June 12, 2025
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar has won his second James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman. He joins Bobby Orr (8), Denis Potvin (3), Paul Coffey (3), Rod Langway (2), and Erik Karlsson (2) as players who have won multiple Norris Trophies before turning 27. Makar, who claimed his first Norris Trophy in 2021-22, received 176 of the 191 first-place votes and 1,861 voting points, finishing ahead of Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks. It was yet another impressive campaign for Makar, who led all defensemen in goals (30), assists (62), and points (92). He has averaged at least a point per game for five consecutive seasons, making him a unique player among rearguards.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
June 12, 2025
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson has won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's best rookie this season. He earned 165 of a possible 191 first-place votes and totaled 1,832 points, finishing ahead of Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf and San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini. Hutson, who turned 21 in February, had a truly special campaign, tying an NHL rookie record among defensemen with 60 assists. Over 82 appearances, he also had six goals, while producing 91 shots on goal and blocking 123 attempts from the opposition. Following a breakout campaign, Hutson looks poised to make a mark in fantasy hockey for years to come.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
June 12, 2025
Calgary Flames right wing Adam Klapka has signed a two-year extension with the team. The deal is worth $2.5 million, giving Klapka's contract an average annual value of $1.25 million. Before signing the contract, Klapka was set to become a restricted free agent on July 1. Klapka has been a prolific scorer in the AHL and showed potential in the big league this season. He notched 10 points (six goals, four assists) over 31 outings while dishing out 108 hits. In the fall, Klapka will look to build on a strong finish to the campaign, as he racked up six points (three goals, three assists) over his last eight regular-season appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
June 12, 2025
Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (undisclosed) will once again be a game-time decision on Thursday against the Florida Panthers. The veteran is managing an undisclosed injury and was also a game-time call for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Nugent-Hopkins suited up on Monday night but logged only 15:30 of ice time, four minutes less than his postseason average. Monday's matchup marked a fourth consecutive game without a point for Nugent-Hopkins, who has tallied 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) in 19 games overall in the playoffs. Jeff Skinner, who has produced a goal and an assist over two postseason appearances, is ready to slide into the lineup if Nugent-Hopkins cannot play in Thursday's contest.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
June 10, 2025
Edmonton Oilers right wing Corey Perry took care of the team's consolation goal in Monday's 6-1 defeat to the Florida Panthers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Perry's ninth marker of the postseason cut the deficit to one early in the second period. However, Sam Reinhart responded just 1:20 later, and the Panthers went on to secure a comfortable victory. Zach Hyman's (wrist) absence has given Perry a first-line role, and the veteran has been one of Edmonton's top performers in the Finals. Leading up to Game 4, he's enjoying a five-game point streak, having scored in four of those contests. Throughout the entire postseason, Perry has accumulated 13 points (nine goals, four assists) in 19 outings.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
June 10, 2025
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner was pulled in Monday's Game 3 loss against the Florida Panthers, allowing five goals on 23 shots in a 6-1 defeat. Brad Marchand needed just 56 seconds to beat Skinner at the start of the game, and Florida ended up dominating the entire night. Skinner has now allowed five goals in back-to-back games, and at least three pucks have slipped past him in four straight contests. With this in mind, it wouldn't be surprising if the Oilers made another goalie change for Game 4 against the Panthers. Calvin Pickard, who was beaten once on eight shots Monday, is a strong alternative option, having remained unbeaten in six starts this postseason.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
June 10, 2025
Florida Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues finished Monday's 6-1 triumph against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals with two points. He assisted Carter Verhaeghe on the game-winning goal and completed the scoring himself. Rodrigues notched both of his points on the power play. Monday's prolific performance gives Rodrigues a four-game point streak. He has reached peak form at just the right moment, and his stretch of one point in the first seven games of the postseason has been entirely forgotten. Sitting on 15 points (two goals, 13 assists) through 18 appearances, Rodrigues now only needs to add one more point to his total to set a new scoring record for a single postseason campaign.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
June 10, 2025
Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart registered a goal and an assist in Monday's one-sided 6-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals. The 29-year-old scored Florida's third goal early in the second period and completed his multi-point outing with a power-play assist in the fourth. This gave Reinhart the same number of points he had managed over his previous five outings. For the playoffs, Reinhart boasts 15 points (five points, 10 assists) in 18 appearances. His production has fallen off late in the postseason. Fortunately for the Panthers, several other players have raised their performance, and the defending champions now lead the series against Edmonton 2-1.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
June 10, 2025
Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett notched the team's fourth goal in Monday's big 6-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers, becoming the first player in franchise history to score in four consecutive playoff games. Bennett's night included a team-high six hits and 14 penalty minutes. The Panthers have received outstanding production from Bennett throughout the postseason, as the 28-year-old has scored 14 goals and 20 points in 20 games. Strangely, he has scored only two home goals in the playoffs. Bennett has the chance to add to this total in Game 4 when the teams face off again in Sunrise on Thursday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
June 10, 2025
Florida Panthers left wing Brad Marchand scored for the third consecutive game as the team whipped the Edmonton Oilers 6-1 in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals on Monday night. The veteran forward opened the scoring less than a minute into the game, hitting his eighth goal of the postseason. Only Matthew Tkachuk (11) and Dave Lowry (10) have managed more goals during their first playoff campaign with the Panthers. Florida has hit the jackpot with the acquisition of Marchand, who has been one of the team's best players this postseason. With 20 games played, Marchand boasts 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) and 32 hits while carrying a plus-15 rating.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
June 9, 2025
Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (undisclosed) is expected to play in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers on Monday night. Per Dan Rosen of NHL.com, Nugent-Hopkins took pregame line rushes in his usual spot on the top line next to Connor McDavid and Corey Perry. The veteran forward has experienced considerable success in this role in the playoffs, averaging a point per game over 18 outings, though Nugent-Hopkins has been held scoreless in the first two matchups against the Panthers.
--Taavi PailkSource: Dan Rosen
June 9, 2025
Washington Capitals right wing T.J. Oshie (back) announced his retirement on Monday. He sat out the entire 2024-25 campaign due to a chronic back problem and has now decided to call it a day for good. Oshie spent 16 seasons in the NHL, posting 695 points (302 goals, 393 assists) in 1010 regular-season outings. He started out with the St. Louis Blues before moving to Washington in 2015. Oshie, who turned 38 in December, won the Stanley Cup with the Capitals in 2019. This season marks the end of Oshie's eight-year, $46 million contract he signed with the Capitals in June 2017. The veteran forward spent the season on Long-Term Injured Reserve.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
June 9, 2025
Florida Panthers left wing A.J. Greer (lower body) has been cleared to play in Monday's Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Edmonton Oilers. Greer's return will push Jesper Boqvist out of the lineup. In the 2025 playoffs, Greer has formed an impactful fourth line with Jonah Gadjovich and Tomas Nosek. He has scored two goals and three points in 12 appearances while averaging 3.75 hits per game. The Panthers have lost only two postseason games this year with Greer in the lineup, making the 28-year-old somewhat of a talisman for the team despite his limited role.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
June 9, 2025
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Daniil Tarasov is wrapping up a three-year, $3.15 million contract this season, but it seems he wants to remain in Ohio. The Russian netminder, who is a pending restricted free agent, told Daria Tuboltseva of RG that he has begun negotiations on an extension with the Blue Jackets. Tarasov, a third-round draft pick by Columbus in 2017, has made 61 starts with the team, going 19-34-6. He finished the 2024-25 campaign with a record of 7-10-2 and posted a 3.54 goals-against average with a .881 save percentage and one shutout. Tarasov has not had a fun time in the NHL, but he told Tuboltseva that he is not considering a return to the KHL. The Blue Jackets already have two goalies locked up for next season in Elvis Merzlikins and Jet Greaves.
--Taavi PailkSource: Daria Tuboltseva
June 9, 2025
New York Islanders left wing Anthony Duclair (personal) will likely be back with the team next season. He missed the end of 2024-25 due to a personal leave. The 29-year-old left the team after Islanders head coach Patrick Roy publicly criticized him. Roy, who will remain in charge of the Islanders next season, called Duclair's play "god-awful" and said he was "lucky" to be in the lineup. The two clearly have issues to work out, but Duclair has a clean slate with new general manager Mathieu Darche. In an interview with Andrew Gross of Newsday, Darche mentioned that he had spoken with Duclair, adding that he hopes to have him ready for training camp. Duclair was a 30-goal scorer with the Florida Panthers just three years ago, but finished the 2024-25 campaign with only 11 points (seven goals, four assists) in 44 games. He should be regarded as a very risky choice during fantasy drafts in the fall.
--Taavi PailkSource: Andrew Gross
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