NHL free agency 2025: One player each team should target this offseason
As teams look to fill holes on their rosters, we play free agency matchmaker and list one UFA each team should target this summer.
Ice Hockey
14th June 2025
Legal decision for the 'Hockey Canada 5' won't come for weeks, but judgment can be rendered
The stain from decisions made in that London, Ont., hotel room will echo for years after the legality of that night's activity is settled.
Hockey Canada sexual assault trial is over; decision coming July 24
Though the Crown fought to preserve the jury trial, a mistrial and a jury dismissal have led to a trial that will be decided by the judge.
Blackhawks trade defenseman Victor Söderström's rights to Bruins for prospect, pick
Boston received defense prospect Ryan Mast and a 2025 seventh-round pick in the deal, the team announced Friday.
Oft-criticized Darnell Nurse's improvements evident for Oilers in Stanley Cup Final
The defenseman's latest playoff performance in Game 4 showed how much he’s changed over the last year after taking ownership.
13th June 2025
The Paul Maurice Effect: How the Panthers' head coach helped create a monster
Yes, Maurice inherited a good team. But he made it great, and has the Panthers on the verge of a second Stanley Cup.
After another Stanley Cup Final goalie benching, NHL netminders discuss the dreaded yank: 'A brutal feeling'
It's hard to place much blame on Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner for the three goals he allowed in Game 4. But his benching provided a spark.
Which 2025 NHL Draft prospects have the best skills? Ranking 6 different tools and traits
We are ranking prospects in the draft class by skating, puck handling, hockey IQ, shooting, competitiveness and athleticism.
NHL Draft Guide 2025: Prospect rankings, mock drafts and more
A complete guide to everything you need to know about the 2025 NHL Draft.
Calvin Pickard, saving pucks and playoff runs alike, comes to Oilers' rescue yet again
A fantastic moment from Pickard in the second period might have been enough to save the Oilers' season.
Do you know your Stanley Cup-winning goalies? Take the 'Who Didn't He Play For?' quiz
Goalies with their names on hockey's biggest prize cemented their legacies with teams you remember, but spent time with teams you might not.
Game 4 hero Leon Draisaitl inspired the Oilers' momentum swing on and off the ice
“I don’t know what could be said that really conveys what he brings to our team,” said Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch.
The best Stanley Cup Final ever? Trending that way. Plus, Oakmont flexes
The Pulse Newsletter ???? | This is The Athletic’s daily sports newsletter. Sign up here to receive The Pulse directly in your inbox. Good morning! Save bogey today.
Can the Panthers shake it off after blowing a 3-0 lead in Game 4?
The Panthers got off to a strong start, but the Oilers turned the tables to steal a road overtime win just as Florida had in Game 2.
Oilers' Game 4 comeback could be the stuff of legend on their path to Stanley Cup
There are games in the history of the Stanley Cup Final that are not easily forgotten. If Edmonton wins, everyone will remember Game 4.
Oilers strike back, tie Cup Final 2-2: Grades for both teams, look ahead to Game 5
Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl secures win in OT after a wild game. Here's how it happened, and what comes next.
Draisaitl's OT winner caps historic Oilers comeback
Leon Draisaitl's fourth overtime goal this postseason sealed a dramatic Game 4 victory for the Oilers, who tied the Stanley Cup Final against the Panthers at 2-2.
Oilers' Leon Draisaitl scores in overtime to even Stanley Cup Final series: Takeaways
The Oilers stormed back from a 3-0 deficit after the first period to send the series back to Edmonton tied at two apiece.
Oilers' Skinner yanked again after 3 goals in 1st
Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner was pulled after the first period of Thursday's Game 4 after the Panthers scored three goals.
Jets' Hellebuyck pulls off rare Hart-Vezina double
Winnipeg's Connor Hellebuyck has won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP and the Vezina Trophy as the league's best goaltender.
Oilers beat Panthers in thrilling Stanley Cup Final Game 4 OT win, with Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce in attendance
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce beat the heat in Florida — for a great game of hockey. The pair attended Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday, as the Edmonton Oilers came from behind to earn a 5-4 overtime win, stunning the Florida Panthers at home.
Oilers beat Panthers in thrilling Game 4 OT win at Stanley Cup Final, with Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce in attendance
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce beat the heat in Florida — for a great game of hockey. The pair attended Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday, as the Edmonton Oilers came from behind to earn a 5-4 overtime win, stunning the Florida Panthers at home.
Crown attacks defense's tactics, legal arguments in Hockey Canada trial
The Crown targeted a number of rape myths and stereotypes Thursday, challenging defense tactics and legal arguments.
