Islanders’ Schaefer Captures 2025-26 Calder Trophy
The National Hockey League officially announced today that New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer has been awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy for the 2025-26 season. The honor, voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association, recognizes the league’s most proficient player in their debut campaign.
Schaefer’s victory is one for the history books. At just 18 years and 223 days old on the final day of the regular season, he becomes the youngest Calder Trophy winner in NHL history. He is the sixth Islander to take home the hardware, joining a list of franchise legends including Mike Bossy, Denis Potvin, and Mat Barzal. Notably, he is only the fourth defenseman, and the 13th first-overall pick, to win the award, following in the footsteps of Aaron Ekblad and fellow Islanders blueliners Potvin and Bryan Berard. He becomes the first rookie to unanimously win the Calder Trophy since Teemu Selanne in the 1992-93 season with the Winnipeg Jets.
The Hamilton, Ontario native’s rookie season was nothing short of historic. Schaefer suited up for all 82 games, racking up 59 points (23 goals, 36 assists). His 23 goals tied Brian Leetch’s long-standing record for the most goals by a rookie defenseman in a single season. Beyond the scoring totals, Schaefer displayed veteran-level stamina, averaging 24:41 of ice time—the highest ever recorded by an 18-year-old skater. He even logged a staggering 31:59 during a single contest on March 24, setting a new benchmark for teenage durability in the modern era.
Schaefer excelled when it mattered most. As the top NHL rookie in power-play goals (8) and shots on goal (222), he kept his draft class in check with four game-winning goals. He also became the youngest defenseman ever to reach the 20-goal and 50-point mark. Back with the Islanders, the 18-year-old superstar led the team in ice time and plus/minus (+13), and finished second in total points.
By securing the Calder, Schaefer cements his status as the cornerstone of the Islanders’ future and the premier young talent in the game today.
Sharks Sign Carson Wetsch to Entry-Level Contract
The San Jose Sharks have officially signed forward Carson Wetsch to a three-year, entry-level contract. Wetsch, who recently completed a standout season in the Western Hockey League, was selected by San Jose in the third round (82nd overall) of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
The 20-year-old right winger is coming off a highly productive campaign as the team captain of the Kelowna Rockets. In 65 games with Kelowna during the 2025-26 season, Wetsch recorded a career-high 72 points (22 goals, 50 assists). His 1.11 points-per-game pace and 80 penalty minutes should bring a positive sign forawrd for the “power forward” identity that intrigued Sharks scouts during his draft year.
Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 201 pounds, Wetsch has earned praise from scouts for his high motor and mature defensive habits. Known for his ability to win puck battles and play a heavy game, he projects as a versatile bottom-six winger who can kill penalties and provide secondary scoring at the professional level.
Avalanche Notes: Blackwood, Lehkonen, Malinski
The Colorado Avalanche appear ready to lean on the hot hand as they look to close out their second-round series against the Minnesota Wild. Following an optional morning skate at Ball Arena, Mackenzie Blackwood occupied the starter’s crease, a strong sign he will get the nod for tonight’s pivotal Game 5.
Blackwood appears to have earned the opportunity after a composed performance in Game 4, where he stopped 19 of 21 shots to help Colorado secure a 3-1 series lead.
Additional Notes:
- While the optional session was described as “pretty well attended,” the Avalanche were without two key fixtures: forward Artturi Lehkonen and defenseman Sam Malinski. Both players missed Game 4 with upper-body injuries, and their absence this morning could mean that they will remain unlikely to suit up for the potential clincher.
The veteran winger, Lehkonen, has been a postseason engine for Colorado, providing elite two-way play and secondary scoring. On the back end, Malinski’s mobility will be missed if he cannot go, likely keeping Jack Ahcan in the lineup for a second straight game.
With a chance to advance to the Western Conference Final on home ice, the Avalanche are prioritizing momentum in goal while navigating significant depth challenges. If Blackwood can replicate his Game 4 form, Colorado may secure the rest needed to get their sidelined stars back for the third round.
Toronto Maple Leafs Part Ways With Head Coach Craig Berube
In a significant move to kick off a hopeful, transformative offseason, Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager John Chayka announced today that the club has parted ways with head coach Craig Berube. The decision comes as Chayka and the Toronto front office look to pivot following a 2025-26 campaign that fell short of the organization’s high expectations.
