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NHL News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Islanders' Matthew Schaefer Draws Comparisons to Makar and Heiskanen

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New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer, the No. 1 overall pick in 2025, is drawing comparisons to elite defensemen Cale Makar and Miro Heiskanen. Schaefer recently held Makar's Avalanche to two shots on goal in 5:38 of ice time. Heiskanen, whom Schaefer also admires, has three goals and 14 assists for 17 points in 19 games for the Dallas Stars. Schaefer himself has seven goals and eight assists for 15 points in 19 games, leading all defensemen in goals. He is seen as a key player for the Islanders' future success.

Sam Reinhart Inks Massive Extension After Career Year, Continues Elite Production for Panthers

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Sam Reinhart recently delivered three assists, two on the power play, in Monday's 8-5 victory over the Canucks. This performance follows his significant eight-year, $69 million contract extension with the Florida Panthers, securing him through the 2031-32 season, a deal signed a week after winning the Stanley Cup. Reinhart earned this extension on the heels of a career-best season, achieving 57 goals, 94 points, and 34 power-play points. While his 24.5 percent shooting percentage suggests a potential regression to around 40 goals in 2024-25, he is expected to maintain elite fantasy production, firmly cemented on the first line and No. 1 power-play unit. His tenure with the Panthers, starting in 2021-22 after a trade from the Sabres, has seen him consistently exceed 30 goals, including 33 goals and 82 points in his first year and 31 goals and 67 points in 2022-23. Drafted second overall in 2014, Reinhart has evolved from a promising Sabres prospect, known for his high hockey IQ and two-way play, into a consistent top-tier scorer for one of the NHL's best teams.

Quinn Hughes Continues Elite Offensive Production with Three Assists, Eyes Scoring Title

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Quinn Hughes, 24, recorded three assists, including one on the power play, in Monday's 8-5 loss to the Panthers. Already a top offensive defenseman, he set career highs in 2023-24 with 17 goals and 92 points across 82 games, marking his third straight season exceeding 65 points and fifth over 40. Over the last three years, his 236 points rank third among defensemen. Known for his power-play quarterbacking, he earned 34 of his 76 points with the man advantage last season and finished with a plus-15 rating. While not strong in non-offensive categories, Hughes is expected to compete for the defensemen scoring title in 2024-25, maintaining a point-per-game pace and elite fantasy value. He was a Calder Trophy nominee in 2019-20, losing to Cale Makar, and is considered a must-own in dynasty formats.

Elias Pettersson Scores Twice, Poised for Continued Offensive Leadership on New Contract

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Elias Pettersson scored two goals in Monday's 8-5 loss to the Panthers. Coming off a 2023-24 season with 34 goals and 89 points in 82 games, he gears up for the first year of his eight-year, $92.8 million deal. The 25-year-old center previously set career highs with 39 goals and 102 points in 2022-23, where his goal output was bolstered by exceeding three shots per game, despite a 15.2% shooting percentage. A fantastic two-way forward, he also contributed nine shorthanded points, 25 power-play points, and 89 blocked shots. While a point-per-game pace is expected, reaching 40 goals may require more shots. Pettersson, a Calder Trophy winner, remains a premier fantasy asset and Vancouver's most dynamic player, despite a wrist injury sidelining him for part of the 2020-21 season.

Noah Ostlund Records First Career Multi-Goal Game in Sabres' Victory

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Noah Ostlund, the 21-year-old center and 16th overall pick in the 2022 Draft, scored two goals, including one on the power play, on three shots, adding two blocked shots and a plus-2 rating in Monday's 5-1 win over the Oilers. This marked his first multi-goal performance, showcasing nifty stickhandling and a sharp shot past Stuart Skinner. Ostlund, who signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Sabres in July 2022, has now accumulated three goals and five points in his last seven games as he begins to find his comfort zone in the NHL.

Jeff Petry Celebrates 1,000th NHL Game with Florida Panthers

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Former Montreal Canadiens defenseman Jeff Petry skated in his 1,000th NHL game with the Florida Panthers. Petry spent eight seasons with the Canadiens, where he became a significant part of their blueline, recording 248 points in 508 games. His career in Montreal was impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, leading to a trade request. After stints with Pittsburgh and Detroit, Petry signed a one-year deal with the Panthers hoping to win a Stanley Cup. He has accumulated 390 points in his 1,000-game career, with 64% of his offensive production coming during his time with Montreal. The Panthers honored Petry in a pregame ceremony.

Flyers Must Prioritize Young Talent Development, Including Michkov and Bump

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The Philadelphia Flyers face a critical juncture in developing their young prospects, including Matvei Michkov and Alex Bump. Coach Rick Tocchet has been hesitant to fully integrate youth, leading to concerns about players like Nikita Grebenkin and Michkov playing limited minutes. Bump, with 13 points in 15 AHL games, is showing offensive promise and could be a top-nine option, but the team must ensure he receives adequate ice time. The Flyers need to establish a clear plan for their prospects to avoid them fading into obscurity, especially as they rank seventh-worst in the NHL in goals scored.

