hockey - The Latremie Post

Maple Leafs Debut Surprising New Lines After Bad Loss

The Toronto Maple Leafs are back in action on Friday night against the Buffalo Sabres. This game comes after a 5-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils, a contest marked by a particularly rough second period that ultimately cost them the game.

### Line Combinations Shaken Up at Practice

When the team hit the ice for practice on October 23rd, head coach Craig Berube made significant changes to the line combinations, throwing the usual trios and duos into a blender. The result was a series of surprising new groupings that are sure to raise a few eyebrows among fans.

### Craig Berube Completely Shuffles the Top-Six

Some of the most notable shifts occurred within the top-six forward group. In their recent loss to the Devils, the top line featured Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies, and Max Domi. The second line centered John Tavares with Matias Maccelli and William Nylander on the wings.

At practice on October 23, the top six looked like this:
– Bobby McMann
– Auston Matthews
– William Nylander
– Matthew Knies
– John Tavares
– Matias Maccelli

Bobby McMann has previously skated alongside Matthews this season, logging 3:13 together with Knies on the opposite wing. McMann’s strong scoring rate at even strength since the start of the 2023-24 season makes this new arrangement promising.

Shifting Knies down to the second line with Maccelli and Tavares also seems like a smart move. Knies can take on the role of finisher, benefiting from Tavares and Maccelli’s playmaking abilities.

### Bottom-Six Forwards and Extras

The third and fourth lines saw some adjustments as well, though not as dramatic as the top two lines. Nic Roy and Dakota Joshua remained on the third line, while Steve Lorentz and Calle Jarnkrok continued as a pair on the fourth line.

Easton Cowan was inserted into the lineup, replacing the promoted Bobby McMann. This change resulted in Nick Robertson being shifted out of the lineup and Max Domi dropping down to center the new fourth line.

Head coach Craig Berube has praised Cowan’s work ethic, making his return to the lineup a reasonable decision. However, choosing to bench Robertson while the organization is actively trying to trade him raises some curiosity.

### Defensive Pairings Adjusted Without Chris Tanev

Earlier on Thursday, October 23, 2025, the Maple Leafs announced that defenseman Chris Tanev had been placed on injured reserve retroactive to October 21, 2025. Following this move, the team recalled Dakota Mermis from the Toronto Marlies.

Here were the defense pairings observed at practice:
– Jake McCabe – Brandon Carlo
– Dakota Mermis – Erik Ekman-Larsson
– Simon Benoit – Philippe Myers

Mermis skated on what is believed to be Morgan Rielly’s pairing, although Rielly himself was absent from practice, according to David Alter of The Hockey News.

Jake McCabe, who was previously paired with Tanev, has most frequently partnered with Brandon Carlo since Tanev’s injury. Simon Benoit and Philippe Myers formed the third defensive pairing. If this setup holds for Friday’s game, it will mark Myers’ first appearance this season. Last year, Myers recorded five points in 36 games, averaging 16:14 of ice time per game.

### What to Expect Moving Forward

It’s not surprising to see these new defensive and forward pairings given the circumstances around Tanev’s injury. How long these combinations last remains to be seen, but it will be interesting to monitor the team’s chemistry and performance once the puck drops on Friday night against Buffalo.
https://heavy.com/sports/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/surprising-lines-william-nylander-bobby-mcmann/

3 least impressive Vancouver Canucks players 5-1 shellacking by Pittsburgh Penguins ft. Kevin Lankinen

The Vancouver Canucks suffered a heavy defeat on Tuesday night, falling 5-1 to the Pittsburgh Penguins at the PPG Paints Arena.

From the opening puck drop, the Penguins dominated the game, showcasing strong offensive pressure and solid defense. The Canucks struggled to keep pace, ultimately succumbing to the Penguins’ relentless attack.

This loss marks a challenging moment for Vancouver as they look to regroup and bounce back in their upcoming games. Fans will be hoping for a stronger performance in the next matchup.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/nhl/3-least-impressive-vancouver-canucks-players-5-1-shellacking-pittsburgh-penguins-ft-kevin-lankinen

Golden Knights captain Mark Stone considered week-to-week due to wrist injury

Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone is considered week-to-week with a wrist injury, coach Bruce Cassidy said Monday. Stone was injured in the third period of the Golden Knights’ 6-1 win over Calgary on Saturday.