“Craig is a tremendous coach and an even better person,” Chayka said in the team’s official release. “This decision is more reflective of an organizational shift and an opportunity for a fresh start than it is an evaluation of Craig. We are grateful for his leadership, professionalism, and commitment to the Maple Leafs organization.”
Despite Chayka’s framing of the move as an “organizational shift,” the results on the ice were difficult to ignore. After a strong first year, the Maple Leafs struggled with consistency during the 2025-26 season, ultimately missing the postseason for the first time in a decade. Berube, who was hired in 2024 to bring a rugged, playoff-ready identity to the roster, leaves Toronto with an 84-62-18 record.
With the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft already secured, Chayka now has the opportunity to pair a generational prospect with a head coach of his own choosing. The coaching market remains robust, with several veteran options and high-upside AHL candidates available to steer a roster still led by Auston Matthews and William Nylander.
By acting early in the offseason, the Maple Leafs ensure they can secure their top target before the draft and free agency. For a club entering a pivotal summer, this “fresh start” behind the bench marks the official beginning of the Chayka era in Toronto.
Berube, who led the St. Louis Blues to a Stanley Cup in 2019, departs Toronto with two years remaining on his contract. He instantly becomes one of the most experienced options on the coaching market for other clubs seeking veteran leadership.
Penguins Face Critical Offseason Following First-Round Exit
The Pittsburgh Penguins find themselves at a familiar yet increasingly urgent crossroads. After a 2025-26 campaign that saw the club return to the postseason only to suffer a first-round exit, President of Hockey Operations Kyle Dubas faces an offseason defined by a massive $42.7 million in projected cap space and the looming free agency of franchise icon Evgeni Malkin.
The Malkin Question
The top priority for Pittsburgh is the future of Malkin, who turns 40 in July. Despite his age and a nagging shoulder injury that hampered his second half, Malkin remained productive, posting 61 points in 56 games. Dubas was vocal during his season-ending press conference about the desire to keep “Geno” in the only jersey he has ever worn.
“We would love to have him back,” Dubas stated, noting that the team’s younger players haven’t yet pushed well enough to displace a legend of Malkin’s caliber. The shift to the wing late in the season alongside Tommy Novak and Egor Chinakhov seemed to reduce the physical toll on Malkin, potentially providing a blueprint for a short-term extension.
The “Big Three” Legacy
As Sidney Crosby and Erik Karlsson enter the final years of their respective deals, the pressure to build a contender around them is immense. Dubas admitted that while the goal is to remain competitive, he must act in the “best interest of the Penguins,” even if it means making unpopular decisions regarding aging core members. For now, the focus remains on keeping the band together for one more run while carefully integrating the “NHL Pipeline” into the supporting cast.
Goaltending Transition
Pittsburgh’s crease is set for a significant overhaul. While veteran Stuart Skinner is a pending UFA and Arturs Silovs is an RFA, Dubas noted a youth movement is imminent. The organization is high on prospects Sergei Murashov and Joel Blomqvist, both of whom are expected to compete for NHL roster spots this fall. Dubas indicated the team will likely retain one of the Skinner/Silovs duo to pair with a rookie, ensuring the “bridge” to the next generation of goaltending begins now.
Cap Flexibility vs. Long-Term Health
With over $40 million to play with, the Penguins are theoretically the biggest players in the free-agent market. However, Dubas preached extreme caution. While stars like Anthony Mantha (coming off a 33-goal season) are hitting the market, Dubas warned against “burning space long-term” on deals the team might regret by 2028.
The strategy appears to be a “pragmatic retool” rather than an aggressive spending spree. The team has already made minor moves, re-signing defenseman Ilya Solovyov ($850k) and forward Connor Dewar to shore up depth, suggesting Dubas will hunt for value rather than just high-priced stars.
Under The Radar 2025 UFA Signings That Stole The Show
Every NHL offseason, the biggest contracts get the biggest headlines. But by the time the calendar flips to spring, it’s often the quieter signings, the ones buried halfway down the free agent tracker, that end up paying the biggest dividends.
The 2025 class was no exception. While plenty of attention went to the marquee deals last July, some of the most impactful contracts in the league came from players who generated little fanfare on Day 1 of free agency. Low-risk gambles, bounce-back candidates, and cheap depth signings that turned into significant bargains for their teams. Here are three of them.
