team until the NHL has conducted its own review.
The Hockey Canada trial could have been a reckoning. It was something else
The eight-week trial proved challenging to manage, leading to two jury dismissals and eventually the judge-only decision.
All 5 players found not guilty in Hockey Canada sexual assault trial
Judge says she didn't find the evidence in the Crown's case "credible or reliable" in announcing the verdicts.
Judge acquits players in Canada hockey trial
A judge acquitted five former members of Canada's world junior hockey team in their sexual assault case.
The trade that changed everything. Plus: A slow offseason, by the numbers
Good morning to everyone who’s still following hockey in late July.
24th July 2025
NHL Power Rankings: Summer storylines for all 32 teams
It's the midsummer edition! Who's next on the list after the Panthers and Oilers?.
Inside 2026 NHL Draft sensation Gavin McKenna's path to Penn State, and his big season ahead
McKenna is looking forward to the challenges that will come in his draft year under the microscope.
Checking in: How NHL players turned a Connecticut charity game into an offseason hockey destination
Twenty active NHL players, including Stars goalie Jake Oettinger, are set to appear at Thursday's event to promote mental health awareness.
PWHL's Fleet sign ex-AHL player Sparre as coach
The Boston Fleet have hired Kris Sparre as the second head coach in the PWHL franchise's history.
Boston Fleet name Kris Sparre as second head coach in franchise history
Sparre replaces Courtney Kessel, who recently left to coach the Princeton University women's hockey team.
23rd July 2025
NHL offseason concern-o-meter: Erik Karlsson trade market, Connor McDavid contract, more
Plus the Blackhawks’ rebuild and quiet free agency, the Mitch Marner-sized hole in the Maple Leafs lineup, the NHL's growth and much more.
Re-drafting the 2022 NHL Draft: Logan Cooley, Lane Hutson lead Scott Wheeler’s do-over
Scott Wheeler provides updated evaluations of the top players in the 2022 draft class and breaks down what he got right and wrong.
Kraken sign forward Kakko to three-year contract
Forward Kaapo Kakko signed a three-year contract with the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday with an average annual value of $4.525 million.
22nd July 2025
Best of the rest: Who's left in NHL free agency?
Most of the NHL free agent deals are handed out July 1. But there are still some players left -- here are the top remaining unrestricted free agents.
The minor playoff rule change that altered NHL history, including 4 Stanley Cup winners
How much does hockey history change if the first round of the NHL playoffs had stayed best-of-five?.
After 'iconic' Rangers tenure, Chris Kreider opens up about New York departure: 1-on-1
“For me it’s been kind of gradual, which I think is nice,” Kreider said of the transition. “I don’t know; I have nothing to compare it to.".
Hockey Canada announces full coaching staff for 2026 Winter Olympics
Bruce Cassidy, Pete DeBoer and Rick Tocchet lead a support staff rich in NHL head coaching experience behind bench boss Jon Cooper.
Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl play in beer league game
The Edmonton Oilers stars, not exactly playing at top intensity, suited up at Magna Centre in Newmarket, Ontario for a Wednesday pickup game.
21st July 2025
Which NHL broadcasts are the best? 2025 broadcast rankings, rated by fans
How do NHL fan bases view, connect with and rate those who call hockey games? We use their input to rank all 32 regional broadcasts.
NHL prospects I was wrong about, 2025 edition: Lian Bichsel, Brad Lambert and more
Here are five more players Scott Wheeler was either too high or too low on when evaluating their NHL prospects.
19th July 2025
What's every NHL team's best and worst jersey in franchise history?
From jerseys that stood the test of time to duds that teams couldn't ditch soon enough, here's the best and worst for every team.
Jets, Vilardi reach 6-year, $45 million extension
The Winnipeg Jets locked up forward Gabriel Vilardi on Friday, signing the forward to a six-year extension worth $45 million.
No way Yegor Chinakhov can stay in Columbus after trade request, agent says: 'It's all about the coach'
Agent Shumi Babaev said Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason did not communicate with Chinakhov at any point during last season.
