Several sources have told me that the Ottawa Senators are hot on the trail of a big defenseman — and that defenseman may be someone they’re quite familiar with.
A former captain, in fact…
#65 Erik Karlsson.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are not actively shopping Karlsson, but I’m told they’re willing to listen — and that some serious listening has already taken place between Ottawa and Pittsburgh. The Penguins had a fantastic showing last night against the New York Rangers, where you could clearly tell the Pens still have some fight in them — and wanted to prove to their old coach that they remain a force.
The Senators have been rumored to be involved in a blockbuster trade this offseason, and after doing some digging, I was surprised to learn that the “blockbuster” they’re pursuing may in fact involve their former captain. The Penguins would reportedly want a first-round pick, some prospects, and a defenseman capable of filling in for Karlsson. The price feels steep, but I’m told this isn’t a rumor that’s going to fade anytime soon — both sides are expected to keep the conversation going for a while.
SPOILER ALERT: THE 2025-26 Standings
Picks
OK, so here goes nothing… if you don't wanna know what's gonna happen in the NHL season for 24/25 don't read on. I promised you there are tons of spoilers included here…..
The Metro Division
#1 New York Rangers
Yes, they are back. And I really like where they're heading. I think they've added some defenseman that are going to help them a lot and a full year of Miller upfront along with the best goalie in the NHL… a contact here for Panarin. Mike Sullivan. Everything's in place for them.
#2. Carolina Hurricanes
They are solid…adding Ehlers is momentous…They need to get good goaltending, but that's more of a playoff problem.
#3. NJ Devils
One Hughes, Two Hughes, Maybe three Hughes… two solid goaltenders will help keep them and everything and don't think for a second that Jack Hughes won't be ready to kill…
#4. Washington Capitals
Everything went right last year, but the Caps will still be there. They still have a solid team and they are doing a good job at adding young talent in the right way. Maybe be the best coach in the NHL
#5. Columbus Blue Jackets.
They need to have some magic goaltending to get here, but they might and they'll definitely be healthier than they were last year… and they were very impressive last year
#6 Philadelphia Flyers
I think the new coach will have them playing a really solid game by the second half of the season… but I think the changing and coaching styles is so drastic there could be some definite bumps early on..
#7 Pittsburgh Penguins
It's scary as hell to put this team this low. Have I not learned anything about Sydney Crosby?
#8 NY Islanders
I'm gonna be honest and tell you that I think the Penguins Flyers and Islanders could end up in any order.. the Islanders are such a good goalie that it's hard to imagine them finishing last, but I just think that they might.. they need to still figure out scoring..
The Atlantic Division
#1. Montreal Canadiens
OK, this is my surprise pic of the year, but it really isn’t. I believe Hutson wins the Norris? Demidov rookie of the year and Montembeault finalist for the Vezina…Hutson and Caulfield MUST play for Team USA in the Olympics to win gold…
#2. Toronto Maple Leafs.
I expect a huge season out of Auston Matthews. Could be in the MVP running. I also believe heavily in Stolarz and I feel the second full season with Berube could be special.
#3. Florida Panthers.
This is the regular season in Florida Panthers so I'm putting them in third in the Atlantic. This is the team that has a luxury. Few other teams have had in the last decade or so that they can work out on things in the regular season. They have so much depth they can try anything and despite the injuries they will be fine.
#4. Tampa Lightning. WILDCARD
Tampa is always a force and could easily win this division, but I feel like they're stepping back slowly and last year was the first time you started to see it in the playoffs, especially…
#5. Detroit Red Wings. WILDCARD
This is a vital season for the Detroit Red Wings.. I feel like if they don't make the playoffs this year they won't see Stevey Y another year. I like some of the young players and I think they are close. I also like the veterans at the top of this team…they need goaltending of course like everybody does.
#6, Ottawa Senators
I don't see this is so much of a step back for them as I do Detroit in Montreal just getting better a little faster this season.. don't get me wrong. I could win this division. They have that in them, but it's just a really tough division.
