Hockey

Influx of young talent gives Jets a noticeable boost

Ken Wiebe and Mike McIntyre 8 minute read 5:55 PM CDT

A weekly lap around the NHL by Free Press hockey writers Ken Wiebe and Mike McIntyre

The paths couldn’t have been more different, even if the destination ended up being the same.

Viggo Bjorck is the can’t-miss prospect — a Top-10 pick with a clear path to The Show. Though it’s evident he hasn’t taken a single step in this process for granted.

Tyrel Bauer is the rough-and-tumble long shot, a sixth-round pick whose uphill battle to graduate to the highest level has featured a ton of scar tissue, both literally and metaphorically.

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Penguins F Andrei Kuzmenko switches jersey to No. 62 to honor father killed in bear attack in Russia

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Penguins F Andrei Kuzmenko switches jersey to No. 62 to honor father killed in bear attack in Russia

The Associated Press 2 minute read 5:10 PM CDT

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (AP) — Pittsburgh Penguins forward Andrei Kuzmenko is changing his jersey number to 62 to honor his father Alexander, who died in a bear attack in Russia last week at age 62.

Andrei Kuzmenko returned to practice with the Penguins on Friday for the first time since returning from his father's funeral in Moscow.

The 30-year-old Kuzmenko, who signed a one-year, $5 million contract with Pittsburgh over the summer, also offered a brief statement outlining his understanding of what happened to his dad while on a fishing trip in the Tyva section of Siberia.

“My father go permit fishing with friends, and he stayed in the water," Andrei Kuzmenko said. “And bear (stand) behind him and attack. And my father fight (the) bear one hour, 10 minutes and he still lived after two days.”

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5:10 PM CDT

‘I think it’s coaching’: Babcock takes blame for Oilers’ defensive struggles

John Korobanik, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

‘I think it’s coaching’: Babcock takes blame for Oilers’ defensive struggles

John Korobanik, The Canadian Press 4 minute read 4:05 PM CDT

EDMONTON - Scoring goals is not a problem for the Connor McDavid-led Edmonton Oilers. Keeping the puck out of their net is another matter, despite new coach Mike Babcock stressing defence throughout training camp.

Defensive weakness was an issue much of last season for the Oilers and the early returns have been similar in 2026-27. Edmonton scored 14 goals in its first two games, taking three of four possible points against the Vancouver Canucks, but gave up 13.

“I think it’s coaching. I think it’s coaching,” Babcock said when asked after practice Friday morning about the Oilers’ defensive issues.

“Do I want to give up all those goals? No. Not really interested in that, but the bottom line is it gives us something to work on and get better,” he said. “If it wasn’t this early, I might be (worried), but we’ll get back to work and worry about it later.”

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4:05 PM CDT

Hockey

No Canadians elected to world hockey governing body; Turkey, New Zealand represented

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

No Canadians elected to world hockey governing body; Turkey, New Zealand represented

The Canadian Press 2 minute read 11:58 AM CDT

No Canadians have been elected to the International Ice Hockey Federation's council, a surprising result for a nation considered one of the sport's powerhouses.

Hockey Canada president and chief executive officer Katherine Henderson was up for one of the minimum three female spots on council at Friday's election at the IIHF's semi-annual congress in Tenerife, Spain.

Henderson was eliminated in the second of three rounds of voting. Hungary's Zsuzsanna Kolbenheyer, Turkey's Merve Tunali and Poland's Marta Zawadzka won the council seats.

Canada will be represented regionally on the council by American Mike Trimboli, who was elected vice-president for the Americas and Oceania after running unopposed. He replaces former Hockey Canada president and CEO Bob Nicholson, who had held the role since 2012 but did not seek re-election. Former Hockey Canada president Murray Costello served as vice-president for five years before Nicholson took over.