Winnipeg Jets sign Gabriel Vilardi to 6-year contract extension, avoid arbitration
Vilardi scored 61 points in 71 games last season and plays an integral role on Winnipeg's top power-play unit.
Former NHL goalie Jaroslav Halak retires after 17 seasons
Halak's playoff heroics helped define his career, specifically in 2010, when he led Montreal to the Eastern Conference final.
Goalie Halak retires from NHL after 17 seasons
Goaltender Jaroslav Halak officially announced his retirement from the NHL after 17 seasons Friday, more than two years removed from his last game.
'Rudy' or 'Hoosiers'? Indiana fan poll highlights SportsCenter's 50-in-50 Week 4 quiz
"SportsCenter" is continuing its journey across America -- and we're continuing to test your state-specific sports knowledge with our Week 4 quiz.
18th July 2025
NHL goalies see big benefits in changes to EBUG system: 'A long time coming'
Netminding has become increasingly demanding in today's NHL. Full-time emergency replacements will soon be around to help lighten the load.
Canucks trade Dakota Joshua to Maple Leafs for fourth-round pick
The forward was originally drafted by Toronto in 2014 and has three years remaining on his contract with a $3.25 million cap hit.
Ducks sign top goalie Dostal to 5-year extension
Lukas Dostal, who went 23-23-7 with one shutout and a 3.10 GAA last season, has reached a five-year contract extension with the Ducks, the team announced Thursday.
Blue Jackets forward Chinakhov requests trade
Blue Jackets right wing Yegor Chinakhov, the No. 21 pick in the 2020 NHL draft, has requested a trade.
Ducks sign goalie Lukáš Dostál to 5-year contract extension, avoid arbitration
The sides avoided salary arbitration after Dostál was one of 11 players in the league to file for the process on July 5.
Yegor Chinakhov requests trade from Blue Jackets, cites 'misunderstandings' with coach Dean Evason
Columbus GM Don Waddell said he was already aware of the trade request, but he was surprised Chinakhov's agent, Shumi Babaev, went public.
17th July 2025
How Gavin McKenna's Penn State commitment shifted the NHL prospect landscape
The top prospect for the 2026 draft is headed to Happy Valley after starring in Western Canada.
NHL Nickname Court is in session: What do we think of Scylla and Charybdis? SchaefDaddy?
Modern hockey nicknames are terrible. Let’s see if your ideas are any better.
NHL schedule release: Bruins, Penguins, Maple Leafs and more lead top reveals
Here are the NHL schedule release videos posted by teams Wednesday.
NHL schedule release: Analyzing the biggest games and dates of the 2025-26 season
Homecomings for Marner, Marchand and Toews. Rematches of the back-to-back Stanley Cup finalists. Check out next season's biggest games.
NHL releases full 82-game schedule for '25-26
The NHL released the full 2025-26 schedule, the final 82-game season before the new CBA kicks in and increases it to 84.
Longtime Sharks executive, former NHL goalie Wayne Thomas dies at 77
Thomas ran the Sharks’ various American Hockey League affiliates until 2012-13 and retired from the organization after the 2014-15 season.
Ex-goalie, coach, exec Wayne Thomas dies at 77
Wayne Thomas, who played in goal primarily for the Rangers and went on to have a career as an assistant coach and longtime Sharks executive, has died at age 77.
16th July 2025
Which NHL teams improved the most this offseason? Ranking all 32
From most value added to least, here’s how each team has changed this summer.
What the NHL gets wrong in sticking with a decentralized draft format
The question about the NHL Draft should be as simple as "What's best for the product and the fans?".
How Sidney Crosby helped the Blue Jackets land their new head equipment manager
The superstar placed a phone call to endorse Paul DeFazio, who was hired by Columbus after 25-plus years in the Penguins organization.
Blackhawks reach deal with No. 3 pick Frondell
The Blackhawks agreed on Tuesday to a three-year, entry-level contract with Anton Frondell, who was the No. 3 overall pick in last month's draft.
