Shortly after departing Salt Lake City bound for Pittsburgh, the team charter was forced to divert back to Utah after the 19-year-old collapsed mid-flight. Dubas confirmed that Kindel suffered a vasovagal episode approximately 10 minutes into the trip, prompting quick action from the medical and flight staff to ensure his safety.

“On Tuesday, about 10 minutes into the team’s return flight from Salt Lake City to Pittsburgh, Ben collapsed on the team plane in what has been diagnosed as a vasovagal episode. Ben was given oxygen on the flight, regained consciousness and the determination was that the flight needed to be landed back in Salt Lake City.”

What happened to Ben Kindel?

Ben Kindel was immediately transported to a local hospital for evaluation, where he remained under close supervision overnight alongside key members of Pittsburgh’s operational staff.

Fortunately, the young forward made rapid progress and received medical clearance to return home to Pennsylvania. Dubas confirmed that former players turned hockey operations executives Nick Bonino and Jason Spezza stayed behind with Kindel in Utah to assist during his hospitalization. With Kindel safely back in the building for further evaluation, the Penguins are prioritizing his long-term wellness as they place him on injured reserve.

“Ben was cleared yesterday to travel back to Pittsburgh. He is back in the building for treatment and further testing today. We’ll place him on injured reserve, and we will obviously follow very strict guidelines to ensure a safe return to training and play for Ben. That’s our primary goal and paramount to his future and health.”

What’s next for Ben Kindel?

Now back in Pittsburgh, Kindel is undergoing additional testing and receiving treatment from the organization’s medical specialists. While placing him on injured reserve frees up a roster spot, Dubas made it clear that rushing the promising former first-round pick back into game action is not an option.

The team is implementing a cautious approach to ensure Kindel meets all health benchmarks before returning to physical training. Dubas emphasized that safeguarding Kindel’s future health remains paramount above any short-term roster needs. Leadership figures Nick Bonino and Jason Spezza remaining in Salt Lake City highlighted the franchise’s player-first mentality during critical situations.

Praise for medical personnel and crew under pressure

In-flight medical incidents require composure and quick decision-making, and Dubas expressed immense gratitude for how seamlessly the staff responded to the emergency.

He praised the combined efforts of the Air Canada flight crew, team operations leader Jason Seidling, head assistant coach Dan Muse, and the Penguins’ medical personnel for restoring order rapidly and keeping Kindel stable.

“I think anyone who’s been a part of any episode of that nature, you gain a deep appreciation very quickly for the way that people are trained to handle them,” Dubas praised. “Our medical staff, plus the Air Canada staff, Dan Muse and Jason Seidling – just the calm and way that they can handle and restore order very quickly is deeply appreciated.”

With Kindel rested and undergoing thorough testing under strict team protocols, the Penguins are relieved to have their young forward safely back in Pittsburgh as he begins his path toward a full recovery.

Key takeaways

• Ben Kindel collapsed 10 minutes into the team flight from Utah due to a vasovagal episode, prompting an emergency return landing in Salt Lake City.
• After regaining consciousness with oxygen and undergoing overnight evaluation, Kindel was cleared to return to Pittsburgh alongside executives Nick Bonino and Jason Spezza.
• The Penguins are placing Kindel on injured reserve and following strict medical guidelines to ensure his safe return to training and play.

“Chicago’s Frank Nazar has been suspended for two games for an illegal check to the head against NY Islanders’ Bo Horvat,” the NHL‘s Department of Player Safety announced on its X account, @NHLPlayerSafety.

The league’s administration had previously informed Nazar that he was scheduled for a virtual meeting. Had it been an in-person hearing at the league’s office in New York City, Nazar would’ve faced a minimum suspension of six games.

Nazar’s hit to Horvat’s head

Nazar was caught in the eye of the storm during Chicago’s 4-1 defeat against the New York Islanders during the 2026-27 NHL season. The former first-round pick (13th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft delivered a vicious, late shoulder check directly to Bo Horvat’s head.

Although the Isles’ captain still managed to score into an empty net and put the game away, the rest of the Islanders reacted and went after Nazar, as Horvat was slow to get back to his feet.

The incident didn’t stop there at UBS Arena after the final horn, as the NHL’s Department of Player Safety stepped in. Opinions differ on the length of the suspension, with some fans agreeing with it and others believing it wasn’t long enough.

