Chicago Blackhawks Sign Connor Bedard To Team-Friendly Extension

In the new NHL world of healthy salary cap increases year-over-year, it appears the Chicago Blackhawks were able to sign Connor Bedard to a very team-friendly contract extension. Bedard signed a 5-year, $75-million contract ($15-million AAV) that begins in the 2026-27 season. The story is here.

Abbotsford Canucks Name Ryan Papaioannou As New Head Coach

The AHL's Abbotsford Canucks have hired Ryan Papaioannou as their new head coach. Papaioannou enjoyed a very strong season as a rookie pro head coach in 2025-26 with the ECHL's Wheeling Nailers, where he posted a 46-20-6 regular season record and guided the Nailers to the Eastern Conference Finals. The story is here.

Topeka Scarecrows Aid In Return Of Youth Hockey To Topeka

The FPHL's Topeka Scarecrows have joined with the Bison Ice Sports Association to return youth hockey to the city for the first time in 16 years. The story is here. 

NHL Off-Season Grades.......So Far

Here are the NHL off-season grades so far, by Bleacher Report. Getting 'A' grades and leading the off-season transaction race at this point are the Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, Utah Mammoth and Washington Capitals. The Montreal Canadiens were just behind those teams with an 'A-'. The teams with the worst off-season so far include the Anaheim Ducks, New York Islanders, Seattle Kraken, St. Louis Blues and Vegas Golden Knights, all with 'D' grades. The Edmonton Oilers were slightly better than those teams with a 'D+' grade. The story is here. 

Memorial Cup-Winning Coach Named Head Coach Of Colorado Eagles

2026 Memorial Cup-winning coach Jussi Ahokas has left the Kitchener Rangers to become the head coach of the AHL's Colorado Eagles. The story is here. 

A Look At The NHL 2025-26 Overall Standings In Wins And Losses

A look below at the NHL 2025-26 overall standings in wins and losses (not including the loser point for overtime/shootout loss and just in terms of wins and losses):

1. Colorado Avalanche (55 wins/27 losses) 

2. Carolina Hurricanes (53 wins/29 losses)

3. Dallas Stars (50 wins/32 losses) 

4. Buffalo Sabres (50 wins/32 losses)

5. Tampa Bay Lightning (50 wins/32 losses)

6. Montreal Canadiens (48 wins/34 losses)

7. Minnesota Wild (46 wins/36 losses)

8. Boston Bruins (45 wins/37 losses)

9. Ottawa Senators (44 wins/38 losses)

10. Philadelphia Flyers (43 wins/39 losses)

11. Washington Capitals (43 wins/39 losses)

12. Utah Mammoth (43 wins/39 losses)

13. Anaheim Ducks (43 wins/39 losses)

14. New York Islanders (43 wins/39 losses)

15. New Jersey Devils (42 wins/40 losses)

16. Pittsburgh Penguins (41 wins/41 losses)

17. Edmonton Oilers (41 wins/41 losses)

18. Detroit Red Wings (41 wins/41 losses)

19. Columbus Blue Jackets (40 wins/42 losses)

20. Florida Panthers (40 wins/42 losses)

21. Vegas Golden Knights (39 wins/43 losses)

22. San Jose Sharks (39 wins/43 losses)

23. Nashville Predators (38 wins/44 losses)

24. St. Louis Blues (37 wins/45 losses)

25. Los Angeles Kings (35 wins/47 losses)

26. Winnipeg Jets (35 wins/47 losses)

27. Seattle Kraken (34 wins/48 losses)

28. Calgary Flames (34 wins/48 losses)

29. New York Rangers (34 wins/48 losses)

30. Toronto Maple Leafs (32 wins/50 losses)

31. Chicago Blackhawks (29 wins/53 losses)

32. Vancouver Canucks (25 wins/57 losses)

 

Detroit Red Wings Could Become Analytics Focused Under POHO And GM Structure

The Detroit Red Wings could be on the verge of focusing on analytics under a president of hockey operations and general manager front office structure. There's more here.