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Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Why The NHL Shouldn't Make The 4 Nations Face-Off An Annual Event
By Jack Klinck, The Hockey News intern The success of the 4 Nations Face-Off instead of the NHL All-Star Game had some fans asking, "Why not do this every year?" With all-star games and skills competitions becoming less and less popular across all sports, leagues are constantly looking at ways to squeeze excitement out of these low-effort showings. It seems like the NHL is the first league to crack the code. Want to make all-star weekends more exciting? Scrap them all together. Instead of a breakaway challenge, slam dunk competition or dodgeball game, let players put on their country's colors and play for something they actually want to win. With the excitement of the 4 Nations, it's hard to imagine a return to another NHL All-Star Game in the coming years. With NHL players participating in the Olympics in 2026, fans will get another taste of best-on-best, but after that, it's likely back to the NHL's old all-star ways. But maybe that's a good thing. Connor McDavid seems to think so. He said that best-on-best hockey every two years is enough because of the physical toll it takes on the players. As much fun as the 4 Nations Face-Off has been, Connor, we agree. While playing high-intensity playoff-style hockey instead of having a week-long vacation takes a toll on the players, having international best-on-best hockey every year would diminish the meaning of these tournaments and dilute the quality of play. Part of what has made this tournament so exciting was that it was our first taste of men's international best-on-best hockey since the World Cup of Hockey in 2016. It's the rarity that makes it special. For the first time in their careers, the best players in the world could play for their country at the highest level. The NHL caught magic in a bottle with the 4 Nations Face-Off, but it's a magic they can only capture once. Now it's time to tighten the lid and put that bottle back on the shelf. Imagine if every best-on-best tournament ended with a "there's always next year" mentality. Not just that, but a "there's always every year" mentality. The fans would be less interested, and the players would treat it as less of a priority. Take the IIHF's World Championship for example. A tournament of the top hockey countries in the world that sees many NHL players prioritize healing ailments and having a longer off-season over competing for their country. Although the tournament happens in May and usually overlaps with the second round of the NHL playoffs, players such as Connor Bedard, Cale Makar and Cole Caufield were available by that time last season. Not one of them went. The tournament is popular in Europe and has seen countries that likely wouldn't medal in true best-on-best competition like Switzerland, Latvia and Germany leave with some hardware. The worlds also give top prospects a chance to play against high-level professional competition. While the World Championship is great for the game, it should serve as a cautionary tale for the NHL: best-on-best hockey shouldn't be where players go to work on their game or get healthy. It should be the best players in the world playing their best hockey. With NHL Olympic participation in 2026 and the return of the World Cup of Hockey in 2028, we will see international best-on-best hockey at least every two years. And that should be enough. The 4 Nations Face-Off seems like the odd man out. While the NHL seemed to have fixed the All-Star Game this year, it is only a one-time fix. There will still be a February opening in the schedule every second season that the NHL will have to fill. But the league will need to flex its creative muscles as more international hockey is not the way to go. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on Copyright The Hockey News, Roustan Media Ltd.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The Decentralized NHL Draft Reminds Us Of The Event's True Purpose
On the surface, the decentralized NHL draft seems to defy logic. One year after holding the glitziest and most spectacular NHL draft ever at The Sphere in Vegas, it turned in a tedious, clunky, awkward and loooooong affair with its decentralized draft in 2025. Advertisement And after watching what transpired in Los Angeles, the NHL will likely do it again? Well, not the league, exactly. As was the case this year, the GMs wanted this because it was a less expensive and more efficient way to do business. That's the crux of the matter here. The NHL draft is not for us. It's not to entertain the fans or keep members of the media happy. It's the most important day of the year for a hockey operations department. They are procuring young talent that will dictate the future direction of their franchises. That's the purpose of the draft. Everything else is just window dressing. Advertisement If the NHL can clean up the process, then there's no reason why a decentralized draft can't work. The 2025 NHL draft took place at Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images) Watch today's video column, and share your thoughts. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Reese Hamilton
The WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is Reese Hamilton, who plays for the Regina Pats. Credit Mark Peterson // Prince Albert Raiders Hamilton's biggest strength, without a shadow of a doubt, is his skating. Explosive strides, smooth edgework, the former Calgary Hitmen blueliner has ways to close gaps and push opposing skaters to the outside. Once he gets there, a finished body check is likely on the way and puck possession will change hands. Advertisement However, the Pats defender at one point was a top-15 player in the 2025 class. Since the beginning of the season, he has fallen to somehwere in the 125-175 range. As is the case with multiple players in the past, this isn't a death sentence; Hamilton does have the tools to become a solid defender in the NHL, especially with his skating, but the offensive output could use some work. Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. 2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Nathan Behm 2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Peyton Kettles 2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Hayden Paupanekis 2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: David Lewandowski Tri-City Americans Jackson Smith Commits To Penn State University
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
5 Observations From Penguins' Prospect Development Camp
Pittsburgh Penguins prospect development camp. (Kelsey Surmacz - The Hockey News) After five days, development camp for the Pittsburgh Penguins has finally reached its conclusion. And - although it's, generally, hard to pull anything definitive from this camp - there were some nuggets here and there that could offer a bit of a glimpse into the Penguins' future. Advertisement Between a few camp standouts and a larger pool of talent in general, there was a good bit more buzz surrounding development camp than there has been in years prior. Coaches, media, and fans got their first look at the 13 players from the 2025 draft class in action, and there were also some camp veterans who showed signs of growth from last year's event. Suffice to say, there was a bit more of a competitive aspect to camp that has, maybe, been more so lacking in years past. "Everyone here is competing for a spot," said Will Horcoff, who was drafted 24th overall by the Penguins this year. "Everyone's super competitive, so it's making everyone better. If everyone gives 100 percent effort - which they are - things will get a little chippy, and that's great. Without that, you aren't getting any better, so I think it's great that everyone competes hard." Here are five observations from Penguins' development camp. Dubas May Have Sought Quantity In This Year's Draft. But That Doesn't Mean He Missed On Quality. Dubas May Have Sought Quantity In This Year's Draft. But That Doesn't Mean He Missed On Quality. In the aftermath of every NHL Draft, the analysis always comes due. Harrison Brunicke looks pro-ready Harrison Brunicke. (Kelsey Surmacz - The Hockey News) There was a lot of buzz surrounding Brunicke, 19, both before development camp and during. And for good reason. Advertisement Of course, development camp isn't the tip-top level of competition and ferocity that training camp is, so it's worth noting that the expectation was for a player like Brunicke to stand out among the rest. Brunicke - captain for Team Patrick - was also set to return for his second development camp, which is one more than many of the players in attendance. That said, he really did show that he was just a slight level above everyone else at this camp. During game two of the tournament on Monday against Team Johnston, the 6-foot-3, 202-pound blueliner sniped a shot from the slot with the extra attacker and 8.9 seconds on the clock to force a shootout, which would determine who got the chance to move on to the final. What Is The Best Developmental Path For Top Prospect Harrison Brunicke In 2025-26? What Is The Best Developmental Path For Top Prospect Harrison Brunicke In 2025-26? For 19-year-old Advertisement Pittsburgh Penguins' defensive prospect Harrison Brunicke, it is only a matter of time. After Ben Kindel (Team Patrick) and Cruz Lucius (Team Johnston) scored on their attempts - and Will Horcoff (Team Johnston) had missed on his - Brunicke capitalized on his with a pinpoint snapshot to the glove side to seal the deal, as Oliver Tulk was stopped on Team Johnston's third attempt. I already wrote a piece on how Brunicke has limited options - juniors or NHL - next season due to his AHL and NCAA ineligibility. I asked Director of Player Development Tom Kostopoulos about the AHL ineligibility rule and if it presents any developmental challenges for a player in Brunicke's position - one who is, likely, ready for the jump to professional