Nazar’s suspension length

Nazar will miss the first two games of a seven-game homestand at the United Center. Nazar was suspended for Chicago’s 5-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes—the Blackhawks’ second straight defeat and fifth in six games this season—and will miss the Penguins game, too. He will return to the lineup when Chicago hosts the Winnipeg Jets on Oct. 15.

So far in the 2026-27 NHL season, Nazar has played in five games, scoring two goals (tied for the most on the Blackhawks) and adding an assist. His three points are the second-most on the team, underscoring the struggles in the Windy City to start the season as the Blackhawks have missed Connor Bedard.

Key takeaways

• Frank Nazar was suspended for two games for an illegal check to Bo Horvat’s head.
• The Department of Player Safety scheduled Nazar for a virtual meeting regarding the hit.
• Frank Nazar scored two goals and has three points across five games this season.

The Blackhawks’ latest injury update on Bedard appeared to remove all mystery surrounding his return date, and it pointed toward Oct. 13, when the Blackhawks host the Penguins at the United Center, being Bedard’s first game of the 2026-27 NHL season.

“First game as Captain. It’s a special honor. Just looking forward to that,” Bedard admitted ahead of his first game of the 2026-27 NHL season, which will be at home in Windy City.

When was Bedard’s last game for Chicago?

In order to relive Bedard’s last NHL appearance for the Blackhawks, one must travel all the way back to April 16. In the 2025-26 season finale, the Blackhawks defeated Bedard’s good friend Macklin Celebrini and the San Jose Sharks by a final score of 5-2.

In an interesting meeting between two former first overall selections, Bedard finished the night with a pair of assists and was named the second star of the game in the comeback victory, rallying from a deficit to score five unanswered goals, while Celebrini went scoreless and finished with a plus/minus of -3.

Why was Bedard sidelined?

Since then, Bedard has been named the 38th captain in franchise history, but he hasn’t made his official on-ice debut as captain because he has spent the past few months rehabbing from offseason left-shoulder surgery. Still, Bedard has defied the Blackhawks’ original timeline.

At the time of the procedure, the club in Chi-town announced a four-month timeline for Bedard’s return to action, but he’s now back much earlier than expected. As Bedard will play against Pittsburgh on Oct. 13, he will return to the ice 97 days after his mid-summer surgery on July 8.

Key takeaways

• Connor Bedard is active to play against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 13.
• His last NHL game was a 5-2 win over San Jose on April 16.
• Connor Bedard is returning 97 days after undergoing shoulder surgery on July 8.

“Connor Bedard is ‘trending’ toward playing [Tuesday, Oct. 13] vs Pittsburgh, Jeff Blashill says,” Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times reported on his X account.

It was a long time coming for Bedard, who had more than once spoken his truth amid his rehab journey, and had been making progress in various fronts before his return was (apparently) finally signed off by doctors and the Blackhawks’ coaching staff.

What better game to be back than against Sidney Crosby and the Penguins, the exact same matchup Bedard made his NHL debut back in the fall of 2023.

Bedard was ready, but needed final confirmation

Asked about his thoughts after shedding the non-contact jersey for the first time in practice, Bedard made it clear the ball wasn’t on his side of the court. Just like Patrick Kane had put pressure on the Blackhawks to re-activate Bedard, the young star voiced a firm statement on his progress, as well.

If it were up to him, Bedard would’ve been back on the ice a long time ago. Even if it’s been to Chicago’s detrimental record-wise, it’s a good thing he wasn’t. In the end, the patience exercise has paid off, and the wait is finally over—and worth it— for the 38th captain in franchise history.

“I feel really good. I feel pretty normal for the most part. It’s obviously on [the doctors] who know to let me play,” Bedard stated, via NHL.com, about his recovery from shoulder surgery.

Bedard could join Kane upon return to lineup

“I will be as vague, and tell you guys, as little as possible. Keep saying day by day,” Bedard said it after Monday’s practice, before Blashill revealed that playing the next day was very much in play. It’s not as if Chicago did a great job covering its tracks, though, as many speculated that Bedard could be back. The fact that he attended regular practice for two straight days may have been telling enough.

“Bedard skating with Kantserov and Kane again. Certainly looks like the Blackhawks are preparing for him to play [Tuesday],” Scott Powers of The Athletic Chicago reported.