#7. Buffalo Sabres
I think the Sabres are going to better but I'm honestly picking them not to make the playoffs because I have predicted them to make the playoffs the last couple years and they haven't so I'm doing the Sabres fans a favor…
#8 Boston Bruins
Putting the Bruins here reminds me a lot of putting the penguins in seventh above. It scares the hell out of me because I know that this is a team that could surprise and be back in the playoffs. It just doesn't feel like it's trending that way.
The Western Conference
The Central Division
#1 Dallas Stars
I believe in Oettinger’s and his desire to be the starting goalie for team USA. I believe he's going to play out of his mind in the beginning of the season and make that point…. This is a great division so anything could happen, but I think that he will propel Dallas to the top spot
#2 Winnipeg Jets
I believe the Jets will be back in a big way… this team is just too good throughout the lineup to not be a top three team in this division.. and of course they have an amazing goaltender…
#3 Minnesota Wild
Really you could throw these teams into a bag and pick out the next three teams in my opinion. I feel like Kaprisov and goaltending is going to pull them into a third and a playoff spot
#4. St Louis Blues- WILDCARD
The blues were the hottest team in the NHL towards the end of last year.. and they almost took out Winnipeg in an incredible series. That tends to carryover with a chip on their shoulder and I think the St. Louis Blues are going to be deadly.
#5. Colorado Avalanche- WILDCARD
#6 Nashville Predators
I think Nashville is gonna be in the playoff race. Everything went wrong last year and that won't happen again. I expect some bounce back, and I really think that the predators are going to be a fun team again.
#7 Utah Mammoth
Everybody seems to be jumping on the mammoth bandwagon. I'm just not there yet. There's still a little bit too much like the coyotes to me. I do think that Clayton Keller could be one of the top goal scorers in the NHL and this team could still have a little issue getting into the playoffs.
#8 Chicago Blackhawks
This is a horrific division for the Blackhawks to be in right now… it's just they are not geared to play in this division and that might be something they have to look more closely at. Their lineup is more set up for like the metro.
The Pacific Division
#1 Vegas Golden Knights.
Last year, I really screwed this one up because I put the Knights out of the playoffs. And I pretty much regretted it immediately. Even though Jack Eichel is not signed yet. I think he is going to make a run for the MVP this season… and I do believe Carte Hart will be there starting goalie in the playoffs
#2 Edmonton Oilers
All the pressures on management now that McDavid has done everything you can possibly do to give them the chance to win in the next couple years. It will come down to goaltending again, and I think they should really look throughout the season at trading for a guy who can really do something for them in net. Or maybe they have the goaltender… but they better be damn sure.
#3. San Jose Sharks
Many of you will be surprised to know that I think the sharks will make the playoffs this year because I think they are one of the fastest playing teams in the NHL and I think they have some stars that are elite.. Macklin Celebrini is right there with Nathan McKinnon in my opinion. And way above all the other recent first overall. Misa, Eklund, Smith, Goodrow, Wennberg, Toffoli….Leddy, Klingberg…and a star in the making in net in Askarov. The Sharks and Canadiens will be the surprise team for this season.
#4. Calgary Flames
Dustin Wolfe will be in the running for the Vezina and keep this team very close to the playoffs. It's very tough to say who finishes in this spot Calgary or LA.
#5 LA Kings
The loss of Gavrikov is not a small loss for this team that needs defense… this is Kopitar’s last year and the Kings can score a goal goals for sure… last year they got very good goaltending that has to happen again for them to make the playoffs and I'm not quite sure I can in the same way..
#6 Vancouver Canucks
At first glance, I thought about putting Vancouver up in fourth or even third. It's not a question that they have a serious rebound year and they made some nice moves in the summer. This is one of the ones that I feel like I might be wrong on.
#7 Seattle Kraken
I just don't think they have enough to compete for a playoff spot. But they're gonna be a team. That's always gonna be a tough out and they're going to drive some teams crazy for sure.
#8 Anaheim Ducks
I don't quite understand the plan in Anaheim…. They say they're trying to compete now and at the same time they are making moves that look like they're planning for the future or perhaps a first overall pick.
And that's exactly how it's gonna happen this year. Tell me where I'm wrong.