Monday, November 17, 2025

Alex Ovechkin Reaches 903 Career Goals, Surpasses Howe in Venue Scoring Record

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Alex Ovechkin achieved a significant milestone on Monday night, scoring his 903rd career NHL goal as the Washington Capitals defeated the Los Angeles Kings 2-1. This goal was his 442nd at Capital One Arena, allowing him to surpass Gordie Howe for the most regular-season goals scored at a single venue in NHL history. Ovechkin's second-period goal, assisted by Connor McMichael, contributed to the Capitals ending a two-game losing skid. The veteran forward has been in strong form, having now scored in back-to-back games and three of his past four overall, providing crucial offense for Washington.

Vladimir Tarasenko Struggles with Minnesota Wild, Scoring Only Twice in First 18 Games

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Two-time Stanley Cup-winning forward Vladimir Tarasenko is struggling with the Minnesota Wild, having scored only twice in his first 18 games since being traded by the Red Wings on June 30. This move followed a disappointing 2024-25 season in Detroit, where he managed just 11 goals and 22 assists in 80 games during his sole campaign with the team. Tarasenko was signed by the Red Wings in 2024, just weeks after helping the Florida Panthers win the Stanley Cup, with expectations to provide timely offense. He scored his first career NHL goal against the Red Wings in January 2013 as a member of the St. Louis Blues and is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in the upcoming offseason.

Joe Veleno Endures Career-Worst Start with Canadiens, Remains Pointless Through 13 Games

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Joe Veleno, now playing for the Montreal Canadiens, is experiencing one of the worst starts to an NHL campaign in his career, having yet to register a single point through his first 13 games. This follows a rough start last season where he recorded only one assist in his initial 11 games before scoring in his 12th contest. The Quebec-born forward signed with the Canadiens during the offseason after being placed on unconditional waivers by the Seattle Kraken for a buyout. His recent trade history includes being sent from the Red Wings to the Chicago Blackhawks on March 7 for Petr Mrazek and Craig Smith, and then to the Kraken on June 21 for André Burakovsky. Veleno, drafted 30th overall by the Red Wings in 2018, is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in the upcoming offseason.

Penguins' Rookie Harrison Brunicke Eligible for AHL Conditioning Loan After NHL Scratches

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Pittsburgh Penguins' 19-year-old rookie defenseman Harrison Brunicke is eligible for an AHL conditioning loan after being a healthy scratch for five consecutive NHL games, including Sunday's win. This loophole allows him to play for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) Penguins for a maximum of 14 days or five games, delaying the activation of his entry-level contract. Brunicke, selected 44th overall in 2024, has played nine NHL games this season, last appearing on Nov. 3 with a minus-2 rating. While showing high-ceiling offensive potential, he's still developing NHL reads and net-front play. He previously played 10 regular season and two playoff games with WBS in 2024-25, registering a goal and two points in the playoffs as an 18-year-old, and is eligible for Team Canada at the World Junior Championship.

Seth Jones' Two Power Play Goals Propel Florida Panthers to High-Scoring Victory

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Defenseman Seth Jones was a key offensive contributor for the Florida Panthers, scoring two power play goals in their resounding 8-5 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Monday night. Jones ignited the scoring by tying the game at two in the final seconds of the first period, beating Jiri Patera five-hole after a give-and-go with Sam Reinhart. He then added his second power play goal with 11:41 remaining in the game, taking another smart pass from Reinhart and one-timing it into an open far side of the cage, helping the Panthers secure the high-scoring win.

Karel Vejmelka Set to Start Against Ducks, Looks to Improve Recent Performance

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Karel Vejmelka, the 29-year-old Utah goaltender, is confirmed to start in the road blue paint against the Ducks in Anaheim on Monday, November 17, 2025. Vejmelka, who signed a five-year, $23.75 million contract extension with Utah in March 2025, has experienced an alternating pattern of wins and losses in his last four starts, posting a 2-1-1 record with a 2.97 GAA and an .852 save percentage over that stretch. For the 2025 season, his overall statistics include 8 wins, 4 losses, 0 shutouts, a 2.84 GAA, and an .880 save percentage. He faces a Ducks team that, despite a recent three-game losing streak where they scored only four goals, still ranks tied for second in the NHL with 3.67 goals per game.

John Carlson Returns to Capitals Lineup for Monday's Bruins Matchup

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John Carlson (upper body) is confirmed to be in the lineup for Monday's road matchup versus the Bruins. The 34-year-old blueliner had a productive 2023-24 season, surpassing the 50-point mark for the sixth time in his career with 10 goals and 42 assists in 82 regular-season contests. After a slow start, he surged with nine tallies and 33 points in his final 47 outings, contributing to the Capitals' playoff berth. Carlson also recorded 21 power-play points, 176 shots on goal, 194 blocked shots, and 69 hits. His offensive numbers are projected to improve following Washington's summer retool, with expectations of him being a 60-70 point player quarterbacking the top power-play unit. A high-floor, high-ceiling fantasy option, Carlson has consistently delivered, including at least 70 points in three of the past four seasons and a career-high 75 points in 69 games in 2019-20. He successfully recovered from a skull fracture sustained in 2022-23, adding eight points in 10 games upon his return.