Winnipeg Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck wins rare Hart Trophy, Vezina Trophy combination
Hellebuyck led the NHL with 47 wins, eight shutouts and a 2.00 goals-against average.
'Nicest' player: Kings' Kopitar wins 3rd Lady Byng
Kings forward Anze Kopitar is the winner of the Lady Byng Trophy, given annually to the NHL player who displays the most gentlemanly conduct.
Oilers sticking with Skinner in net for Game 4
Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner will start Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final after being pulled from the previous game.
???? Trade grades: Rangers send Kreider to Ducks
The first major trade of the 2025 offseason has transpired. Here's how both GMs did on the swap.
WATCH: Here's how Aleksander Barkov is slowing down Connor McDavid in the Stanley Cup Final
The matchup is crucial to determining which team eventually will lift the Stanley Cup.
NHL trade grades: Rangers needed to unload Chris Kreider to move forward
How did our staff evaluate the retooling Rangers' return from Anaheim for their longest-tenured skater?.
Kreider joins Ducks after signing off on trade
Chris Kreider is heading to the Ducks after the winger waived his no-trade clause and allowed the Rangers to deal him away.
New York Rangers' Chris Kreider traded to Anaheim Ducks for prospect
Kreider, coming off a disappointing season, has two years remaining on his contract.
Anze Kopitar wins NHL's Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for third time
The award is given to the player who "combines sportsmanship, gentlemanly conduct, and high playing ability.".
The Oilers need a statement game. Plus: The goalie conundrum
The Oilers need a win in Game 4 tonight against the Panthers and have a choice to make in goal.
12th June 2025
Panthers-Oilers Game 4 preview: Can Edmonton tie the series back up?
Will it be 2-2 or 3-1 heading into Game 5? Here are key stats, players and matchups, plus betting intel.
How the Oilers are drawing inspiration from a resilient dog sled musher: 'It's about everyone'
A harrowing story from Jason Campeau, a former Iditarod competitor, has resonated with the Oilers during the playoffs.
Canada Olympic hockey: Projecting the men's First 6, big questions about the rest of the roster
Brad Marchand has been one of the stars of the postseason but is no lock to repeat as one of the first players announced for Team Canada.
How do 2025 NHL Draft's best prospects compare with 2024's top 10?
A combined ranking from Corey Pronman of the top players from the 2024 and 2025 NHL Draft classes.
U.S. Olympic hockey: Projecting the men's First 6, stock watch on the rest of the roster
Adam Fox's struggles at 4 Nations and in the 2024-25 NHL season opens a spot in the "First Six" ahead of those initial roster announcements.
Are the Panthers in the Oilers' heads? After ugly Game 3, Edmonton knows it must play its own style
The Oilers have spent a lot of time talking about the Panthers' style with two off days: "That's their brand. That's what they do.".
This Week in Sports Trivia: June 12, 2025
How closely were you following the sports news this week? Find out and test your knowledge by taking The Athletic's weekly quiz.
Prosecutor calls Michael McLeod the architect of Hockey Canada sexual assault
Crown prosecutor says "someone’s not telling the truth" in laying out the case against the five Hockey Canada defendants.
NHL rumblings: Latest on Kreider, Marchand, Tavares, Pettersson, more as the summer market heats up
With a few days off in the Stanley Cup Final, we also check in on the Blackhawks, Kings, Hurricanes, Jonathan Toews watch and more.
Avs' Makar wins 2nd Norris as top defenseman
The Avs' Cole Makar got 176 of 191 first-place votes to win the second Norris Trophy of his career Wednesday as top defenseman in the NHL.
Sources: Rangers seek to trade Kreider to Ducks
The Rangers and Ducks are working on a trade to send Chris Kreider to Anaheim for a prospect and a draft pick, sources confirmed to ESPN.
Colorado Avalanche's Cale Makar wins second Norris Trophy as top NHL defenseman
Makar bested Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks and the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Zach Werenski in a vote by select hockey writers.
11th June 2025
Whose NHL draft stock rose, declined at the scouting combine?
The annual event took place this past week in Buffalo -- with major repercussions for the draft on June 27-28.
Oilers' Knoblauch undecided on Game 4 goalie
Edmonton Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said he hasn't decided if the team will make a change in net ahead of Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final Thursday against the Panthers.
How Sam Bennett transformed into a playoff MVP candidate
One shift in Game 3 encapsulated everything the veteran center can do on the ice. Here's how he got here.
2025 NHL Staff Mock Draft 2.0: Schaefer goes No. 1, but where do Misa, Desnoyers and Hagens land?
Just over two weeks from draft day, we reconvened our staff of NHL reporters to make selections for the entire first round.
Why these 4 NHL teams could lose good players because of salary cap crunches
Even with the NHL salary cap rising, several teams are in for an interesting offseason with cap crunches likely to force roster surgery.