Justin Brazeau — Pittsburgh Penguins (2 years, $3MM / $1.5MM AAV)
When Kyle Dubas signed the 6-foot-6, 232-pound winger to a two-year deal at roughly the league minimum, the move drew little attention. Brazeau was coming off a 2024-25 season split between Boston and Minnesota in which he produced 11 goals and 22 points across 76 games. The signing appeared to fit a familiar profile, a depth forward brought in to provide size and fill out the bottom of the lineup.
His production told a different story. In 64 games, Brazeau recorded 17 goals and 34 points, matching his entire prior NHL career goal total (16) across 95 previous games. At a $1.5MM cap hit, he outproduced forwards who were making four times as much.
Daniel Vladař — Philadelphia Flyers (2 years, $6.7MM / $3.35MM AAV)
Of the three signings on this list, Vladař’s drew the most skepticism at the time. The Czech goaltender arrived in Philadelphia following several difficult seasons in Calgary, where he posted a cumulative -23 Goals Saved Above Average, via hocketstats.com. For a Flyers team that had struggled with team save percentage for several years, committing $6.7MM over two years to a goaltender with that trajectory raised questions across the league.
Valdař answered every one of them.
In a career-high 52 games, he posted a 2.42 goals-against average, .906 save percentage, and 13.8 goals saved above expected, per moneypuck.com. Year-over-year, that’s one of the largest single-season goaltending turnarounds in the league. His performance separated him as the Flyers’ true number one goaltender, and Vladař settled into the starter’s role within weeks of the season’s opening. He also earned his first Olympic appearance, winning his debut for Czech Republic.
His playoff performance reinforced the value of the contract. Vladař held Pittsburgh’s third-ranked offense (3.52 goals per game) to four goals on 74 shots over the first three games of their opening-round series, a .946 save percentage. He closed out the series with a 42-save shutout in Game 6, a 1-0 overtime win that gave Philadelphia its first playoff series victory since 2020. It is safe to say Philadelphia has found their starter.
Anthony Mantha — Pittsburgh Penguins (1 year, $2.5MM + bonuses)
Mantha didn’t just bounce back. He produced the best season of his career, and one of the most efficient contracts in the entire league.
The context of the deal made the production all the more notable. Mantha was coming off a 2024-25 season cut short by a torn ACL with Calgary. He was entering his age-31 season and had not produced 50 points in several years. Pittsburgh’s one-year, $2.5MM contract, with up to $2MM in performance bonuses, appeared structured as a reclamation deal, the kind of short-term agreement that often precedes a trade-deadline move.
Instead, through 81 games, Mantha recorded 33 goals, 31 assists, and 64 points, surpassing his previous career highs in both goals (25) and points (48) by significant margins.
Mantha had the most goals among all 2026 pending UFAs, and his cap hit translated to roughly $39k per point which was one of the most efficient rates in the league among forwards not on entry-level contracts.
His production was a central factor in Pittsburgh’s emergence as a playoff team, and he is projected to roughly double his cap hit this summer.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The 2026 free agent market is being written off before it even opens. Connor McDavid, Kirill Kaprizov, and Jack Eichel are gone, all locked up the season. What was once projected to be a historic UFA class has thinned into a market headlined by Alex Tuch, who many believe will resign with Buffalo, and a handful of aging wingers. The consensus is that there’s nothing left worth chasing.
The consensus said the same thing about Brazeau, Vladař, and Mantha twelve months ago.
Weak top ends are exactly where bargains get found. Last summer’s most valuable contracts came from players nobody was bidding against: reclamation projects, depth signings, and bounce-backs that quietly became some of the best deals in the league. This summer’s market may look bare on July 1, but the lesson from 2025 is clear, the bargains don’t disappear when the stars do. They just get harder to spot.
Canucks Expected To Promote Ryan Johnson
The Vancouver Canucks are expected to promote Abbotsford Canucks General Manager Ryan Johnson sometime in the near future. The anticipation is that the position will be that of either Director of Hockey Operations or General Manager, as reported by Rick Dhaliwal of Cheknews. Dhaliwal also stated that both Daniel and Henrik Sedin will have a big say in the final decision that will be a pivotal one for the Canucks’ front office.