Blackhawks sign 2025 draft pick Anton Frondell to entry-level contract: Where will he play?
The plan for the upcoming season is for the 18-year-old to return to play for Djurgården in the SHL instead of jumping straight to the NHL.
McTavish an offer-sheet candidate, Canes should let Ehlers cook: NHL offseason notebook
There are still a few players eligible for offer sheets to keep an eye on this summer. Plus checking in on more potential roster moves.
15th July 2025
Why I Joined The Athletic: A life of covering GOATs, started by an original Goat
When you cover Tiger Woods, Tom Brady and LeBron James, you see the drive and focus that borders on superhuman. But they can be human, too.
Q&A with Alan Millar, the new — and first — GM of Hockey Canada's Program of Excellence
In his role, Millar will be the top voice and roster-builder for Canada's World Junior teams.
1980s Alberta vs. 2020s Florida: Which 2-team NHL dynasty was more impressive?
Has the 2020s state of Florida passed the 1980s Alberta dynasty? Let's break down both eras and all four teams in a few categories.
Top 20 drafted NHL goalie prospects ranking: Askarov, Fowler lead Wheeler’s summer 2025 list
Yaroslav Askarov and Jacob Fowler top Wheeler's latest ranking of the NHL's top goalie prospects.
From Navy SEAL to NHL front office: How Wild's 'big brother' teaches players to overcome adversity
Aaron Bogosian draws on experience as a former pro hockey player as well as his military experience to assess and develop Wild prospects.
Sabres give defenseman Byram 2-year extension
The Buffalo Sabres have signed restricted free-agent defenseman Bowen Byram to a two-year, $12.5-million contract extension, as speculation continues about his future with the team.
Sabres, Bowen Byram agree to 2-year extension with $6.25 million cap hit
The Sabres have avoided arbitration with defenseman Bowen Byram, who was a restricted free agent.
Ownership group led by Mario Lemieux 'very interested' in buying back Penguins
The interest in reacquiring the team comes nearly four years after it was sold in 2021 to Fenway Sports Group for $900 million.
Panthers to raise 2nd Stanley Cup banner Oct. 7
The Florida Panthers will raise their second Stanley Cup banner on Oct. 7 to kick off the 2025-26 NHL season ahead of their opener against the Chicago Blackhawks.
14th July 2025
New rules for EBUGs? 84 games? What to know about the NHL's new CBA
There's labor peace in hockey through 2030. Here are the new tweaks on the way starting in 2026-27.
Leave an NHL question for James Mirtle’s next mailbag
Have a burning question about how something works in the league? Want to sound off on something happening in the hockey world?.
Top 100 drafted NHL prospects ranking: Schaefer, Misa, Demidov lead Wheeler's summer 2025 list
Welcome to the summer 2025 edition of Scott Wheeler ranking of the NHL’s best prospects at The Athletic.
Pavelski wins Tahoe tournament; Barkley is 69th
Former NHL player Joe Pavelski won the American Century Championship on Sunday, closing with an eagle in a wire-to-wire victory in the celeb event.
Pens acquire goalie Silovs in trade with Canucks
The Penguins shored up the goaltending position, acquiring Arturs Silovs from the Canucks in exchange for forward Chase Stillman and a 2027 fourth-round pick.
Penguins acquire talented goaltender Arturs Silovs from Canucks for Chase Stillman, draft pick
Silovs recently backstopped AHL Abbotsford to a 2025 Calder Cup championship.
13th July 2025
NHL teams vote in favor of decentralized 2026 NHL Draft: Source
Aside from the pandemic-affected 2020 and 2021 drafts, this was the first year the league went to a decentralized model.
12th July 2025
Way-too-early predictions for the 2025-26 NHL season: Stanley Cup winner, awards and more
With offseason fully upon us and most of the big free-agent signings in the books, The Athletic asked its NHL staff for their 2025-26 picks.
Blues part ways with broadcaster John Kelly, move to simulcast model: 'Difficult decision'
Kelly joined the Blues TV broadcast booth in 2005 after play-by-play stints with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Colorado Avalanche.
