“I think we have got to come back with vengeance,” Rempe said about the Rangers’ upcoming season, per Mollie Walker of the New York Post, at the Shoulder Check Showcase annual event.

Coming from Rempe, those words should send chills down the spine of every player in the NHL. Not many will want to be on the ice when Rempe takes his first shift of the season on Sept. 29 against the Boston Bruins. That is, of course, if he makes the active roster for opening night—and that’s still a big if.

Rempe’s spot is on the line

Rempe will have to prove his worth when the Blueshirts take the ice for training camp. Although he is impossible to miss thanks to his 6-foot-9 frame, Rempe was noticeably absent for much of last NHL season. The forward admitted he still has work to do before he is fully recovered from his left thumb injury, but has made significant progress and is no longer dealing with pain.

As a result of the injury and the subsequent surgeries, Rempe appeared in only 26 games last season. Even when he was available, however, he wasn’t at his best, so there’s reason to believe Mike Sullivan may have scratched him or even sent him down to the AHL for stretches of the season anyway. It’s impossible to say for certain, though.

Regardless, it’s clear Rempe must turn the tide heading into the 2026-27 season. If he can’t provide the team with more than fights, big hits that often lead to costly penalties, and his high-energy—yet risky—style of play, then he may not have a permanent spot in the lineup, and New York could be better off without him.

Rangers face big decision, even bigger season

That’s for Sullivan and his staff to evaluate, but Rempe must enter training camp and the preseason like rent is due—because, in a way, it is. This is the final season of his current contract in the Big Apple. Next summer, Rempe will become a restricted free agent, and uncertainty looms over his future.

Vengeance, redemption, a breakout season—you name it. That’s what’s at stake for Rempe. And for the Rangers as well. Last season reached historic lows at Madison Square Garden, and the Blueshirts won’t be allowed to put yet another lackluster act in Broadway.

The elephant in the room is impossible to miss. Larkin’s trade request shattered the bond between the Red Wings and their captain. In fact, things appear so tense between the two sides that the organization couldn’t even put on a happy face on social media, where everything is known for being superficial.

As Larkin turned 30, Detroit posted a picture of him with “Happy Birthday” embedded in the image. The post’s caption, however, was conspicuous by its absence. The text was limited to two birthday and celebration emojis. If the rest of the NHL needed any further proof that Larkin won’t be in Michigan much longer, this supposed-to-be-happy message may have served as confirmation.

Patrick Kane’s admission suggesting Larkin’s trade request played a role in his own exit from Detroit may have added yet another straw, and the camel’s back can take no more. The question now is where Larkin will be traded, but it’s obvious to see there is no way back, and the fans made it equally clear they want their captain out.

Fans react to Larkin’s birthday

Needless to say, the loyal fan base in Motor City didn’t have many joyful messages for the captain on his birthday. However, many did hope Larkin’s birthday wish would come true—but only because it would mean he’d leave the organization before the 2026-27 NHL season.

“I hope he gets the Birthday wishes that we all want which is for him to find a new team,” a Red Wings fan replied to the team’s birthday post on X. “Where’s the birthday party, Vegas, Florida or Minnesota?” another user ironically asked. “It has been reported that he would like to trade his birthday cake,” a Wings fan commented.

Clearly, the issue is far from forgotten, and with tensions this high it feels impossible for Larkin and the Red Wings to work things out. A trade appears to be the only plausible solution, and it would certainly make Larkin’s potential return to Little Caesars Arena in the future must-see TV.

Detroit sports fans set to lose two stars

The sports landscape in Detroit makes for an interesting contrast. In MLB, the Detroit Tigers appear set to trade their best pitcher and longtime player, Tarik Skubal, ahead of the deadline. The Red Wings face no such ticking clock, but are also on track to part ways with a player drafted by the organization.

Neither has won a championship for Detroit, yet the situations couldn’t be any more different. Skubal appears to be heading out as a hero, while Larkin is already public enemy No. 1. No man is a prophet in his own land, but being born and raised in Michigan, Larkin never expected things to reach this state.

