Welcome back to another summer edition of around the NHL. The 2025 offseason is quietly fading away quickly, as training camps open up in less than a month.
There’s been plenty of movement throughout the summer, as teams across the league look to put last season behind them, and start fresh with a new refreshed squad for 2025-26. This includes the Toronto Maple Leafs, who of course lost Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights, meanwhile added an assortment of middle-six forwards to try and change the makeup of their lineup.
While things have certainly quieted down in Toronto, here’s the very latest from around the NHL:
Jet’s Scheifele excited to witness Toews’ homecoming in Winnipeg
When Jonathan Toews decided after two seasons off that he wanted to return to NHL action, the Winnipeg Jets were quickly the heavy favourite. Toews, a Chicago Blackhawks legend and future hall-of-famer, is from the area, and has made a tremendous impact on the community. The transition should be seamless, and Jets’ forward Mark Scheifele is excited for his front-row seat to it all.
“I thought it kind of was the perfect storm almost,” Scheifele said Saturday, per NHL.com’s Derek Van Diest. “Coming back to Winnipeg, coming back from not playing for a couple of years, I thought it all made so much sense. I was obviously hoping that we were the front-runner and we’re very excited to have him.”
Toews signed a one-year contract worth $2 million, which also includes an additional $5 million in potential performance bonuses. He hasn’t played in two seasons after battling chronic inflammatory response syndrome and numerous symptoms of long COVID.
The 37-year-old won’t be asked to lead the charge in Winnipeg, but could quickly become a perfect number-two centre behind Scheifele, who is excited to learn from one of the greats on a daily basis.
“Obviously he’s a legend, not just in the NHL but Winnipeg especially,” Scheifele said. “I had a number of conversations with him this summer. He’s obviously really excited to get back playing hockey and to be with our group. I’m very excited to have a guy with his stature and his experience and all the above. I’m really excited to play with him.”
With Jets’ captain Adam Lowry expected to miss a decent chunk of the start of the season, Toews has every opportunity to play a significant role right away in Winnipeg. As the veteran centre mentioned earlier in the offseason, he feels his hands are still there, but it may take a little bit for his feet to catch up. Regardless, everyone in hockey is happy to see Toews returning to the ice, and once again healthy.
Brandon Montour has legit shot at Team Canada
Seattle Kraken defenceman Brandon Montour wants to get off to a strong start to the 2025-26 season, not only to help out his Kraken, but to put himself on the map for Team Canada.
Montour had to sit and watch the 4 Nations Face-Off back in February, and it stung to have to be on the sidelines while the very best from his country were competing on the ice. Montour decided he was going to use the World Championships this summer to prove to the program that he belongs, and mission accomplished, the right-handed blueliner ended up collecting nine points in eight games, good for a tie for first among defencemen.
Montour caught up with NHL.com’s Mike Zeisberger at a charity hockey game in Muskoka recently, and opened up building off his production at the Worlds.
“My goal was to play my best and be noticed, it was nice to get that,” Montour explained. “I think I played well at the Worlds and, I mean, I think at this point people know what I bring. But to be recognized, it’s very cool. And just another kind of step to, you know, hopefully playing well and doing well, and making the team.
“I felt like I had the opportunity of making the 4 Nations team; unfortunately, it was not to be. At the same time, I think, for any hockey fan, it’s cool to kind of see the high end, you know, elite of the elite playing, and it gives you the kind of thirst to feel like you could be a part of that. So, yeah, it’s unfortunate not to be part of that tournament, but feel like I can put myself in a good position to be in contention this time around.”
With Alex Pietrangelo of the Vegas Golden Knights no longer an option, Montour has a legit shot at making the team. Cale Makar has already been named, meanwhile Devon Toews, Josh Morrissey, Colton Parayko, Thomas Harley, Shea Theodore, and Drew Doughty will all be on Team Canada’s radar.
“Listen, it’d be definitely super cool to make that team. I think anytime you can represent your country, represent your family, represent people that you know are rooting for you, anytime you wear that jersey is a huge honor. So, I’ve had a good summer so far and am set to have a good training camp and be ready to go for my team. And, of course, be in contention for an Olympic spot.”
Quick hits from around the NHL
- Detroit Red Wings signed defenceman Travis Hamonic to a one-year deal.
- Former Maple Leaf goaltender Ilya Samsonov could be a depth free-agent option for the Edmonton Oilers.
- Oilers’ Stuart Skinner feels the team will regroup from the Stanley Cup Final lost faster this season than last.
- Montreal Canadiens’ great Serge Savard called Lane Hutson the most talented player in Montreal since Guy Lafleur.
- Jack Roslovic continues to be the best free agent available, and continues to be linked to returning to the Hurricanes, or signing with the Maple Leafs.
- The Frontenacs, Rangers, and IceDogs have all bid on the 2027 Memorial Cup.
- New York Rangers added some goaltending depth, signing Dylan Garand and Talyn Boyko to one-year deals.
- Retired NHLer Pat Maroon has joined the Muskegon Lumberjacks’ coaching staff of the USHL.
- Columbus Blue Jackets signed defenceman Daemon Hunt to a one-year contract.
- Former Oilers’ goaltender Olivier Rodrigue has inked a one-year with Barys Astana of the Kontinental Hockey League.