The search itself has been an extensive one, with Canucks ownership and front office interviewing more than 15 candidates before narrowing the field. In recent weeks, the race had reportedly come down to Johnson and Boston Bruins assistant GM Evan Gold, before momentum shifted decisively in Johnson’s favor, and Dhaliwal reported he does not believe Gold remains in the mix.
The search to fill key front office vacancies has been ongoing for the last month following the dismissal of former GM Patrik Allvin. Adding to the shake-up, the team announced last week that President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford will also be stepping down from his role, though he will remain with the organization in an advisory capacity and as an alternate governor.
The changes in Vancouver do not come as a shock following an extremely disappointing 2025-26 season. The Canucks finished the season a staggering 25-49-8 with 58 points, which was last in the NHL by 14 points. Moreover, the Canucks were forced to part with franchise defenseman Quinn Hughes back in December, after he indicated he had no intention of re-signing with the team.
Johnson is no stranger to the NHL or to the Canucks organization. After wrapping up a 701-game playing career in 2011, he found his way back into the game in 2013-14, rejoining his former team of two seasons as a development coach. He climbed the ranks quickly: promoted to Assistant Director of Player Development within two years before being handed the reins of Vancouver’s AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, as General Manager in 2017. When the affiliate relocated in 2021, Johnson became the first GM in Abbotsford Canucks history. Two years later, Patrik Allvin promoted him to Assistant General Manager in Vancouver while keeping him on in his role with Abbotsford. Across five seasons as Abbotsford GM, Johnson has compiled a 191-134-31 record and captured a Calder Cup in 2024-25.
With the 2026 NHL Draft Combine just weeks away and Vancouver holding the third overall pick, whoever ends up running hockey operations won’t have much time to settle in. Johnson, if officially named, will inherit a roster in transition, a fan base running thin on patience, and the heavy task of building the Canucks’ first Stanley Cup contender in over a decade.
Evening Notes: Kraken, Manson, Sabres
The Seattle Kraken have partnered with sports advisory firm Sportsology to perform an assessment of their hockey operations department after parting ways with general manager Ron Francis, per Fox 13 Seattle. The firm will review the team’s organizational structure, communication and decision-making processes, player development, scouting, analytics, and more.
Sportsology has previously worked with the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, and Philadelphia Eagles. They also worked with the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks and Washington Wizards. The Rams, Eagles, and Mavericks have each won championships in the last four years.
Seattle has had a, frankly, slow start to their franchise history. They have made one of a possible four postseasons and are already on their third head coach. More than that, Seattle has failed to lead top prospects Matty Beniers, Shane Wright, or Berkly Catton to their potential early in their careers. It is the perfect time to look for a spark, especially as Seattle sits tied up in a veteran-heavy roster.
Other notes from around the league:
- Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson was fined $5K by the NHL Department of Player Safety for butt-ending Minnesota Wild forward Michael McCarron in Game 4. Manson has missed the last four games with injury. He fills an important lineup role and will dodge any further absences with a fine, rather than a suspension. Manson recorded 31 points, 91 penalty minutes, and 174 shot blocks in 79 games during the regular season. He has added two points in four postseason games.
- The Buffalo Sabres are making some lineup changes after losing Game 3 against the Montreal Canadiens by a score of 2-6. Rookie center Konsta Helenius, defenseman Luke Schenn, and goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen are in the lineup per Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic. Helenius could be a scoring spark vacated when Noah Ostlund sustained an injury. The 20-year-old Finn scored four points in the first nine games of his NHL career, and 62 points in 62 AHL games, this season. Luukkonen recorded 22 wins and a .910 save percentage in 35 games this season. Injuries held him back from the starting role, opening the door for a split with Alex Lyon who has started every game of the postseason so far. Their swaps could be difference-makers for the Sabres, while Schenn will look to bring another physical presence to the lineup.
Bruins’ Charlie McAvoy Suspended Six Games To Start 2026-27 Season
After a year bumps, bruises, and injury – top Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy will have to wait longer than most to play again. McAvoy has been suspended six games to start the 2026-27 season for his slash on Buffalo Sabres winger Zach Benson in Boston’s decisive loss on April 28, per Chris Johnston of The Athletic. McAvoy will forfeit just a bit more than $300K in salary due to the suspension, Johnston adds.