However, if he fails to find his footing and the clock starts ticking, a trade may become the wisest option for the Blueshirts. If that happens, three teams with young rosters and a major need on the blue line could come knocking on Chris Drury’s door.

“I’ve wondered about defense-needy teams like the Anaheim Ducks, Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks,” Vincent Mercogliano wrote on The Athletic about a potential trade involving Schneider.

Ducks, Sharks, and Blackhawks make sense

Should any of the Ducks, Sharks, or Blackhawks call the Rangers to ask about Schneider, it wouldn’t be surprising. The three boast young lineups in which the offense features an elite center and enough talent—albeit to different extents on each team—to send chills down the spine of opposing defenses.

Another thing the three potential landing spots for Schneider have in common is that each has broken the piggy bank to extend its franchise center. Macklin Celebrini’s new contract with the Sharks set a record-breaking average annual value (AAV), while Leo Carlsson and Connor Bedard will still earn more than Celebrini next season. Still, there is a glaring void on the blue line for all three clubs, especially when it comes to depth.

Indeed, each team has—or at least hopes it has—its franchise life-changing defenseman: Anaheim has Jackson LaCombe, San Jose drafted Keaton Verhoeff, and Chicago traded for Bowen Byram while hoping Artyom Levshunov develops into an elite blueliner. Going further down the pairings, however, that’s where trouble lies for the Ducks, Sharks, and Blackhawks.

Schneider could still enter his prime

Schneider, who is still only 24 years old, could turn out to be a crucial depth addition, and a long-term one at that. For him, a change of scenery may be all he needs, and for the Rangers, trading him wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world—provided they receive a fitting offer.

The Blueshirts know, even if they can’t figure it out themselves, that Schneider is fixable. Thus, they can’t demand top dollar, but they won’t settle for peanuts in return, either. Finding that sweet spot in between is what it’s all about.

Perhaps it will be Anaheim, Chicago, or San Jose that comes through with the right offer. Or maybe a dark horse takes Schneider off the Blueshirts’ hands. The defenseman being re-signed in the Big Apple remains an option on the table, though it continues to inch closer to the edge with each passing day.

New Rangers in New York

New York revamped its defense during the offseason and, in fact, is in greater need of help in its top-six forward group. With Schneider, patience appears to be running low, and the fact the two sides agreed only to a one-year deal—largely to avoid arbitration—could indicate trouble.

Moreover, Mike Sullivan is trying to establish a new Rangers identity that hinges on Igor Shesterkin’s long-term commitment and a solid defensive corps. If Schneider finally breaks out and establishes himself, great. But if not, the Blueshirts have a backup plan. They made sure to lay the foundation during the offseason. Drafting Alberts Smits was further proof of that.

Unlike what happened with Schneider, New York will hope not to burn out its first-round defenseman this time around. At least, that’s easier said than done while the regular season still feels distant. Once the puck drops and the team needs answers, the original plan may be tossed out the window.

Heading into the 2026-27 NHL campaign, Bedard finally moved off his RFA status and signed a long extension with the Blackhawks. Under his current deal, Bedard will make an average salary of $15 million over the next five years. Bedard’s extension runs through 2031, when he will become an UFA at the age of 25.

During the 2026-27 NHL season, however, Bedard will earn a total salary of $17 million, according to PuckPedia. Celebrini, on the other hand, won’t come close to that figure. The Sharks will pay Celebrini a salary of $975,000 next season because he is still under his entry-level contract.

Celebrini is still on rookie contract

The record-breaking deal Celebrini signed—setting the highest average annual value (AAV) in NHL history—won’t kick in until the 2027-28 season. The wait will be well worth it, though.

In 2027-28, Celebrini is set to earn a $20.8 million salary from the Sharks. As things stand, that would be the highest annual salary in the NHL two seasons from now. During the 2027-28 campaign, the North Vancouver duo’s salaries will combine for a total of $36.8 million.

However, with pending unrestricted free agents such as Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, and Jason Robertson, combined with the league’s rising salary cap, many around the NHL wonder whether another record-breaking contract could be signed in the near future.

