All articles tagged with #nhl
NHL referee Garrett Rank captured his fourth Canadian Men's Mid-Amateur Championship by sinking a six-foot par putt on the final hole to win after entering the day two behind and being tied for the lead at 18-under; Evan Nachtigall bogeyed the last to fall short. Rank, who has officiated in the NHL since 2014 and debuted in the Stanley Cup Final last season, sealed the victory with the clutch final-hole par.
The NHL announced a multiyear partnership with Bayern Munich to grow hockey in Germany, adding four regular-season games in coming years (Bruins in Munich in 2027-28 and Oilers in Cologne) after two 2026 Düsseldorf games, plus joint branding, content, and merchandise; Bayern’s massive global following will help expand the NHL’s European footprint, with potential for future outdoor games at the Allianz Arena and further Germany-based events through 2028-29.
An 11th annual fan survey of 32 NHL teams grades front offices across six categories (roster building, cap management, drafting and development, trading, free agency and vision). Carolina Hurricanes sit No. 1, followed by Montreal and Tampa Bay, with the Utah Mammoth in the top five; Buffalo makes the biggest leap, cracking the top 10 from last year’s bottom, while several teams face questions about long-term strategy, cap planning and development as fans weigh recent moves and future potential.
The New York Islanders are No. 9 in The Athletic’s 2026 NHL Pipeline rankings, anchored by Matthew Schaefer as a potential star defenseman, with Kashawn Aitcheson and Malte Gustafsson also strong blue-line prospects. The system isn’t particularly deep down the middle, and the club received a C grade for the 2026 NHL Draft.
NHL.com names the New Jersey Devils’ five top prospects for 2026-27: Anton Silayev (D) is a 6-foot-7 shutdown defender from the KHL who’s expected to push for an NHL job after signing with New Jersey; Alexander Command (F) is a versatile Swedish forward projected as a middle-six center; Lenni Hameenaho (F) is a smart, patient forward who contributed at both the NHL and AHL levels and could be in line for more responsibility this season; Seamus Casey (D) is a mobile right-shot defenseman returning from injury who could earn a roster spot out of training camp; and Mikhail Yegorov (G) is a tall, high-IQ goaltender in college whose pro debut is projected for 2028-29.
The Pittsburgh Penguins re-signed restricted free agent Ville Koivunen to an eight-year, $32 million contract extension ($4 million AAV), a move notable for a player with just 14 NHL points in 47 games. The deal follows a standout AHL season and signals the team’s belief in his potential as they head into a busy off-season with more than $10 million in cap space.
Penguins sign restricted free agent Ville Koivunen to an eight-year contract with an average annual value of $4 million, a long-term bet on his potential as he progresses from Liiga to the AHL and NHL, with Kyle Dubas noting market evolution and emphasizing Koivunen must earn his roster spot in training camp.
Ville Koivunen signed an eight-year, $32 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins (avg. value $4 million), after a productive AHL season and limited NHL impact; Penguins GM Kyle Dubas said the deal is a bet on his potential and warned there are no guarantees Koivunen will crack the lineup in 2026-27, emphasizing he must earn his spot in training camp. The 23-year-old forward was drafted by Carolina in 2021, traded to Pittsburgh in 2024, and has 14 NHL points in 47 games, all with the Penguins.
Penguins re-signed restricted free agent Ville Koivunen to an eight-year contract worth a $4 million AAV through the 2033-34 season, a bold long-term bet after a strong AHL season (41 points in 34 games) and limited NHL production in 2025-26; GM Kyle Dubas views him as a key piece for Pittsburgh's future.
The San Jose Sharks locked up Macklin Celebrini with a five-year, $94 million extension, making him the team’s core for years to come and set to become the NHL’s highest-paid player by AAV ($18.8M) starting in 2027-28. The 20-year-old center had a breakout 115-point season, eclipsing the franchise single-season points record (114) and earning Hart Trophy votes and other accolades. The deal, which includes signing bonuses and a no-move clause, secures Celebrini through 2032 as San Jose pursues a Stanley Cup with him at the center of the roster.
San Jose Sharks star Macklin Celebrini signed a five-year, $94 million extension (about $18.8 million per year), the richest deal in NHL history and locking him up through 2031-32. At age 20, he posted 115 points last season (45 goals, 70 assists) and captained Canada offensively at the Olympics, cementing his status as one of hockey’s top talents. Despite the deal, the Sharks missed the playoffs for the seventh straight year but showed notable improvement, with GM Mike Grier calling Celebrini the franchise centerpiece.
Macklin Celebrini signed a five-year, $94 million extension with the San Jose Sharks ($18.8 million AAV), making him the NHL’s highest-average annual value player and keeping him in San Jose through the 2031-32 season. The 20-year-old posted 45 goals and 115 points last season and helped elevate the Sharks toward a playoff push, while the league braces for a rising salary cap to $113.5 million by 2027-28.
DAZN will become the exclusive direct-to-consumer streaming home for MSG Networks and YES Network in the 2026-27 NHL/NBA seasons, giving Sabres fans in-territory access to live games, 24/7 feeds of MSG and YES networks, on-demand highlights, and multi-device viewing, with Gotham Sports App users migrating to DAZN and pricing details to be announced later. In-market fans can still watch MSG via cable or Fubo, while out-of-market fans can continue to stream Sabres games on ESPN+.
Twenty-year-old Macklin Celebrini signed a five-year, $94 million extension with the San Jose Sharks, averaging $18.8 million per season—the league’s top annual value—after a record-setting 2025-26 season (115 points in 82 games). The deal cements Celebrini as the centerpiece of San Jose’s ongoing rebuild as they aim for a Stanley Cup in coming years.
Patrick Kane returns to the Chicago Blackhawks after more than three years apart, with GM Kyle Davidson saying the move is about improving the team, not nostalgia. Kane says Chicago’s rebuild and a chance to play with young stars like Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar drew him back, and he aims to be a big leader who helps the team win and reach the playoffs, not sign a Disney-caliber ending to his career.