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11:58 AM CDT

Hockey

In this photo provided by the New York Racing Association, Gaudreau, a horse named after late NHL player Johnny Gaudreau, wins his first race, with jockey Flavien Prat aboard, at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York, on Aug. 8, 2026. (Coglianese Photos/New York Racing Association via AP)

There are two horses named in memory of Johnny Gaudreau and they’re running in the same race

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

There are two horses named in memory of Johnny Gaudreau and they’re running in the same race

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 5 minute read Updated: 12:47 PM CDT

Because he grew up playing hockey with and against Johnny Gaudreau in their teenage years, Vincent Conanan talks about the late NHL star plenty. He gets chills when old text messages from Gaudreau show up when he's searching his phone.

Conanan buys thoroughbred yearlings annually for his Next Level Stables, and after his young son kept asking about the player known as “Johnny Hockey,” he pledged to name a racehorse after Gaudreau. After going to school in the Columbus, Ohio, area where Gaudreau played his final two seasons with the Blue Jackets, Devon Bradley of Bradley Thoroughbreds had the same idea.

On Saturday, the horses — Johnny Hockey and Gaudreau — will run in the same race at Belmont Park.

“Is that not bananas?” Bradley said.

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Updated: 12:47 PM CDT

Hockey

Montreal Victoire players pose for a team photo after defeating the Ottawa Charge to win the PWHL Walter Cup final in Ottawa on May 20, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

PWHL establishes Eastern and Western conferences, expands to eight-team playoffs

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

PWHL establishes Eastern and Western conferences, expands to eight-team playoffs

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Updated: 2:39 PM CDT

TORONTO - An off-season of growth continued for the Professional Women’s Hockey League on Friday as it announced plans for a new conference structure and expanded playoff format for the upcoming season.

With four expansion teams set to hit the ice, the 12-team league released a Dec. 5-April 18 regular-season schedule that includes a three-round post-season.

The developments came after some high-profile announcements in recent days. The PWHL will make its debut on the CBC's "Hockey Night in Canada" this fall and will host its inaugural PWHL All-Star event in Toronto in March.

"I think it's just kind of like a perfect storm right now for our league and it's exciting to take advantage of that," said New York Sirens forward Sarah Fillier, who won Olympic gold for Canada in 2022.

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Updated: 2:39 PM CDT

Hockey

Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks take lessons from high-scoring games

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks take lessons from high-scoring games

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 5 minute read 6:00 AM CDT

VANCOUVER - Neither the Vancouver Canucks nor the Edmonton Oilers were entirely happy with their first two games of the season.

The high-scoring affairs between the two sides provided hockey fans ample entertainment, while players and coaches got ample lessons for the long NHL season ahead.

"No one is in here (saying), you know, 'Way to go!'" Oilers captain Connor McDavid said Thursday after his team outlasted the Canucks for a 9-7 win in Vancouver.

"Obviously we understand the game has got to look a little bit different. But I thought the first 40 (minutes) is what it could look like a lot of the time, and what it should look like a lot of the time."

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6:00 AM CDT

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Hockey

Sour start to Flames’ final season at the Saddledome, doused 6-1 by Kraken

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Sour start to Flames’ final season at the Saddledome, doused 6-1 by Kraken

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press 5 minute read 6:00 AM CDT

CALGARY - Embarrassing, unacceptable, ugly and warts were the Calgary Flames' own descriptors of what was going to be an occasion at the Saddledome.

A team intending to take a step forward and score more goals in 2026-27 dropped their final season-opener at the Saddledome with a 6-1 loss to the Seattle Kraken on Thursday.

Red T-shirts commemorating the farewell season at the Saddledome on every seat for fans and a soaring pre-game video montage of the 43-year-old building's greatest moments made for a celebratory start to the game. The Flames will move to Scotia Place next year.

But the sparkle began leaving the arena when the Kraken scored twice in a 32-second span nine minutes after puck drop. Another Seattle goal with 30 seconds left in the period further dampened the vibe.

