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John Matisz

John Matisz

Senior NHL Writer at theScore

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  • English
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Recent Articles

thescore.com

1 quick thought on all 32 teams a month into the season

The 2025-26 NHL season passed the one-month mark on Friday, which means it's time to take a trip around the league. Here's one thought on all 32 teams.(Stats courtesy: NHL.com, Evolving-Hockey, and Sportlogiq.)Jump to:ANA | BOS | BUF | CAR | CBJ | CGY | CHI | COL | DAL | DET | EDM | FLA | LAK | MIN | MTL | NJD | NSH | NYI | NYR | OTT | PHI | PIT | SEA | STL | SJS | TBL | TOR | UTA | VAN | VGK | WPG | WSHAnaheim DucksThe Joel Quenneville coaching impact is real. One of many data points: the Ducks are generating 17.1 quality scoring chances per game - tying them for 13th in the NHL - to start Quenneville's tenure. They generated 13.1 and 12.6 per game to rank 31st and 30th, respectively, in Greg Cronin's two seasons behind the bench.Boston BruinsThe Bruins have won eight games in regulation or three-on-three overtime. Each time a different player has risen to the occasion. Marat Khusnutdinov, Mark Kastelic, Fraser Minten, Michael Eyssimont, Viktor Arvidsson, Elias Lindholm, Morgan Geekie, and Pavel Zacha all ha
27 days ago
thescore.com

5 NHL rookies who've grabbed our attention early - and why

The 2025-26 NHL rookie group is star-studded and deep. Any serious Calder Trophy debate can be put on hold this early into the season though. Let's instead discuss what we've seen so far from five particularly intriguing rookies.Ivan Demidov, Canadiens Matt Garies / Getty ImagesThe Demidov intrigue revolves around his silky playing style and high ceiling. He offers a level of offensive genius the Canadiens simply don't have elsewhere in their lineup or pipeline, and one day, he might reach 100 points.Demidov leads all rookies with nine points despite playing almost exclusively with solid yet unremarkable players in Alex Newhook and Oliver Kapanen at five-on-five and skating for just 13:47 a night overall. The 19-year-old was recently elevated to the top power-play unit and is now its main playmaker.Demidov is a patient, possession-loving winger in all game states. He protects the puck through evasive spins, speed differentials, and manipulative dekes. He prioritizes high-quality scoring chances and also lives
about 1 month ago
thescore.com

NHL Inbox: Dissecting hot topics, answering your questions, and more

 
about 1 month ago
thescore.com

NHL hype meter: How much stock should we put into these hot starts?

 
about 2 months ago
thescore.com

NHL Inbox: Leafs' contention window? Rangers' playoff case? Best fa...

 
3 months ago
thescore.com

Ranking NHL teams by tiers: The top 16

This is Part 2 of a series ranking all 32 NHL teams by tiers for the 2025-26 season. Part 1 features the bottom 16 teams and was published Thursday.Keep in mind: This exercise rolls out a few weeks before training camps open, and tiers are based on personal projections for only the coming season, not each franchise's long-term trajectory. Tier 8 teams are furthest away from winning the 2026 Stanley Cup, while Tier 1 teams are closest. Teams are listed alphabetically within each tier.Tier 4: Moderately dangerousProbable playoff team unlikely to go on deep runLos Angeles KingsKen Holland's first offseason as Kings general manager was uninspiring.The longtime NHL executive brought in Corey Perry and Joel Armia to replace Tanner Jeannot and Trevor Lewis at forward (fine); replaced Vladislav Gavrikov and Jordan Spence with Brian Dumoulin and Cody Ceci on defense (huge net negative); and replaced David Rittich with Anton Forsberg in goal (sure).The Kings' attack is slow and predictable. None of their moves fixed th
3 months ago
thescore.com

Ranking NHL teams by tiers: The bottom 16

This is Part 1 of a two-part series ranking all 32 NHL teams by tiers for the 2025-26 season.Keep in mind: This exercise rolls out a few weeks before training camps open, and tiers are based on personal projections for only the coming season, not each franchise's long-term trajectory. Tier 8 teams are furthest away from winning the 2026 Stanley Cup, while Tier 1 teams are closest. Teams are listed alphabetically within each tier.Tier 8: Worst of the worstIn league of their own - and not in good wayChicago BlackhawksWhen I look at Chicago's roster, I see a forward group with a single top-line forward in Connor Bedard, a promising yet very green back end led by Alex Vlasic, and an unproven goalie brimming with potential in Spencer Knight.In other words, I see a team headed straight for the Central Division's basement for the fourth straight year - and thus favorable draft lottery odds.Blackhawks fans will still be hooked on the on-ice product. Top storylines include Bedard's goal output (only 23 in 82 games las
3 months ago
thescore.com