Bedard’s deal puts him in great spot

Based on AAV, Bedard ranks fourth among all NHL contracts (third if only active contracts are considered, which would leave Celebrini out of the equation). In terms of total value, however, Bedard’s five-year, $75 million contract falls all the way to 35th in the league.

Still, the 21-year-old may not have wanted it any other way. In 2031, Bedard will get the chance to test free agency as a 25-year-old. With his prime years still ahead of him and coming off character-testing seasons with the Blackhawks, Bedard could be in line for a massive payday on the open market.

And even if he wants to stay in Chicago, the possibility of losing him in free agency would likely push the Blackhawks to go above and beyond with a top-of-the-market offer. All things considered, the timing couldn’t be much better for the North Vancouver native. It isn’t luck, though. This is exactly what Bedard’s camp was after and why it had no interest in signing a maximum-term deal.

Now in second place among the highest-paid players by annual salary is Leo Carlsson of the Anaheim Ducks, with an $18 million AAV. The top three is completed by Kirill Kaprizov of the Minnesota Wild, who earns a $17 million AAV.

By signing this contract, Celebrini secured a total deal worth $94 million, ranking 8th in terms of total contract value. The undisputed leader in this ranking is Kaprizov, with a total value of $136 million.

Connor Bedard also has a significant contract

After proving himself as a elite talent in his first three seasons and winning the Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year, Connor Bedard signed a major five-year contract extension with the Chicago Blackhawks in July 2026 worth $75 million. Running through the 2030–31 season, the deal carries an average annual cap hit of $15 million, firmly cementing the 21-year-old superstar as the cornerstone and long-term centerpiece of the franchise.

McDavid secured a long-term extension

Connor McDavid signed a two-year contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers in July 2025 worth $25 million. Running through the 2027–28 season with an average annual value of $12.5 million, the landmark deal secures the three-time Hart Trophy winner as the heart and soul of the Oilers franchise for the prime of his career.

Macklin Celebrini ready to push the Sharks forward

Following his contract extension, Macklin Celebrini is fully set on etching his name into San Jose Sharks history by guiding the franchise to its first-ever Stanley Cup. After suffering a heartwrenching defeat to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2016 Finals, the franchise has been hungering for another shot at hockey’s ultimate prize.

Now, anchored long-term as the undisputed center of the Sharks’ rebuild, the young phenom embraces the responsibility of driving a new era for San Jose and bringing the Cup to the Bay Area at last.

According to Michael Russo of The Athletic, Guerin is expected to meet with Hughes’ camp as both sides continue exploring a potential contract extension. “Believe Bill Guerin will be meeting with Quinn Hughes and his camp in Michigan today/this week. As we’ve long reported, Wild want to go 5-8 years (7-year max term after Sept. 16 in new CBA). 3-year extension still makes most sense for Quinn so he can align with Jack’s deal in New Jersey.“

Hughes joined Minnesota after the Wild acquired him from the Vancouver Canucks in a major trade that sent defenseman Zeev Buium, forwards Marco Rossi and Liam Ohgren, and a first-round draft pick to Vancouver. The veteran defenseman immediately became a key piece of the franchise’s plans.

What contract length could Quinn Hughes sign with the Wild?

Minnesota reportedly prefers a long-term commitment, with the organization interested in a deal ranging between five and eight years. However, Hughes could have a different priority as he evaluates his future.

A shorter three-year extension could allow Hughes to reach free agency at a similar time as his brother Jack Hughes, who remains under contract with the New Jersey Devils through 2030. That timeline could provide the defenseman with additional flexibility later in his career.

The upcoming decision will also be influenced by the NHL’s salary structure. Hughes is entering the final season of his six-year, $47.1 million contract, which carries an annual cap hit of $7.85 million.

How important has Quinn Hughes been for Minnesota?

Hughes continued to prove why he is considered one of the NHL’s elite defensemen. In the 2025-26 season, he recorded seven goals and 76 points in 74 games between Vancouver and Minnesota while averaging 27:44 of ice time per game.