Thus, Bedard’s return game may not have been the only information leaked; which line he’s set to join may have been revealed, too. With the Hawks in need of a spark, it looks like Blashill is going down the nuclear route, playing Bedard on the same line as Patrick Kane and rookie Roman Kantserov.

Key takeaways

• Connor Bedard is trending to return from shoulder surgery on Tuesday against Pittsburgh.
• Bedard was cleared for contact after shedding his non-contact jersey in team practice.
• Bedard skated alongside Patrick Kane and Roman Kantserov during drills.

Crosby has confirmed that he does not plan to retire, removing one of the biggest questions surrounding his future. The next step now appears to be negotiating a new deal with Pittsburgh, which could become the final contract of his legendary career.

The Penguins entered the 2025-26 season looking like a team potentially headed toward a rebuilding phase, but their surprising campaign changed the conversation. With Crosby still performing at an elite level and Evgeni Malkin, Erik Karlsson and Ville Koivunen also part of the picture, Pittsburgh could have enough pieces to remain competitive during the final years of their iconic core.

Will Sidney Crosby retire?

No. The expectation is that Sidney Crosby could sign a new contract with Pittsburgh Penguins before the middle of September. NHL insider Josh Yohe believes the timing could follow the same pattern as Crosby’s previous extension negotiations.

“The smart money would be on Crosby signing a new deal sometime between now and the middle of September. That’s how it went before; that’s the timeline Crosby is comfortable with, and a new contract seems inevitable.”

How many years could Sidney Crosby’s new contract be?

The biggest question may not be whether Sidney Crosby will sign, but how long the new deal will be. Yohe believes the most likely outcome is a short-term contract: “How many years will it be? Likely one or two.”

It would also allow the Penguins to continue evaluating their competitive window. The organization may have looked destined for a rebuild, but the 2025-26 season showed that Crosby and the veteran core can still compete at a high level.

Could the Penguins remain Stanley Cup contenders with Sidney Crosby?

The Penguins’ situation is one of the most fascinating stories in the NHL. They have been transitioning toward the future while still relying heavily on the players who defined the franchise’s golden era.

Crosby remains the centerpiece, while Evgeni Malkin and Erik Karlsson could also have important roles as the Penguins attempt to maximize the final years of their veteran core. At the same time, Ville Koivunen represents the type of younger player who could become increasingly important as the Penguins eventually moves beyond their longtime stars.

A new Crosby contract would therefore be about more than keeping a franchise icon. It would signal that the Penguins still believe they have a chance to compete rather than simply preparing for the next era.

For Crosby, meanwhile, another deal in Pittsburgh would give him the opportunity to continue chasing another Stanley Cup with the only NHL organization he has ever known. The next few weeks could determine what becomes the final chapter of one of the greatest careers in Penguins history.

Koivunen signed an eight-year, $32 million contract, locking him into Pittsburgh through what could become a significant portion of his prime years. The Penguins clearly believe the young forward can develop into an important piece of their next era, but the decision has generated debate both among fans and within the Pens.

NHL insider Josh Yohe reported that the contract remains a heavily discussed topic in Pittsburgh, with some members of the organization reportedly questioning whether the Penguins should have made such a long-term commitment to a player who remains largely unproven at the NHL level.

Penguins reportedly not fully on board with Koivunen deal

According to NHL insider Josh Yohe, the size and length of Ville Koivunen’s contract are what make the decision particularly intriguing. The Penguins are committing $4 million annually for eight seasons to a player without a lot of experience in the league.

“The eight-year, $32 million deal for Koivunen remains a hotly discussed topic among fans, and they’re not alone. Not everyone in the organization was thrilled with Dubas’ decision to give the unproven Koivunen a long-term deal.”

That does not necessarily mean the Penguins view the contract as a mistake. Rather, it highlights the level of risk involved. Koivunen has shown potential, but the Pens are betting on what he can become rather than simply paying him for what he has already accomplished. For general manager Kyle Dubas, the potential reward apparently outweighs that uncertainty.

Why do the Penguins believe Ville Koivunen can become a key player?

The Penguins’ front office has been impressed by Koivunen’s offseason, particularly the work he has done to address one of the biggest weaknesses identified during his first NHL season: physical strength.

According to Yohe, Koivunen has made a major commitment in the gym this summer. That work is designed to help him stay on the puck and withstand the physical demands of an 82-game NHL season after opponents were able to knock him off the puck too easily.