hockey. Advertisement 'I think so. That's a good question," Kostopoulos said. "I think it's something that the league should look at, because he's probably played his way out of junior hockey and might be ready for a step up. I'm not in charge of those rules, but you're probably right." Brunicke will, very obviously, be one of the biggest stories to watch in training camp, as he nearly made the NHL roster last season as an 18-year-old. We'll see what happens on the trade front for the Penguins the rest of the summer, too, but don't discount the possibility of Brunicke at least getting the nine-game trial. Keep an eye on Will Horcoff Will Horcoff. (Kelsey Surmacz - The Hockey News) If there was one name brought up almost as much as Brunicke's it was Will Horcoff's. Advertisement The Penguins' 24th overall pick in this year's draft was the youngest player in the NCAA last season, when the 6-foot-4, 190-pound center put up four goals and 10 points in 17 games for the University of Michigan. During camp, he was noticeable in a lot of ways. He cut around defenders without much issue, his skating was smooth, and he scored a few slick goals - including two in Monday's tournament for Team Johnston - that really put his soft hands and his skill on display. When I spoke with Horcoff Sunday, he said that the goal at development camp was to see how the pros train. Given how young he was relative to his NCAA peers last season, it's fair to assume that picking up on some of the habits of Pittsburgh's veterans will only help him get better and, hopefully, be even more productive for Michigan next season. Advertisement "I got to see Sid a couple days ago," Horcoff said. "He was out on the ice by himself, then he was in the workout room by himself, so just seeing how hard he works, I can take something away from that to bring back to Michigan." Many fans scoffed at the Horcoff pick as a reach. While it's way too early to be making any kind of judgment call on that, there seems to, at least, be some legitimate talent there. Reaction: Penguins Take Will Horcoff As 24th Overall Selection Reaction: Penguins Take Will Horcoff As 24th Overall Selection After a long night of anticipation, the Pittsburgh Penguins made what is presumed to be their final draft selection in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft. Camp just keeps on growing… and so does the Penguins' developmental staff Penguins' Director of Player Development Tom Kostopoulos. (Kelsey Surmacz - The Hockey News) One of the topics that was touched on Monday during Kostopoulos's second media availability of camp was the growth of development camp as a whole. Advertisement There were 52 invites to camp this season - including the four injured players in Tanner Howe, Luke Devlin, Maleek McGowan, and Zam Plante - which is more than the Penguins have ever had at this event. Kostopoulos credited the Penguins' scouting department and his developmental staff, who identified some of the undrafted and collegiate talent that received invitations. But he stressed that a lot of the credit goes toward the actual growth of the developmental staff as a whole, which is something that GM and POHO Kyle Dubas mentioned during the draft. The ability to invite more players directly correlates with both the influx of talent in the system and the team's ability to accommodate those players through sheer numbers. 'My staff is amazing,' Kostopoulos said. 'The development staff is fantastic. I feel like the L.A. Dodgers. I've got a lineup full of overly qualified people that I can use to send out to visit our prospects, that I can use in Wheeling, Wilkes-Barre, and Pittsburgh. 'I think that ownership and management has built out a ton of resources available to players that can only help them. And, if the players are willing to use that to help them develop, that's where we're seeing growth in some of the players. It's been a lot of fun to watch the growth in the staff, then resulting in helping the players develop.' Penguins Prospects Development Camp: Day Four Recap Penguins Prospects Development Camp: Day Four Recap We finally got to see some scrimmages between the top Advertisement Pittsburgh Penguins prospects during development camp on Sunday, and they didn't disappoint. Several players, including one from yesterday's session, had solid days and will look to make an even bigger impact during Monday's tournament. Dubas, Spezza, and co. will have some tough decisions on the blue line Joona Vaisanen and Emil Pieniniemi. (Kelsey Surmacz - The Hockey News) If one thing is for certain about this Penguins' prospect pool, it's that they're pretty loaded up on the back end. Dubas said that the organization likes where it's at in terms of defensive prospect depth, and it's easy to see why. Guys like Brunicke and Owen Pickering tend to dominate the headlines - which makes sense, as they are - as of now - the two closest to NHL-ready with the highest ceilings - but other players like Emil Pieniniemi, Finn Harding, Kalle Kangas, and Chase Pietila are primed