During the playoffs, Hughes elevated his performance even further, producing four goals and 15 points in 11 postseason games while averaging more than 30 minutes of ice time per contest.

His impact has extended beyond the NHL as well. Hughes helped the United States win Olympic gold at Milano Cortina 2026 and was named the tournament’s best defenseman.

In the past, the Rangers have seen young players wear down under lofty expectations right from the start. With Smits, New York wants to get it right, and reports indicate Mike Sullivan and company are setting a clear ceiling for him. The higher a rookie flies, the harder the fall can be, and the Blueshirts want to avoid that scenario.

“The third-pair left defense spot is probably the highest Smits would get with a fully healthy defensive corps. That would bump Matthew Robertson to the extra defenseman,” Peter Baugh wrote on The Athletic.

NY Rangers addressed their defense

It was one of the main issues fans wanted fixed ahead of the 2026-27 NHL season. On paper, the Rangers have accomplished their goal. Their blue line now features several new faces while retaining cornerstone pieces like Adam Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov.

If the Rangers are serious about their new team identity—one built around Igor Shesterkin’s long-term commitment and a strong defensive foundation—then this offseason has them moving in the right direction. With the additions of Marcus Pettersson and Sean Durzi, along with the re-signing of Braden Schneider, even if only on a one-year deal, New York’s defensive corps is set.

NY Rangers plan to give Smits time

Whether Smits breaks out in training camp or needs more time, the Rangers aren’t burdening their first-round pick with sky-high expectations from day one. Sure, they’d like to see encouraging progress from the Latvian teenager, but they knew they were making a developmental selection when they turned in his name at the 2026 NHL Draft.

Smits could be in the lineup on opening night of the 2026-27 NHL season or begin the year in the AHL with the Hartford Wolf Pack, and the Rangers would likely be satisfied with either outcome. New York would love for Smits to suddenly blossom into an NHL regular and put up Matthew Schaefer-like numbers as a rookie, but that’s unrealistic—even in a city like the Big Apple.

At the end of the day, Smits is only 18 years old, and his only games in North America have come while representing Latvia at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship and the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship. The Rangers have made mistakes in the past, but they appear determined not to repeat them in the way they develop their top selection from the 2026 NHL Draft.

“I think that eventually Nicklas Lidstrom will be involved in some type of management capacity,” Jeff Marek commented on the Sekeres & Price podcast.

Considering Lidstrom is currently Detroit’s vice president of hockey operations, there’s reason to believe he could take over the reins as general manager. Lidstrom was appointed as VP of hockey ops in Jan. 2022, and a promotion might be in order for the 56-year-old ahead of the 2026-27 NHL campaign.

Red Wings face key decisions

While Larkin makes the Red Wings speculate about his trade list, the franchise still has to determine who will serve as general manager heading into the 2026-27 NHL season. Yzerman has stepped down in a move reportedly made to convince Larkin to stay in Detroit, leaving the position vacant.

Without a sitting general manager, the Red Wings have had to put several key decisions on hold. Among them is Alex DeBrincat’s future. Although reports indicate DeBrincat won’t follow Larkin’s lead and request a trade, the uncertainty is driving fans crazy, as the team’s leading goal scorer isn’t under contract beyond next summer.

Needless to say, Lidstrom—or whoever is ultimately appointed as the next general manager—will have to tackle these issues immediately. A lot is on the line for Detroit, and there is little time to waste.

Lidstrom’s résumé

Just like Yzerman, Lidstrom spent his entire NHL career with the Red Wings and helped shape the best years in franchise history since the Original Six era ended. Lidstrom wore the Wings’ sweater for 20 seasons, leading the club to four Stanley Cups (1997, 1998, 2002, and 2008).

Although the “Yzerplan” didn’t quite work out for Detroit, the Red Wings may believe Lidstrom can get the organization over the hump and back where it belongs. Whether Lidstrom will actually be promoted to general manager remains to be seen, and such a decision could draw mixed opinions among the fan base.

At the end of the day, no one can dispute Lidstrom’s NHL résumé as one of the greatest defensemen in league history. However, as an executive, his fingerprints are also all over a team that has now missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for 10 consecutive seasons.

