Countdown To Puck Drop Day: 8

By: David Sacrey

As we count down to puck drop on the 2025-26 NHL season, I just wanted to remind all hockey fans of this man. Alex Ovechkin, drafted by the Washington Capitals with the No. 1 pick in the 2004 NHL Draft, Ovechkin scored twice in his first game against the Blue Jackets in his NHL debut on Oct. 5, 2005. And this season marks his 21st and final NHL season, so as we get ready for the goals and the highlights and the celebrations from the GR8 and the Capitals, let’s talk about some of the best players and moments from across the league in the preseason that will be things to keep on during the regular season. 

September 26th. Aleksander Barkov is out 7-9 months with an ACL and MCL injury recovery, at practice on the 25th, after a collision with fellow teammate Niko Mikkola. Due to the recovery timeline, he will miss most of the regular season. With the Florida Panthers’ back-to-back wins in the playoffs, he will likely come back to help the team with the next hunt for the cup in the playoffs with the already strong lineup from the 2024-25 season, but only time will tell with the team and Barkov’s recovery. 

September 20th. Marc-Andre Fleury played his final game and gets to retire as a Pittsburgh Penguin. Fleury signed a 1 day professional tryout contract to end his career as a Penguin, and the city of Pittsburgh welcomed him back with wide-open arms. Fleury was drafted No. 1 in the 2003 NHL Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins becoming the 3rd goaltender to be drafted No. 1 in the NHL, after 5 years with the team he helped lead the team to a Stanley Cup winning 16 of the 24 games played that season and then returning in the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons to win Lord Stanleys cup back to back.

Then, in the 2017-18 season, the Pittsburgh sports world was flipped on its head when the Vegas Golden Knights acquired the goaltender who helped lead the team to the Stanley Cup Final that year, ultimately ending in a 4-1 loss in the series. After playing for VGK, the Minnesota Wild acquired Fleury, where he played the final 3 of his 21 seasons. 

And the first 10 1st round picks from the 2025 draft to keep in your sights this upcoming season. NHL. 

1. Matthew Schaefer, D, New York Islanders

Signed entry-level contract Aug. 4. Could play for the Islanders or for Erie of the Ontario Hockey League

2. Michael Misa, C, San Jose Sharks

Signed entry-level contract Sept. 10. Could play for the Sharks or Saginaw of the OHL

3. Anton Frondell, C, Chicago Blackhawks

Signed entry-level contract July 15. Playing for Djurgarden of the Swedish Hockey League

4. Caleb Desnoyers, C, Utah Mammoth (unsigned)

Playing for Moncton of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League

5. Brady Martin, C, Nashville Predators

Signed entry-level contract Aug. 20. Expected to play for Sault Ste. Marie of the OHL

6. Porter Martone, RW, Philadelphia Flyers (unsigned)

Will play for Michigan State University

7. James Hagens, C, Boston Bruins (unsigned)

Will play for Boston College

8. Jake O’Brien, C, Seattle Kraken

Signed entry-level contract July 3. Playing for Brantford of the OHL

9. Radim Mrtka, D, Buffalo Sabres

Signed entry-level contract July 15. Expected to play for Seattle of the Western Hockey League

10. Roger McQueen, C, Anaheim Ducks (unsigned)

Will play for Providence College

We will have to see how the season unfolds for our first 10 1st rounders, but only time will tell if they fly high or get grounded. Another thing to keep in mind is that for the players who ultimately end up playing in minor leagues, how will they do among other players trying to get to the top? Will they capitalize on a power play, or will the clock run down? Only time will tell. 

David signing off for today’s countdown to puck drop.