Who says no to these NHL trades (involving things that cannot actually be traded)?
There are strict limits on what can be traded between teams in the modern NHL. But what if there weren't? Fans pitch unorthodox swaps.
Stuart Skinner wasn't at fault for Game 3 loss, but Oilers need him back at his best
Skinner had his worst game since the first round of the playoffs in an all-around terrible outing for Edmonton. What next?.
Stanley Cup Final Game 3 fines, fallout: Walman docked the max, Panthers ready for Oilers response
Jake Walman received $10,000 in fines from the NHL after squirting water toward the Panthers bench and punching Matthew Tkachuk in Game 3.
Oilers' Knoblauch undecided on goalie for Gm. 4
Edmonton Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said he hasn't decided if the team will make a change in net ahead of Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final Thursday against the Panthers.
Canadiens' Hutson claims Calder as top rookie
Winning 165 of a possible 191 first-place votes, Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie Tuesday.
Coach Sturm: Bruins fans' passion 'pushes you'
New coach Marco Sturm was introduced by the Bruins on Tuesday, and said the fans' passion can be "difficult" but also "pushes you.".
Oilers' Walman fined $10K for Game 3 incidents
The NHL fined Oilers defenseman Jake Walman $10K on Tuesday over two incidents that happened in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Defense continues to knock E.M.’s claims; verdict set for July 24 in Hockey Canada trial
Judge says verdicts will be delivered in person to the five accused players.
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson wins Calder Trophy as NHL's top rookie
The 21-year-old Michigan native edged out Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf and San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini for the honor.
10th June 2025
Overheard at the NHL draft combine: Draft wild cards, surprises ... and the X factor team
The first round is shaping up to be quite unpredictable. Here's the latest buzz from NHL execs.
For Connor McDavid and the Oilers, a new 'dig in' moment arrives
Following a big loss in Game 3, Connor McDavid intends to let his play do the talking in pivotal Game 4.
Mitch Marner's next contract and the burden of expectations
More money means a higher bar of expectations for Mitch Marner to clear. What does he really want as he hits free agency?.
Vladislav Gavrikov's next contract and the contract-year phenomenon
Gavrikov had an excellent year for the Kings. But how much should teams trust a contract-year performance when making the UFA an offer?.
Free agent stock watch: How the NHL playoffs helped or hindered 10 players' outlooks
Playoff success can add a few millions to a pending UFA's new contract — but postseason struggles can also carve a few millions off.
'It was like a mini NHL': Twenty years ago, a star-laden team won it all in the AHL's greatest season
The 2004-05 Philadelphia Phantoms, with Carter, Richards, Sharp and more, bested other strong teams during the NHL lockout.
The Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett show just keeps rolling, much to the Panthers' advantage
Once Atlantic Division rivals, the pair of forwards are making NHL history with fantastic play through the first three games of the final.
Oilers got pulled into Panthers' Game 3 shenanigans and paid the price. Can they recover?
The Oilers were called for four penalties in the first period of Game 3 alone, and the night didn't improve from there in a dismal 6-1 loss.
Panthers-style hockey dominated Game 3. Is this a turning point in the Stanley Cup Final?
Game 3 was a showcase of vintage Panthers hockey — and an unusually bad night from the Oilers. An aberration, or a sign of what's to come?.
PWHL expansion winners and losers: Vancouver and Seattle reshape the league
With the expansion draft complete, here are some of the biggest winners and losers (beyond the obvious) of the last week of roster building.
NHL Draft 2025 ranking: Matthew Schaefer leads Corey Pronman's top 125 prospects list
The 2025 draft class began to look better as the season went along, but overall, it's still a slightly below-average group.
Panthers clobber Oilers: Grades, key players, big questions for both teams
The score was 6-1, and Florida was in control from the start. Here's how it all happened, and what comes next.
Panthers dominate in rout to seize 2-1 series lead
The Panthers seized control of what had been a tight Stanley Cup Final after two games, dominating the discombobulated Oilers 6-1 in Game 3.
Oilers unravel as 'penalty chaos' reigns in Game 3
In a blowout Game 3 loss, the Oilers took 21 penalties for 85 penalty minutes, pulled their starting goaltender, had a near line-brawl, and one of their players was irritated enough to squirt a stream from his water bottle at the Florida bench.
Stanley Cup Final: Panthers, Oilers break out into major brawl amid Florida's 6-1 win
The Florida Panthers took a 2-1 series lead with a 6-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday night.
Bell goes to Vancouver in PWHL expansion draft
Vancouver chose Ottawa blueliner Ashton Bell with the opening selection of the PWHL's expansion draft Monday night, while Seattle reunited forward Hannah Bilka with former Boston captain Hilary Knight.
