National Hockey League

National Hockey League

LaCombe, 24, signed an eight-year deal that carries a $9 million average annual value, a source told ESPN on Thursday. The contract is the largest ever given out by the Ducks. The extension has the same AAV as the deal defenseman Luke Hughes signed with the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday, although that was on a seven-year term. LaCombe's new contract will begin in the 2026-27 season and end in 2033-34.

The Oilers didn't make huge splashes in free agency, with their biggest addition being winger Andrew Mangiapane from Washington and Issac Howard brought in from Tampa Bay. Mangiapane will be a solid option on the wings in the Oilers top nine and has shown in the past that he's capable of a 25 to 30 goal season when put in the right position. Expect to see him used in all situations, and potentially seeing some action on the top line with McDavid throughout the season.

For the Sirens, the 2025-26 campaign is an opportunity to right the ship following consecutive last-place finishes in the PWHL's first two seasons. New York also scored the fewest goals in the PWHL last season. Every season is an opportunity to write a new story, said general manager Pascal Daoust. The Sirens are ready to bring a brand of hockey that is fast, fearless, and intelligent. From the first drop of the puck, we're chasing excellence and building something our entire community can rally behind.

"Just to be able to come back from an injury like I did, that in itself has proven to me how mentally strong I am," Barzal told Ethan Sears of the New York Post before the Islanders' preseason matchup with the Rangers at UBS Arena. "When it happened, when the injury happened, the boys were so gracious with me, just so there for me at all times. It's also a reason why I was able to rehab so well, 'cause I felt so much support for the boys."

Celebrini is slated to practice again on Wednesday, and if he can get through that without any contact restrictions, it would open the door for him to play in one of the Sharks' final two preseason games. I feel good with where I'm at right now, said Celebrini, who said he'll be ready for the Sharks' regular season opener on Oct. 9 at home against the Vegas Golden Knights.

An ASU alumni currently in the NHL will have his number retired this season when Joey Daccord's number 35 is retired in their season opener on October 3rd. The Sun Devils home opener was already highly anticipated since Gavin McKenna will be visiting with Penn State to take on ASU. In addition to being the first ASU player to have his number retired, Daccord was the first ASU player to be drafted, sign with, and play with an NHL team.

As we said a couple of weeks ago when we started, we were hopeful about getting something done and getting that certainty going into the new season. He has been good for us. He obviously has a lot of good hockey ahead of him. We have that out of the way. It is like any deal. There is a give and a take on both sides. I think the number is a good number for us. It gives Anthony some security. We're happy to get it done.

The Minnesota Wild squeaked into the playoffs by clinching a Wild Card spot with one point to spare, but the team faced yet another first-round exit, leaving some unasnwered questions as we approach the 2025-26 season. Can the Wild's young players continue trending in the right direction? The greatest reason for optimism for the Wild is definitely its young squadron of skaters at all positions.

Just to be a part of it and to be in the celebration and the aftermath of it and basically getting to celebrate twice because when he tied the record on Thursday... [We were] partying for two days and then Sunday in New York. I don't think anyone remembers the score of that game, we just remember the fun that we had.

On April 18, 1999, one of the best athletes to ever play the game of hockey took his final bow. That would be Wayne Gretzky, whose professional career came to an end when his New York Rangers played the Pittsburgh Penguins. In the years since then, he has - as many retired athletes tend to do - invested in sport teams and become more involved in politics.Gretzky remains a legend in the sport where he earned the nickname "The Great One," so it's not surprising to learn that memorabilia from his career is in high demand.

You saw it in the skate test - he blew away his group. For a guy his size at his age to be able to be that efficient as a skater is really impressive. For someone that big, that you think is only going to grow into being a big power forward that can skate like that, is very unique.