Canadiens center prospect Oliver Kapanen signed a two-year deal with Swedish Hockey League club Timrå IK back in May. He’s already made quite an impression on his new head coach, longtime NHLer Olli Jokinen, who showered the 21-year-old with praise in a recent interview with Marco D’Amico of Responsible Gambling. In fact, Jokinen’s been so pleased with Kapanen’s play during the … [Read more...] about East Notes: Kapanen, Kolosov, Mercer
Marc Staal Retires, Joins Rangers As Development Coach
Veteran defenseman Marc Staal has announced his retirement after 17 seasons. He’s immediately beginning his front office career with the Rangers as a player development assistant, the team announced. For Staal, it’s a return to where his NHL career began nearly two decades ago. The No. 12 pick in the 2005 draft by the Rangers, he was the third Staal brother to reach the NHL, … [Read more...] about Marc Staal Retires, Joins Rangers As Development Coach
Devils Sign Jakub Zboril, Michael Hutchinson To PTOs
The Devils have officially signed defenseman Jakub Zboril and goaltender Michael Hutchinson to professional tryout agreements, the team announced today in a pair of press releases. Zboril, the No. 13 overall pick by the Bruins in 2015, didn’t see any NHL action last season for the first time since 2019-20. He was waived following training camp and assigned to the AHL’s … [Read more...] about Devils Sign Jakub Zboril, Michael Hutchinson To PTOs
Rangers Notes: Smith, Trouba, Kakko
Recently acquired New York Rangers forward Reilly Smith appears likely to get an early season opportunity alongside forwards Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad (as per Peter Baugh of The Athletic). The former Stanley Cup Champion had a down year last season in Pittsburgh posting 13 goals and 27 assists in 76 games but is just a year removed from tallying 26 goals and 30 assists … [Read more...] about Rangers Notes: Smith, Trouba, Kakko
East Notes: Demidov, Crosby, Mercer
One of Ivan Demidov’s countrymen is optimistic the top-five pick will have a strong run of success in Montreal. Former Canadiens winger Alexander Radulov spoke to Sergey Demidov of Responsible Gambling about the 2024 fifth-overall pick and said Demidov will be “having a blast” when he likely begins his NHL career in the closing days of the 2024-25 season. “Yes, he will be … [Read more...] about East Notes: Demidov, Crosby, Mercer