This season, Stone has accumulated 13 points (two goals, 11 assists), just two points behind teammate and NHL leader Jack Eichel, who leads with 15 points.

“I feel for him,” Cassidy said. “He’s always bounced back well, that’s the good news. When we do get him back, whether that’s short, medium, or long term, we don’t know yet.”

In Stone’s absence, Brandon Saad will move to the top line, joining Eichel and Ivan Barbashev, who will shift to right wing. On the power play, Stone had contributed eight points, helping Vegas rank second in the league.

Mitch Marner will take over Stone’s role at the goal line on the power play, while defenseman Shea Theodore will be promoted to the top unit.

The Knights, currently holding a 4-0-2 record, are preparing for their toughest test of the young season. They will face the undefeated Carolina Hurricanes (5-0-0) at home, despite being short-handed among their forward lines and blue line.

Stone joins forward Brett Howden and defenseman Noah Hanifin on the injured list. Howden, sidelined with a lower-body injury, has resumed skating but will not be available against the Hurricanes. Hanifin remains out with an undisclosed injury and has not resumed skating since Vegas’ 6-5 shootout loss to Los Angeles in the season opener.
http://lasvegassun.com//news/2025/oct/20/golden-knights-captain-mark-stone-considered-week/

Vegas and Jack Eichel agree on an 8-year, $108 million contract extension, AP source says

Jack Eichel and the Vegas Golden Knights have agreed to terms on an eight-year contract extension worth $108 million, according to a person familiar with the deal. Eichel will count $13.5 million against the salary cap from the time the new contract kicks in for the 2026-27 season through 2034.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the extension had not been announced.

The soon-to-be 29-year-old center is the latest high-profile player to re-up with his current team after Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov inked the richest deal in league history at $136 million over eight years. Connor McDavid opted to stay in Edmonton on a short-term deal without a raise from his current $12.5 million salary, and Kyle Connor re-signed in Winnipeg for the maximum eight years at $12 million annually.

Eichel is coming off setting career highs with 66 assists and 94 points last season, when the Golden Knights finished first in the Pacific Division. He helped them win the Stanley Cup in 2023. His representatives and Vegas’ front office reached the agreement roughly six hours before the start of the season.

Asked before training camp opened if he would shut down negotiations once meaningful games got going, Eichel brushed off the question.

“If a contract happens organically, then it happens,” Eichel said last month in Las Vegas at the NHL/NHLPA preseason player media tour. “You can only control so much, right, and that’s sort of in my mindset. What are the things that I focus on? Preparing for the season, getting my mind and body in the best place to be successful and help our hockey team. That’s more so my focus. I think anything else sort of just takes care of itself when you do your job well.”

Eichel was the second pick in the 2015 draft by Buffalo. He played his first five-plus seasons for the Sabres before a dispute over surgery to repair his neck injury led to a trade to Vegas in 2021.

Since undergoing artificial disk replacement, Eichel has produced above a point-a-game level for the Knights. He was the No. 1 center for the U.S. at the 4 Nations Face-Off and was already named to the Olympic team.

___
AP NHL
https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/2025/10/08/vegas-and-jack-eichel-agree-on-an-8-year-108-million-contract-extension-ap-source-says

“Montreal would do everything in its power to obtain Sidney Crosby”

The Canadiens aren’t necessarily the favourites to win the Stanley Cup, we agree, but if Sidney Crosby were to come to town, it would be a game-changer.

Without necessarily being the favourites, I wouldn’t dare put my money on Martin St-Louis’ team. In any case, Darren Dreger told the Barn Burner podcast yesterday that Montreal would do whatever was possible to get Crosby in town.

Many teams would move heaven and earth to get the Penguins’ captain, but with the Habs, it’s probably even truer. Crosby grew up in Halifax and was a Habs fan. Kent Hughes has what it takes to move with Kyle Dubas without sacrificing his future.