Red Wings must snap playoff drough

As a player, Lidstrom never missed the postseason. As vice president of hockey operations, he has yet to help Detroit get back there. Whether that is a fair evaluation or not is up for debate, but the numbers are there. Just as they paint a clear picture of his success on the ice, they also illustrate how difficult things have been for the Red Wings’ front office in recent years.

“With Shesterkin and their defense, I think they’re going to be competing for the Jennings Trophy for the lowest goals against in the league. That’s what, to me, it looks like the Rangers are trying to do this year,” former NHL goalie Martin Byron stated on Rangers Recon podcast.

Whether the Rangers can truly become one of the NHL‘s best teams at shutting down opponents during the 2026-27 season may ultimately come down to Shesterkin’s performance. And if Sullivan and company want this blueprint to work over the long term, they need their star goaltender to be certain he wants to see out his contract in Manhattan.

Shesterkin’s future

So far, so good, but the speculation surrounding Shesterkin’s future remains loud, and another disappointing season may be the final straw for him. Shesterkin is entering the second year of his eight-year, $92.48 million contract.

On paper, being signed through 2033 on the richest contract ever handed to an NHL goaltender should leave little doubt that the Russian netminder is in New York City to stay. However, crazier things have happened, and if Shesterkin decides he wants out of New York, he can choose his destination thanks to his full no-movement clause (NMC).

A franchise like the Florida Panthers has long been mentioned as a potential landing spot, and if things don’t improve for the Rangers anytime soon, Shesterkin may very well decide to find out whether the grass really is greener elsewhere.

NY Rangers’ new defense

As badly as things went for the Blueshirts last season, they still finished in the upper half of the league in goals allowed. New York ranked 15th after allowing 249 goals in 82 games, or an average of 3.04 goals per outing.

Obviously, the fact that the Rangers ranked 10th worst in goals scored (2.87 goals per game) didn’t help and goes a long way toward explaining why they lost far more games than they won.

Heading into the 2026-27 campaign, however, things are looking up. New York’s revamped defensive corps includes Adam Fox, Vladislav Gavrikov, Marcus Pettersson, Sean Durzi, Braden Schneider, Urho Vaakanainen, and Matthew Robertson. Moreover, Vincent Iorio (RFA) and Alberts Smits (No. 5 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft) could also be added to the mix.

NY Rangers have high hopes

That blue-line core, combined with Shesterkin as the starter, Joonas Korpisalo filling in when needed, and Sullivan behind the bench, could very well set the Rangers up for a strong season.

The retool may hit paydirt right away for Chris Drury and company, but it may all hinge on New York becoming a defensive powerhouse, with Shesterkin serving as the cornerstone. Otherwise, it could all come crashing down like a house of cards.

However, while discussing the new bench boss in the Gateway to the North, McDavid said something that may have been aimed at Edmonton’s former head coach, Knoblauch, who led the team to consecutive Stanley Cup Finals in 2024 and 2025, but was fired after the 2025-26 NHL campaign.

“You name it, [Babcock] has done it. It’s a great opportunity for us players to be coached by somebody like him. Where our group is at and what we’re looking for, he’s a perfect fit. He’s not going to need to come in and find who he is as a coach,” McDavid admitted to media during a charity event in Toronto. “Our job as players is to be ready to go.“

Apparent shot at Knoblauch

Some might say it’s reading too much into McDavid’s words, but it can also be argued that nothing is said by accident. What exactly did McDavid mean when he said Babcock won’t have to find himself as a coach?

Reading between the lines, it certainly looks like a knock on Knoblauch, who had no NHL head coaching experience before taking over the reins in Edmonton—aside from a six-game shift to cover for New York Rangers’ David Quinn when he was placed on the COVID-19 protocol list.

Knoblauch did guide the team to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals, but he couldn’t get it done, and there was plenty of speculation that his game plan fell apart on the biggest stage, especially with the Oilers going up against a Florida Panthers squad that Paul Maurice had built to peak in the postseason.