Yohe also reported that analytics played a major role in Pittsburgh’s decision to give Koivunen the long-term contract. Team sources told him that the Penguins’ internal evaluation strongly supports the idea that the young forward has the underlying qualities necessary to become a valuable player.

“The front office is extremely impressed with the summer Koivunen has had. He’s hit the gym in a big way, addressing his biggest problem: lack of strength. He was knocked off the puck with ease during his first full NHL season. More than anything, analytics played a role in the Penguins’ decision to take a chance on Koivunen, according to team sources who spoke under the condition of anonymity to discuss private matters.”

That helps explain why Dubas was willing to take such a significant gamble. The Penguins are not simply betting on Koivunen’s current production; they are betting on his development, physical improvement and the data suggesting that his potential is worth the long-term investment.

The contract could ultimately become one of Dubas’ most important decisions as Pittsburgh transitions toward the future. If Koivunen takes a major step forward, the $4 million annual salary could look like a bargain. If his development stalls, however, the eight-year commitment could become a significant burden for the Penguins.

The Penguins are one of the teams that have explored trading for Pettersson, according to NHL Rumour Report. The Los Angeles Kings and Carolina Hurricanes were reportedly others.

While the Penguins could make an intriguing offer, it remains to be seen whether they could come up with a package that the Canucks would accept. Most importantly, though, Pettersson would have to give the green light. Unless that happens, any trade talk surrounding Vancouver’s center would become obsolete.

Complicated trade talks

According to Rick Dhaliwal’s report on Canucks Conversation, Vancouver tried to trade Pettersson during the 2026 NHL Draft, but to no avail. As Dhaliwal noted, “it’s a tough contract to move.”

Pettersson is under contract for the next six seasons, carrying an $11.6 million cap hit. The upcoming three seasons should raise eyebrows for potentially interested teams, as Pettersson will make $37.7 million over the next three years.

That includes an $11 million salary in 2026-27, $14.45 million in 2027-28, and $12.25 million in 2028-29. Throughout the final three years of his contract, his annual salary will drop to $8.7 million. Considering the league’s rising salary cap, that’s figure virtually every team can live with.

Moreover, Pettersson is signed to a full no-movement clause (NMC), meaning he has full control over his future. Unless he waives his clause, the Canucks can’t trade him, no matter how tempting of an offer lands on their table. And it appears Pettersson has no interest in moving out of Vancouver. Maybe only a Stanley Cup contender will make him change his mind. If that’s the case, the Penguins may be up for a steep climb.

Penguins aren’t contenders, at least at first glance

Rolling into the 2026-27 NHL season with the likes of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin still going, the Penguins have reason to be excited after reaching the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season.

However, to call Pittsburgh a championship contender would be a stretch, at least at this point in the offseason. Perhaps the Pens prove everybody wrong come October. Right now, however, betting against them winning the Cup feels like a safer bet.

Crosby is Pittsburgh’s ace

Still, with Crosby in town, the Penguins may make for a compelling argument to lure a player like Pettersson. Both are centers, so the odds of them sharing the ice would be slim, but being teammates and sharing a locker room and off-ice activities is still an attractive thought.

Needless to say, if Pittsburgh hopes to land Pettersson, it will have to make an offer worth Vancouver’s while without giving up too much in return, so that Pettersson remains interested in joining the organization.

As long as Sid the Kid is in the Burgh, however, the franchise in the City of Bridges may be able to connect with any player in search of a new beginning. It remains to be seen whether Pettersson falls into that category, or, at the very least, whether he can be convinced.

While some fans questioned why the organization committed so many years to a player who has yet to establish himself as a full-time NHL contributor, the Penguins appear to have a very clear long-term strategy.

According to a new report, general manager Kyle Dubas views the contract as a calculated gamble rather than a risky overpay.

Why did the Penguins give Ville Koivunen an 8-year deal?

According to Josh Yohe, the Penguins believe the contract carries much more upside than downside. “I was told that Dubas sees the Koivunen deal as ‘low risk, high reward.’ Which is to say, the cap is rising to the point that he’s willing to risk losing $4 million annually for eight years if Koivunen is a bust.”

The key factor is the NHL’s rapidly increasing salary cap, which could make Koivunen’s $4 million annual cap hit look like a bargain if he develops into a top-six forward over the next several seasons.

A bet on the Penguins’ future

The Penguins are trying to balance two timelines. In the short term, Koivunen is expected to help support veterans such as Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Erik Karlsson as the franchise attempts to remain competitive.