The 87, who earns $8.7 million for two more seasons, not only has a salary that makes sense but would also fit in really well with Montreal’s young team bank. That’s mainly Dreger’s point, by the way.

Crosby wouldn’t be around for a thousand years, but his stint — which is only two years — would be so beneficial for everyone. It would help Nick Suzuki at the hockey level; he’d have support at the center position but also at the leadership level.

Crosby’s arrival would not only represent talent and leadership: it would also offer an exceptional marketing asset and become a powerful argument for management to attract future free agents. No one would say no to 87 in Montreal. Unless Ivan Demidov or Lane Hutson are given away, but that’s not going to happen.

—

**Overtime**

Of note: The Jays crush the Yankees and lead the series 1-0. Really? Good. It wasn’t all Core 4 in Toronto. Not the year of the East.
https://dose.ca/2025/10/04/montreal-would-do-everything-in-its-power-to-obtain-sidney-crosby/

Artemi Panarin awaiting taste of Rangers action with consequential season on tap

Artemi Panarin is entering a pivotal contract year with the New York Rangers, and the team’s longtime scoring leader hopes to see his first game action of the preseason Thursday night against the New Jersey Devils. This will help him prepare for the start of his seventh year in New York.

Panarin missed a few days of practice last week due to a lower-body injury but returned to the ice on Friday. In recent days, he has been upgraded from wearing a red non-contact jersey to becoming a full participant in practice.

“I think it’s very important to have a couple of [preseason] games at least, just for timing,” Panarin said after Wednesday’s nearly 90-minute practice session in Tarrytown. “It’s more about timing, it’s not so much about conditioning. It’s just to feel how fast people are moving around you, how the puck’s moving, just kind of to remind yourself of some things, and then the season starts.”

The 33-year-old left winger can become an unrestricted free agent next summer, when the seven-year, $81.5 million contract he signed as a free agent in 2019 expires. That deal carries an average annual value (AAV) of $11.64 million.

Since joining the Rangers, Panarin has led the team in scoring every season, amassing 186 goals and 550 points over 430 regular-season games. However, his numbers have dipped in postseason play, with 12 goals and 23 assists for 35 points in 46 playoff appearances. The Rangers missed the playoffs entirely last season, which led to the firing of head coach Peter Laviolette.

Laviolette was replaced by longtime Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan, who did not disclose his lineup plans for Thursday’s game at Madison Square Garden, beyond noting that captain J.T. Miller will be out due to a lower-body injury.

“[Panarin] looks good. He looks strong. Obviously, he’s an incredible player. The things he does with the puck, he’s a unique player in that regard,” Sullivan said after practice. “You see what he does on the power play, for example, when we worked on our power play in practice today. But I think he looks strong, healthy, fit, all of the above. I don’t know whether we’re going to put him in the lineup [Thursday] or not. But we really like the way he’s trending. I think the last couple of days have been quality practice for him.”

On Wednesday, Panarin skated mostly alongside Vincent Trocheck and Will Cuylle. His regular linemate, Alexis Lafrenière, was aligned for a second straight day with Mika Zibanejad and Gabe Perreault in Miller’s absence.

The Rangers will conclude their preseason schedule Saturday afternoon in Boston before opening the 82-game regular season Tuesday at home against the Penguins.

“Like I said before, we have a pretty good group of guys, and then obviously the coaches have had success in the NHL already,” Panarin said, referencing his 37 goals and 52 assists in 80 games last season. “I know they have good experience in the playoffs… so I think only good things for our team this year.”

One of those good things, according to Panarin, would be to suit up for either or both of the remaining preseason contests. However, Sullivan believes that playing in preseason games is not imperative.

“I just think for anybody, in a perfect world, you’d like to have everybody get at least a game. Preferably two would be even better in a perfect world,” Sullivan said. “But as we all know, the world’s not perfect, and so I’m sure, regardless of whether or not he gets one or he doesn’t get one, he’s going to be fine. He’s a talented player, and he’ll adjust on the fly. But ideally, we’d like to get him in some action before we start playing meaningful hockey.”
https://nypost.com/2025/10/01/sports/artemi-panarin-awaiting-rangers-action-with-consequential-season-on-tap/