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6:00 AM CDT

Hockey

Franz Reindl takes over as International Ice Hockey Federation president in close vote

The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: 5:52 AM CDT

ZURICH (AP) — German official Franz Reindl has been elected president of the International Ice Hockey Federation by just three votes after incumbent Luc Tardif chose not to run.

Reindl beat Petr Bříza 60-57 in a runoff vote on the Spanish island of Tenerife between two former players who both won Olympic medals on the ice.

Reindl had been behind Bříza 48-36 in the first round but picked up crucial votes after Aivaz Omorkanov of Kyrgyzstan was eliminated.

Reindl was a forward on the West Germany team which beat the United States and Finland to the bronze medal in 1976, while Bříza was a goaltender when Czechoslovakia won bronze in 1992.

Hockey

Connor McDavid has a goal and four assists as the Oilers hang on to beat the Canucks 9-7

The Associated Press 2 minute read 12:30 AM CDT

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Connor McDavid scored a goal and had four assists as the Edmonton Oilers built a six-goal lead and held on for a 9-7 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night.

Evan Bouchard had a goal and two assists for the Oilers to become the first defenseman in NHL history with eight points (four goals, four assists) in his first two games of the season. He had three goals and two assists in the Oilers' season-opening 6-5 loss to the Canucks on Tuesday night.

Edmonton got two goals and an assist from Leon Draisaitl, and one of each from Vasily Podkolzin and Kasperi Kapanen. Owen Michaels scored his first NHL goal and Ryan Shea scored his first in an Oilers’ uniform.

Devon Levi made his first NHL start since Jan. 20, 2025 when he was a member of the Buffalo Sabres, and stopped 15 shots.

Hockey

San Jose Sharks center Will Smith (2) celebrates with teammate Macklin Celebrini (71) after scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers during the second period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

Luca Cagnoni scores in OT in the Sharks’ season-opening victory over the Panthers

Kenzo Fukuda, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Luca Cagnoni scores in OT in the Sharks’ season-opening victory over the Panthers

Kenzo Fukuda, The Associated Press 2 minute read 12:27 AM CDT

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Luca Cagnoni rocketed a shot off goalie Akira Schmid at 3:14 of overtime and the San Jose Sharks opened the season with a 4-3 victory over the Florida Panthers on Thursday night.

Florida overcame a three-goal deficit to force overtime, with Eetu Luostarinen scoring twice and Matthew Tkachuk pulling the Panthers even at 5:18 of the third. Luostarinen and Tkachuk scored in a 17-second span.

Mason Marchment opened the scoring for San Jose with 5:40 to go in the first period. Will Smith scored twice in the second period, the first short-handed and the second on a power play, both off assists from Macklin Celebrini. Smith and Celebrini each had three-point nights.

Sharks goalie Yaroslav Askarov made 23 saves.

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12:27 AM CDT

Hockey

Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) scores on Vancouver Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen (32) as Elias Pettersson (40) tires to help defend on the play during second period NHL hockey action in Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam

McDavid puts up five points, Edmonton Oilers outlast Vancouver Canucks for 9-7 win

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

McDavid puts up five points, Edmonton Oilers outlast Vancouver Canucks for 9-7 win

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 3 minute read 12:00 AM CDT

VANCOUVER - Connor McDavid scored his first goal of the season and tallied four assists as the Edmonton Oilers outlasted the Vancouver Canucks for a wild 9-7 victory on Thursday.

Evan Bouchard had a three-point night with a goal and two assists for the Oilers (1-0-1), and became the first defenceman in NHL history with eight points (four goals, four assists) through his team's first two games of the season.

Edmonton got two goals and an assist from Leon Draisaitl, and one of each from Vasily Podkolzin and Kasperi Kapanen. Owen Michaels also found the back of the net for his first NHL tally and Ryan Shea scored his first in an Oilers' uniform.

Devon Levi made his first NHL start since Jan. 20, 2025 when he was a member of the Buffalo Sabres, and stopped 15 of the 22 shots he faced.