Long term, however, Pittsburgh believes the 23-year-old can become one of the pillars of the organization’s next era. If Koivunen reaches his projected ceiling, Dubas could end up with one of the NHL’s best value contracts. If not, the Penguins believe the rising salary cap will make the financial risk manageable.

The most eye-catching aspect of the agreement is its length. Koivunen received an eight-year contract worth $4 million per season, a major commitment from Pittsburgh despite the 23-year-old having only recently made the jump to the NHL.

The deal signals just how highly the Penguins view Koivunen as they balance competing in the present while preparing for the future. By committing to Koivunen through a lengthy extension, GM Kyle Dubas has made it clear that the promising player can bridge both phases of the team’s future.

Ville Koivunen showed promise during the 2025-26 season

Ville Koivunen split the 2025-26 campaign between the NHL and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL. At the NHL level, he recorded two goals and five assists for seven points in 39 games.

However, in the AHL, he emerged as one of the organization’s most productive young forwards, posting great numbers: 13 goals and 28 assists for 41 points in just 34 games. Ville led Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in assists, ranked second in total points, and finished with the team’s best points-per-game average.

From 2021 until 2024, Koivunen spent three seasons with Karpat in Finland’s top professional league. He was originally selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round (51st overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft before being acquired by Pittsburgh in the March 2024 trade.

A key piece for the Penguins’ present and future

General manager Kyle Dubas clearly sees Koivunen as much more than a young prospect. The Penguins expect him to help maximize the remaining championship window alongside veterans Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Erik Karlsson, while also becoming one of the cornerstones of the franchise once the Pens fully transition into a rebuilding era.

The Penguins officially signed Tommy Novak to a three-year contract extension, ensuring the veteran remains in Pittsburgh beyond the expiration of his current deal. The move comes as the front office continues building around veterans Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Karlsson while trying to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference.

However, the timing of Novak’s extension has sparked debate among Penguins fans, many of whom hoped the organization would prioritize negotiations with Karlsson before committing additional salary elsewhere.

Who did the Penguins just sign?

The Penguins just signed Tommy Novak. His new contract will begin with the 2027-28 season and run through the 2029-30 campaign. The 29-year-old will earn an average annual value of $4.65 million after he was originally scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2026-27 season.

The extension rewards a productive campaign in which Novak recorded 16 goals, 26 assists, and 42 points in 82 games for Pittsburgh, establishing himself as an important part of the Penguins’ forward group.

Will the Penguins give Erik Karlsson a contract extension?

No. Despite Tommy Novak’s extension, much of the conversation around Pittsburgh continues to center on erik Karlsson. A recent report from Josh Yohe indicated that the Penguins are not expected to negotiate a new contract with the star defenseman before next offseason, raising the possibility that he could reach unrestricted free agency in 2027.

Considering Karlsson’s importance alongside Crosby and Malkin, many supporters hoped the organization would make his future a top priority. Instead, the Pens have opted for a more measured approach, strengthening their roster depth with moves such as Novak’s extension while leaving Karlsson’s long-term future unresolved.

Pittsburgh’s remarkable push revived hopes that the Pens could make one more Stanley Cup run with their veteran core. Karlsson, in particular, played one of the most important roles on the roster, stepping up when Crosby missed time through injury and Malkin dealt with suspensions during the season.

Despite exceeding expectations, however, the Penguins’ dream ended in heartbreaking fashion after a crushing playoff defeat to the Philadelphia Flyers. Now, with another important offseason underway, attention has shifted to Karlsson’s long-term future with the organization.

Penguins reportedly won’t extend Erik Karlsson

According to a report from Josh Yohe, the Pittsburgh Pittsburgh are not expected to negotiate a new contract with Erik Karlsson before his current deal expires. “I’d be surprised if they give Erik Karlsson a new deal after this season, despite his brilliance.”

Penguins face an important decision

Erik Karlsson remains one of the Penguins’ most valuable players, but his current contract expires after the 2026-27 NHL season. That leaves Pittsburgh facing a significant decision.

The franchise could keep Karlsson for one final playoff push before allowing him to become a free agent, or it could eventually explore trade possibilities rather than risk losing him without receiving anything in return.

For now, though, the latest report indicates the Penguins are comfortable entering the season without discussing an extension, even after Karlsson proved he can still perform at an elite level when the team needs him most.