The Oilers and their ghosts from the past

In 2024, the Oilers lost the final in seven games, but only after spending most of the series on the brink of elimination following Game 3. In 2025, Edmonton fell to Florida in six games, though that series felt far more lopsided than the final score suggested. Whenever the Panthers were clicking, they overwhelmed the Oilers, and Knoblauch had no answers.

Last season, Edmonton didn’t even make it past the first round against an Anaheim Ducks team that shocked the league, and that was ultimately the end of the line for Knoblauch.

Looking at the way most fans in the Gateway to the North talk about Knoblauch’s time, one may never guess his résumé included consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances. In a place that prides itself on being the City of Champions, second-place medals aren’t enough.

McDavid, Oilers set for new beginning

McDavid’s latest comments may shed some light on the reported tension between the players and the former coaching staff. If that’s the case, it also paints a clearer picture of why the front office landed on Babcock as Knoblauch’s successor. The hire made plenty of noise in its own right, and reportedly required the players signing off on the decision.

That’s where things stand for McDavid and the Oilers heading into a new season. Everything is new, except it sure doesn’t feel as such. McDavid has a new contract in the form of a two-year, $25 million extension, a new head coach, but the same old expectations—and the same old monkey on his back.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. The Oilers can only hope the 2026-27 NHL season doesn’t follow the same script as its predecessors. Unfortunately for them, there are no guarantees.

Although the Red Wings are still processing the fact that Larkin wants out and Kane is gone, they can’t ignore the ticking clock ahead of the 2026-27 NHL season. Truth be told, that’s much easier said than done. On top of that, Kane’s media tour after returning to Chicago has only made things more difficult for Detroit, which may have just learned an uncomfortable truth about his departure.

“At the end of the season I thought I’d be going back to Detroit,” Kane admitted during an interview on Pardon My Take. “You know, things happen, and it’s like let’s just take our time, see what’s out there July 1st.“

Larkin’s trade request likely the last straw

Kane didn’t say it outright, but all signs point to Larkin’s trade request pushing him to test free agency. When Kane said “things happen,” he probably alluded to Larkin’s blunt decision. After three straight seasons in which the Red Wings missed the playoffs, learning that not even the captain believed in the organization’s direction—and wanted out of his home state of Michigan—might have been the final nail in the coffin for Kane’s time in Motor City.

At the end of the day, Kane will turn 38 next season and can’t afford to head into another campaign with low expectations for his team. He has previously explained why he sees potential in Chicago, in comments many believe Kane was taking a shot at the Red Wings with. Whether that was truly his intention, only Kane knows, and it matters little.

What’s clear is that Kane is convinced returning to the Blackhawks was the right choice and that his time with the Red Wings was nearing its end. He may not have realized it during the season, but Larkin’s trade request might have been what ultimately opened his eyes.

Detroit wouldn’t have paid Kane as much

Kane signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Blackhawks that caught the NHL by surprise. Many see the deal as an overpay on Chicago’s part. The reality, though, is that the Hawks have more than enough cap space to accommodate such a contract and knew that was the easiest way to put the matter to rest and avoid Kane signing elsewhere.

From a pure salary-cap standpoint, the Red Wings could also have paid Kane $8 million per year, but they are in a much different position with their roster, and it wouldn’t have been a wise move on their part. For the Blackhawks, on the other hand, paying Kane that much makes plenty of sense.

Moreover, Detroit gave Kane three consecutive one-year deals, during which he earned a combined $9.75 million. In just one season back in the Windy City, “Showtime” will almost match his career earnings during his entire stint in Motor City.

Couldn’t turn Chicago down

When every moving part is weighed, Kane’s return to Chicago made too much sense. He’s back in a city that adores him, where he has nothing to prove and everything to gain. That was far from his reality in Detroit, where Kane was a fan favorite but could just as easily end up in the media’s meat grinder after every team-wide misstep.

In the City of Big Shoulders, Kane is a walking legend, and he’s set to join a young squad brimming with potential and eager to take the league by storm. In Motor City, on the other hand, the future is uncertain, and the air seems to grow heavier by the minute.