Georgia to California: SportsCenter's 50-in-50 Week 3 quiz
Did someone say sports trivia? As "SportsCenter" continues its summer road trip, we're back for our third "state check.".
11th July 2025
Which NHL team can make the best lineup of players with no repeated initials?
Slow-news summer is here, so let's make the best six-man starting lineup possible for your favorite team without repeating any initials.
NHL free agency 2025: The 10 best contracts signed so far
After scouring the league's signings, here are 10 of the best contracts that teams have inked in free agency so far.
Sharks obtain forward Reaves in trade with Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs traded rugged forward Ryan Reaves to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday for defenseman Henry Thrun.
Avs defenseman Manson signs 2-year extension
The Avalanche signed defenseman Josh Manson to a two-year contract extension through 2027-28 on Thursday.
Stars ship Dumba to Pens for Kolyachonok, pick
The Stars and Penguins swapped defensemen Thursday with Dallas sending Matt Dumba to Pittsburgh in return for Vladislav Kolyachonok and a 2028 second-round pick.
Panthers bring back Samoskevich on 1-year deal
The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers have re-signed forward Mackie Samoskevich to a one-year deal, the team announced Thursday.
Stars trade Matt Dumba, draft pick to Penguins for Vladislav Kolyachonok
Dumba recorded one goal and nine assists in 63 regular-season games last year, but did not play in the playoffs.
Sarah Fillier signs 2-year contract with New York Sirens, becoming PWHL's highest-paid player
Fillier's decision to sign a one-year deal after being selected No. 1 at the 2024 PWHL Draft now looks like a savvy bet.
10th July 2025
From adding talent to losing captains: NHL teams that changed the most this offseason
From the Sharks to the Stars, here are 12 teams most impacted by offseason moves -- for better and for worse.
Breaking down Noah Dobson: What he brings and how he fits with Canadiens
Even after a down season on Long Island, Dobson still has the ceiling to be a franchise defenseman for Montreal and is worth betting on.
This Week in Sports Trivia: July 10, 2025
How closely were you following the sports news this week? Find out and test your knowledge by taking The Athletic's weekly quiz.
Inside the Rangers' big July 1 moves: How they pulled off signing Gavrikov, dealing Miller
With two big splashes on the same day, GM Chris Drury continued to put his stamp on a retooling New York roster.
Inside the Hurricanes' pursuit of Nikolaj Ehlers: How Carolina landed the top UFA
It took an aggressive recruitment pitch from GM Eric Tulsky, coach Rod Brind'Amour and goalie Frederik Andersen to land the longtime Jet.
How big is the 'no-state-tax' advantage for the Florida Panthers?
Figuring out to what extent the "no-state-tax" advantage exists is no small task. Is there an advantage? For the Panthers, yes and no.
Rankings: Top players for 2025-26
Start preparing for 2025-26 fantasy hockey drafts, with rankings for the top players broken down by position.
Dave Maloney named Rangers TV analyst, replaces retiring Joe Micheletti
Maloney will call games with play-by-play announcer Kenny Albert, who is also entering his first year working Rangers games full-time on TV.
The Bronny James 'LEAVE' card and the most unflattering sports cards of all time, ranked
Where Bronny James and his dad land in a ranking of the 17 most unflattering sports cards of all time.
9th July 2025
What Gavin McKenna's commitment means for the NCAA, CHL, Penn State, NIL and more
Here's where the landscape stands after McKenna became the most high-profile player to go from the CHL to the NCAA.
NHL players react to new CBA terms, from 'slight' concessions to 'contentious' changes
A sampling of opinion from around the league found players in favor of the changes, even if not with total enthusiasm.
Lightning trade top prospect Howard to Oilers
The Lightning traded reigning Hobey Baker award winner Isaac Howard to the Oilers Tuesday for prospect center Sam O'Reilly.
Oilers trade for Hobey Baker winner Isaac Howard, send Sam O'Reilly to Lightning
The Oilers have also signed Howard to a three-year, entry-level contract, negating a potential return to college.