to turn pro next season. There are also the 2025 draftees in Charlie Trethewey, Quinn Beauchesne, Peyton Kettles, and Brady Peddle, as well as other signees in Daniel Laatsch, Joona Vaisanen, and David Breazeale. Advertisement With all of that defensive depth, the Penguins are going to have some decisions to make regarding their rosters in not just the NHL, but also the AHL and ECHL. Some players are still juniors-eligible - with Brunicke and the draft class topping that list - while others, like Vaisanen, will likely return to the NCAA. There are going to be some battles for roster spots during training camp, and it's a good problem for the Penguins to have. They may not have a generational blueliner - or even a surefire top-pairing guy - waiting in the wings, but they certainly have enough prospect talent that the depth on their blue line should not be an issue for the foreseeable future. It will be fun to see how all of that unfolds over the next few seasons. With Breadth Of Positional Depth In The System, Penguins' Defensive Prospects Eager To Take Next Steps With Breadth Of Positional Depth In The System, Penguins' Defensive Prospects Eager To Take Next Steps When Advertisement Pittsburgh Penguins' Prospect Development Camp began on Thursday, 48 players took the to the ice - some for the first time in black and gold, others returned to a familiar place. The Penguins have more organizational talent than they've had in a long time… and people are noticing Quinn Beauchesne. (Kelsey Surmacz - The Hockey News) I might be stating the obvious here, but there is more prospect talent in the Penguins' organization than there has been since the very early years of the Sidney Crosby era - perhaps, even longer. And it's clear that fans are excited about it. I covered training camp last season, and there were more fans in the building on Monday for the tournament than there were for some of the training camp days. I normally don't have any trouble finding a parking spot at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, but I had to park in the overflow lot. Advertisement When the NHL team isn't getting the results fans want to see, it's natural for folks to look ahead to the future. And it was evident throughout this camp that there may, indeed, be a brighter future to look forward to. The 2025 first-rounders - Kindel, Horcoff, and Bill Zonnon - each stood out in their own respective ways and at different times. Brunicke is a draw for fans. I heard people talking about Trethewey, who is a product of the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite program. Beauchesne - drafted in the fifth round (148th overall) - did not at all look like a fifth-rounder throughout this camp. There is a lot to like about the current Penguins' prospect pool and its direction, and fans should be excited to look ahead to the next generation of Penguins' hockey. 'We're Thrilled With The Players That We Have': 3 Takeaways From Penguins' Day One Draft 'We're Thrilled With The Players That We Have': 3 Takeaways From Penguins' Day One Draft Day One of the 2025 NHL Draft is officially wrapped, and the Advertisement Pittsburgh Penguins were certainly one of the more active teams in the first round. Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more! Feature image credit: Kelsey Surmacz - The Hockey News
Miami Herald
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Canadiens Close Sordid Chapter, Continue To Kill It In The Off-Season
The chance to acquire a 20-30-goal scorer for a depth defenseman is the kind of deal a good GM is going to make seven days a week. And it's exactly the trade Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes made on Canada Day when he acquired winger and Trois-Rivieres native Zach Bolduc from the St. Louis Blues for defenseman Logan Mailloux. It's not that it was a bad trade for St. Louis – Mailloux has all the markings of a solid NHL defenseman – as it was a great trade for the Canadiens, acquiring a potential top-six forward for a guy who didn't really fit into their long-term plans because of the logjam on the Habs' blueline. And, if anyone recalls the circumstances under which Mailloux was taken 31st in 2021, you'll also know this closes a rather sordid chapter for them. It's another sign that the rebuilding phase is over in Montreal and that this team has – and should have – designs on making noise in the Eastern Conference. Now that they've made the playoffs and meekly bowed out in the first round, next on the docket is being competitive in Round 1 and possibly even winning it. Then you continue the process until you're a legitimate Stanley Cup contender, meaning you're a threat to advance to the conference final every year. So far, the Canadiens have made moves that suggest they're on that path. Watch today's video column for more. Get thelatest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and bysubscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting belowthe article on Copyright 2025 The Hockey News, Roustan Media Ltd.