The incident leading to McAvoy’s slash occurred in the final 90 seconds of Boston’s season. On a race for a puck headed towards an empty net, Benson’s skate swept McAvoy’s legs from under him – causing the defender to crash into the end-boards. In response, McAvoy two-hand slashed Benson across his upper-body. He was assessed a game misconduct and major penalty on the play. Benson was also handed a minor penalty for tripping. The NHL explained that McAvoy used his stick as a weapon – even loading up for the strike – which led to the significant suspension.
This is McAvoy’s fourth run-in with the NHL Department of Player Safety. He was suspended one game in 2019 for a check to the head of Columbus Blue Jackets winger Josh Anderson. In 2022, McAvoy was fined $5K for tripping Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brady Skjei. The first significant suspension of his career came at the start of the 2023-24 season, when McAvoy was forced to miss four games after a check to the head of Florida Panthers defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
Now, McAvoy’s record of suspensions will find a new low. His absence will leave a big hole in Boston’s lineup to start the season. He averaged 24:23 in ice time this season – three minutes more than anyone else on the roster. He finished the year with 11 goals and 61 points in 69 games, to go with 62 penalty minutes, 79 hits, and 129 shot blocks. Once again, his physical and relentless style of hockey made a difference for the Bruins – though it also led McAvoy to miss 13 games from a string of difficult injuries, including losing multiple teeth. A bit more discipline next season could go far in helping McAvoy avoid both injury and the Department of Safety.
The Bruins bumped Andrew Peeke up the lineup in McAvoy’s absence this season. They may not be able to do the same next season, with Peeke set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He finished the 2025-26 season with 14 points, 105 hits, and a team-leading 135 shot blocks. Those impacts helped Peeke climb to an average 19:23 in ice time, nearly a minute more than he managed in his first season with Boston last year. After another season offering impactful depth, Peeke should be a strong candidate to re-sign with the Bruins who will have more than $16MM in cap space per PuckPedia. If Peeke moves on, the top right-defense role will be open to a summer signing for the first games of the season.
Golden Knights Recall Braeden Bowman, Mark Stone Remains Out
The Vegas Golden Knights will continue to be without star winger Mark Stone in Tuesday night’s Game 5 against the Anaheim Ducks. Stone will remain out of the lineup with an undisclosed injury that kept him out of Game 4 per Jesse Granger of The Athletic. Stone left Game 3 at the end of the first period. It was not clear where his injury was sustained, though he seemed to be nursing his left leg at the end of his final shift. Defenseman Jeremy Lauzon will also remain out of the lineup with an upper-body injury sustained in Game 6 of Vegas’ first round matchup against the Utah Mammoth.
Veteran winger Brandon Saad filled in for Stone on Sunday. His line – completed by Tomas Hertl and Keegan Kolesar – was outshot four-to-one and on the ice for no goals. That quiet performance, and a Game 4 loss, has prompted Vegas to recall winger Braeden Bowman from the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights.
Bowman had a surprising breakout this season. He scored at a point-per-game pace through the start of Henderson’s season, prompting the first call-up of his career in mid-November. The undrafted-rookie was an immediate impact, netting seven points in his first eight NHL games and proving he could bring the grit and work ethic needed to earn a lineup role. Bowman stayed up with Vegas’ lineup for 54 games, ultimately scoring eight goals and 26 points. He was returned to Henderson in April and caught fire once again – netting 18 points through the Silver Knights’ final 14 games of the season.
The Golden Knights will struggle to make up for Stone’s absence. The Vegas captain scored 28 goals and 73 points in 60 games this season – a full-season scoring pace of 38 goals and 100 points. He sat out of 17 games between October and November, and an additional five games in March, due to injury. The Golden Knights struggled in his absence, setting a 8-9-5 record and getting outscored 59-to-66. Vegas won’t have any room for those struggles now, as they sit tied at two wins with the Ducks.
Bowman has continued to produce for Henderson in the postseason. He has four points in six games, third-most on the Silver Knights behind Trevor Connelly and Lukas Cormier. If a move between leagues brings another scoring spark, the Golden Knights could find a timely X-factor addition in the young winger. Meanwhile, Ben Hutton will continue to support the defense in Lauzon’s absence. Hutton recorded 15 points, 28 hits, and 55 shot blocks in 55 regular-season games. He won’t match Lauzon’s bruising presence – but should continue to provide serviceable depth in must-win games.