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12:00 AM CDT

Hockey

Utah Mammoth right wing Dylan Guenther (11) scores against Chicago Blackhawks goalie Arvid Soderblom (40) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

Guenther has 2 power-play goals in the Mammoth’s 6-0 victory over the Blackhawks

John Coon, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Guenther has 2 power-play goals in the Mammoth’s 6-0 victory over the Blackhawks

John Coon, The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 11:23 PM CDT

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Dylan Guenther scored two power-play goals, Karel Vejmelka made 15 saves and the Utah Mammoth opened the season with a 6-0 romp over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night.

Clayton Keller assisted on both power-play goals. Michael Carcone, Nick Schmaltz, Anders Lee and Daniil But also scored to help the Mammoth beat the Blackhawks in a season opener for the second time in three seasons.

Chicago generated only nine shots on goal over the first two periods. Arvid Soderblom had 26 saves for the Blackhawks. They lost their second straight after falling 5-2 at Vegas on Tuesday night.

Utah opened the scoring on Guenther’s first power play goal with 3:19 left in the first period. Carcone made it a two-goal lead for the Mammoth 40 seconds later, flicking a wrist shot over Soderblom’s elbow.

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Yesterday at 11:23 PM CDT

Hockey

Shesterkin makes Rangers history with a goalie goal in 5-1 win over Lightning

The Associated Press 9 minute read Preview

Shesterkin makes Rangers history with a goalie goal in 5-1 win over Lightning

The Associated Press 9 minute read Updated: 12:36 AM CDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Igor Shesterkin became the first New York Rangers goalie to score when he lofted the puck the length of the ice into an empty net, capping a 5-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night.

A year after failing to score in their first three home games last season, the Rangers wasted little time preventing a repeat performance, getting a goal from Mika Zibanejad less than six minutes into their Madison Square Garden opener.

Pavel Dorofeyev and Eeli Tolvanen each scored his first goal with his new team, and top prospect-turned-important contributor Gabe Perreault deflected in a shot by No. 1 defenseman Adam Fox.

Shesterkin scored with 2:34 remaining, becoming the 18th goalie in NHL history with a goal. The first of his career was the 21st by a player at the position, counting the playoffs.

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Updated: 12:36 AM CDT

Hockey

Dunn’s three-point night spurs Seattle Kraken to 6-1 win over Calgary Flames

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Dunn’s three-point night spurs Seattle Kraken to 6-1 win over Calgary Flames

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Yesterday at 10:59 PM CDT

CALGARY - Vince Dunn scored and had two assists for the Seattle Kraken in a 6-1 win over the Calgary Flames on Thursday.

The Kraken earned their first season-opening road win (1-2-1) in their six-year history.

The Flames dropped their final home-opener at the Saddledome. The team will move to Scotia Place next year after 44 years in the Saddledome.

Jordan Eberle, Frederick Gaudreau, Chandler Stephenson, Matty Beniers and Kaapo Kakko also scored for Seattle.

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Yesterday at 10:59 PM CDT

Hockey

Florida Panthers' Aleksander Barkov (16) battles for the puck between Carolina Hurricanes' Jordan Staal, left, and Nikolaj Ehlers (27) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov leaves against Sharks because of apparent knee injury

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov leaves against Sharks because of apparent knee injury

The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: 12:36 AM CDT

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Florida captain Aleksander Barkov left in the second period of the Panthers' 4-3 overtime loss to San Jose on Thursday night after his left knee appeared to buckle during a scrum with Sharks defender Darnell Nurse and forward Zack Ostapchuk along the boards.

Barkov immediately left the ice, throwing his glove on the ground as he headed into the tunnel.

After the game, Florida coach Paul Maurice did not specify the type injury Barkov suffered, but said the team would know the extent of the severity Friday.

“It’s not related to his injury last year at all,” Maurice said. “We’ll have a good idea by tomorrow afternoon.”

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Updated: 12:36 AM CDT

October 2, 2026

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