Panthers score early and often in penalty-filled Game 3 rout of Oilers: Takeaways
The Panthers scored within the first minute and barely let up after in a dominant Game 3 victory to take a 2-1 series lead.
Ashton Bell goes No. 1 in PWHL expansion draft as Vancouver, Seattle make picks
The PWHL’s two new expansion franchises filled out their rosters in the league’s first-ever expansion draft on Monday.
Capitals star Oshie retires after 16 NHL seasons
T.J. Oshie, who helped the Capitals win the Stanley Cup in 2018, announced Monday he is retiring after playing 16 NHL seasons.
T.J. Oshie announces retirement after 16 NHL seasons
Oshie won the Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals in 2018.
Hard-hitting Greer back for Panthers in Game 3
Forward A.J. Greer will make his Stanley Cup Final debut for the Florida Panthers in Game 3 after not playing since Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals with an undisclosed injury.
Kraken coach Lambert says process key to wins
New Kraken coach Lane Lambert says sticking to process will lead Seattle to success and land the team back in the postseason.
Defense cites 'reliability concerns' of E.M. as closing arguments begin at Hockey Canada trial
Judge in Hockey Canada sexual assault trial expressed surprise at what she called "extremely" quick settlement of 2022 civil lawsuit.
Sublime Stanley Cup Final rolls on tonight. Plus: PWHL expansion draft anticipation
See why the Oilers are saying "enough's enough" heading into Game 3.
9th June 2025
Panthers-Oilers Game 3 preview: Who will take a 2-1 lead?
It's now a best-of-five series. Here are key stats, players and matchups, plus betting intel.
Inside the numbers: Where Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl rank as an all-time playoff duo
Edmonton's superstars are climbing the record books this postseason, passing legends on a near-nightly basis.
Nate Schmidt 'found his fun again' with Panthers en route to sensational playoffs run
It took a while for Schmidt to fully get settled in Florida, but he looks like a new player on the ice.
The 9 most intriguing teams of NHL free agency: What I heard from a buzzy draft combine
Which teams are poised to make big moves over the next few weeks, and for who? Plus, an update on CBA talks.
Sam Bennett's next contract and the price of an NHL playoffs pedigree
Playoff Bennett is a gamer — he is elite. Regular-Season Bennett is a perfectly fine 2C but not much more. So what is that worth?.
Stanley Cup Final observations: Bennett's price tag, McDavid's 'walk-on-water' moment and more
How the numbers reflect how tight this series has been, and could extra rest during the final help Sergei Bobrovsky stay on form?.
The road to the Stanley Cup Final: Ranking the 14 playoff series that got us here
Every postseason, some series surprise us and some live up to every bit of the hype. As the final shifts to Florida, here's how we got here.
PWHL Expansion Draft: How to watch, who's already off the board and players to keep an eye on
Vancouver and Seattle have both signed five players and will draft seven more apiece on Monday night.
NHL Draft Confidential 2025: What insiders think of Matthew Schaefer, goalies and more
After surveying a number of NHL evaluators, here's what they think about the big questions facing this draft class.
2025 NHL Mock Draft 2.0: Scott Wheeler predicts the first 32 picks
After the NHL Scouting Combine, here's Scott Wheeler's second version of a first-round mock for the 2025 NHL Draft.
Panthers' net-front play becoming an issue for Oilers: 'Enough's got to be enough'
The Oilers know they must be careful when it comes to retaliating for contact with Stuart Skinner.
Oilers shrug off 'what-ifs,' turn page after OT loss
The Oilers are leaning on their experience from losing in the Cup Final last year to try to turn the page from an emotional overtime loss in Game 2.
Marchand mulling Florida return, but focus on Cup
Brad Marchand said he has considered re-signing with the Panthers this offseason but stressed that his focus remains on winning the Stanley Cup before making any free agency decisions.
8th June 2025
What's gone right and wrong for Oilers against Panthers in Stanley Cup Final
Let’s look at three areas where Edmonton is doing well and three where it is not as the series is knotted at 1-1 heading into Game 3.
The unlikely connection between Brad Marchand, Corey Perry and 2 Stanley Cup titles
Shawn Thornton, the Panthers' chief revenue officer, won the Cup with both veterans in his career. Now he's watching them chase another.
When players like Tyrese Haliburton hit buzzer-beaters, it can be a sportswriter's nightmare
When someone hits a last-second shot, the moment is chaotic, riveting and pressure-packed, and not only for the athletes.
For No. 3 goalies on Stanley Cup teams, the NHL's least glamorous job still ends in glory
“You feel like you are part of the group, but it’s a little different,” one third-string goaltender for a championship team said.