Dennis Gilbert Returns to Ottawa Senators in Trade with Philadelphia Flyers

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Defenseman Dennis Gilbert, a 29-year-old, 6'3", 216-pound left-shot blueliner, was traded back to the Ottawa Senators from the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday, November 17, 2025, in exchange for Maxence Guenette. Gilbert had signed a one-year deal with the Flyers in the offseason but did not see NHL action, recording one assist and a plus-1 rating in six games with their AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. His return to Ottawa comes after a previous four-game stint with the Senators last season, following a trade from Buffalo. The Senators acquired him to address defensive depth concerns due to Thomas Chabot's injury and Donovan Sebrango's waiver claim. A 2015 Blackhawks draft pick, Gilbert has 3 goals and 20 points in 111 career NHL games and 58 points in 194 AHL games, and is expected to join Ottawa as the seventh defenseman for their upcoming seven-game road trip.

Pyotr Kochetkov Set to Start Against Hot Bruins, Boasts Strong Career Record vs. Boston

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Pyotr Kochetkov, the 26-year-old Carolina Hurricanes goalie, is slated to start Monday's game at TD Garden against the Boston Bruins. Kochetkov enters the contest with a strong 3-0-0 record, a 1.93 GAA, and a .908 save percentage over four appearances in the 2025-26 season. Despite facing a red-hot Bruins team, who are 8-2-0 in their last 10 games, Kochetkov has historically performed well against Boston, holding a career record of 3-0-1 with an impressive .929 save percentage and 1.97 GAA across four regular-season outings. He previously signed a four-year, $8 million contract with the Hurricanes in November of 2022.

Nashville Predators Reassign Forward Joakim Kemell to Milwaukee Admirals

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Nashville Predators forward Joakim Kemell was reassigned to the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) on Monday, November 17, 2025. Kemell had been recalled on November 10 following Zachary L'Heuruex's lower-body injury but did not play in any games during his recent NHL stint, which included a road game against the New York Rangers and two NHL Global Series games in Sweden. This season, he has only played two games with Nashville (Oct. 9 vs. Columbus and Oct. 13 vs. Ottawa) and has recorded a goal and five assists in six games with Milwaukee. His reassignment could signal the imminent return of forward Cole Smith, who suffered an upper-body injury on November 1.

Thomas Chabot Placed on Injured Reserve with Upper-Body Injury, Outlook for Future Seasons

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Thomas Chabot, the Ottawa Senators' top defenseman, was recently placed on injured reserve due to an upper-body injury. This adds to a history of injuries for the 27-year-old, who has consistently reached the 30-point milestone in his past six campaigns despite never playing more than 71 games in a season and appearing in fewer than 60 in two of his last three. Last season, he recorded nine goals and 30 points in 51 contests, and in 2022-23, he tallied 11 goals and 41 points in 68 games before wrist surgery, though he was expected to be ready for the start of this season. Chabot is a workhorse, averaging 26:12 of ice time last season, second in the league. He's locked into a top-pair role and the first power-play unit, making him a strong candidate for 30-40 points, with 50-point upside if healthy, especially if paired with Jakob Chychrun. Despite a concerning minus-15 rating last season, his offensive potential is high, and he's considered a buy-low fantasy candidate.

Patrik Laine Lands on Injured Reserve with Abdominal Issue Following Montreal Trade

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Patrik Laine, recently traded to the Montreal Canadiens, has been placed on injured reserve with an abdomen injury. This follows a tumultuous period for Laine, who missed significant time last season with Columbus due to a broken collarbone and entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program in January, from which he was cleared in late July. He recorded six goals and nine points in 18 games for Columbus. After expressing a desire to move on, he was traded to Montreal, where he was expected to play a second-line role and join the top power-play unit. However, a left knee sprain in preseason sidelined him for 2-3 months. Despite a career marked by injuries, Laine has shown elite scoring ability, tallying 48 goals and 108 points in 111 games over his last two seasons in Columbus. He's a pure goal scorer with a wicked wrister, having hit 30 goals three times, including 44 in 2017-18, and is expected to contribute nearly a point per game when healthy.

Jiri Patera Set for Canucks Season Debut Against Panthers Monday

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Jiri Patera, a 26-year-old goaltender, is slated to make his season debut for the Vancouver Canucks on Monday, November 17, 2025, defending the road crease against the Florida Panthers. This start comes as the Canucks play the second half of a back-to-back set. Patera signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Canucks in July 2024, was waived by them in October 2024, and then claimed off waivers by the Bruins in October 2024. Despite this, he is making his season debut for the Canucks. He has previously made eight NHL appearances for the Golden Knights, posting a 3-3-1 record with a 3.58 GAA and .902 save percentage. The Panthers currently rank among the league's lowest-scoring teams, averaging 2.72 goals per game.