Unfinished business: 7 players to watch in back half of NHL offseason

The NHL offseason has slowed to a crawl, and yet it feels like an abnormally high volume of notable players remains in some version of limbo. We check in on the uncertainty and add key context to all the unfinished business.Jason Robertson, StarsDallas is a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. Robertson is the club's best left winger. Why, then, is his name popping up in the NHL rumor mill?The Stars are in a sticky salary-cap situation with lots of money and term dedicated to core pieces while Robertson, a 2026 restricted free agent, looks to cash in too. Mikko Rantanen, Wyatt Johnston, Roope Hintz, Miro Heiskanen, and Jake Oettinger will make a combined $45.6 million annually for the rest of the decade, and rising star Thomas Harley can sign an extension any time. Sam Hodde / Getty ImagesHaving too many high-quality 20-something players is a textbook "champagne problem." It's nonetheless one Stars general manager Jim Nill must solve somehow, whether or not he keeps Robertson.A cerebral playmaker, Robertson foll
5 months ago
thescore.com

NHL Inbox: Best rebuild? Quirkiest rules? Impact of rising salary cap?

Welcome to NHL Inbox, a monthly forum in which readers can ask me anything hockey-related, and I try my best to deliver an insightful answer.Note: the questions below were lightly edited for clarity and brevity.                     Dave Sandford / Getty ImagesT.J. asks: Out of the Sharks, Blackhawks, Ducks, Red Wings, and Sabres, which team is on track for the most successful rebuild? Which team or teams have had the least successful rebuilds and have to restart? Is there a specific formula for a successful rebuild? If so, which factors are most important?San Jose is the winner here.General manager Mike Grier has continually turned old core pieces (Tomas Hertl, Brent Burns) and established NHLers who don't factor into the long-term plan (Jake Walman, Mackenzie Blackwood) into futures. The payoff: tons of draft capital, a stacked prospect pool, and a clean cap sheet. Most crucially, Grier has assembled an enviable under-24 core headlined by Macklin Celebrini, Michael Misa, Will Smith, Sam D
5 months ago
thescore.com

NHL Inbox: Best rebuild? Quirkiest rules? Impact of rising salary cap?

Welcome to NHL Inbox, a monthly forum in which readers can ask me anything hockey-related, and I try my best to deliver an insightful answer.Note: the questions below were lightly edited for clarity and brevity.                     Dave Sandford / Getty ImagesT.J. asks: Out of the Sharks, Blackhawks, Ducks, Red Wings, and Sabres, which team is on track for the most successful rebuild? Which team or teams have had the least successful rebuilds and have to restart? Is there a specific formula for a successful rebuild? If so, which factors are most important?San Jose is the winner here.General manager Mike Grier has continually turned old core pieces (Tomas Hertl, Brent Burns) and established NHLers who don't factor into the long-term plan (Jake Walman, Mackenzie Blackwood) into futures. The payoff: tons of draft capital, a stacked prospect pool, and a clean cap sheet. Most crucially, Grier has assembled an enviable under-24 core headlined by Macklin Celebrini, Michael Misa, Will Smith, Sam D
5 months ago
thescore.com

1 quick thought on all 32 NHL teams as offseason activity slows

With the entry draft and opening of free agency in the rearview mirror, the NHL is entering the slower portion of its offseason.Here's one big-picture thought on all 32 teams.Jump to:ANA | BOS | BUF | CAR | CBJ | CGY | CHI | COL | DAL | DET | EDM | FLA | LAK | MIN | MTL | NJD | NSH | NYI | NYR | OTT | PHI | PIT | SEA | STL | SJS | TBL | TOR | UTA | VAN | VGK | WPG | WSHAnaheim DucksThe Ducks quietly jumped from 59 points in 2023-24 to 80 last season. Joel Quenneville was hired in May to bridge the gap between 80 and the 95 or so points needed to clinch a playoff spot. Quenneville's top priority: fixing the NHL's worst power play. His boss, GM Pat Verbeek, has provided some fresh options in net-front presence Chris Kreider and facilitator Mikael Granlund.Boston BruinsAnd the award for worst July 1 contract goes to ... Tanner Jeannot. Don't get it twisted: that's "worst" for a team, not player. Jeannot, 28, must be thrilled to suddenly be under contract for five years (and rake in $17 million) in the wake of a
5 months ago