Get ready: 106 games over 15 days from September 21 to October 5 🏒

Good morning, hockey nation! ☕️ 

In today's newsletter: a key contract negotiation for Leon Draisaitl, the preseason schedule for Canadian teams, and a look at future NHL stars from the 2024 Draft. Let's dive in!

Quick updates:

🚨 The Edmonton Oilers have officially begun contract talks with superstar Leon Draisaitl as he enters the final year of his current eight-year, $68 million contract. The Oilers' new general manager, Stan Bowman, has expressed that re-signing Draisaitl is “a top priority”. Draisaitl, a key player for the Oilers, scored 106 points last season and has been a cornerstone of the team's success. / NHL.com.

Canadian teams preseason schedule 📆 

The NHL has announced its 2024-25 preseason schedule, featuring a series of 106 games over 15 days from September 21 to October 5, taking place in 40 different venues across North America and Europe.

Here's a rundown of the games involving Canadian teams during the preseason:

Calgary Flames

• September 22: Calgary at Seattle, 10 p.m. ET

• September 23: Calgary (split squad) at Edmonton (split squad), 9 p.m. ET; Edmonton (split squad) at Calgary (split squad), 9 p.m. ET

• September 25: Calgary vs. Vancouver at Abbotsford, B.C., 10 p.m. ET

• September 28: Vancouver at Calgary, 9 p.m. ET

• September 30: Seattle at Calgary, 9 p.m. ET

Edmonton Oilers

• September 22: Winnipeg at Edmonton, 6 p.m. ET

• September 23: Calgary (split squad) at Edmonton (split squad), 9 p.m. ET; Edmonton (split squad) at Calgary (split squad), 9 p.m. ET

• September 25: Edmonton at Winnipeg, 8 p.m. ET

• September 28: Seattle at Edmonton, 9 p.m. ET

• September 30: Vancouver at Edmonton, 9 p.m. ET

Montreal Canadiens

• September 23: Philadelphia at Montreal, 7 p.m. ET

• September 24: New Jersey at Montreal, 7 p.m. ET

• September 26: Montreal at Toronto, 7 p.m. ET

• September 28: Toronto at Montreal, 7 p.m. ET

• October 1: Ottawa at Montreal, 7 p.m. ET

Ottawa Senators

• September 22: Ottawa at Toronto, 7 p.m. ET

• September 24: Toronto at Ottawa, 7 p.m. ET

• September 26: Buffalo at Ottawa, 7 p.m. ET

• September 29: Ottawa vs. Pittsburgh at Sudbury, Ont., 7 p.m. ET (Kraft Hockeyville)

• October 1: Ottawa at Montreal, 7 p.m. ET

Toronto Maple Leafs

• September 22: Ottawa at Toronto, 7 p.m. ET

• September 24: Toronto at Ottawa, 7 p.m. ET

• September 26: Montreal at Toronto, 7 p.m. ET

• September 28: Toronto at Montreal, 7 p.m. ET

• October 3: Toronto at Detroit, 7 p.m. ET

Vancouver Canucks

• September 24: Seattle at Vancouver, 10 p.m. ET

• September 25: Calgary vs. Vancouver at Abbotsford, B.C., 10 p.m. ET

• September 27: Vancouver at Seattle, 10 p.m. ET

• September 28: Vancouver at Calgary, 9 p.m. ET

• September 30: Vancouver at Edmonton, 9 p.m. ET

Winnipeg Jets

• September 21: Minnesota at Winnipeg, 8 p.m. ET

• September 22: Winnipeg at Edmonton, 6 p.m. ET

• September 25: Edmonton at Winnipeg, 8 p.m. ET

• September 27: Winnipeg at Minnesota, 8 p.m. ET

• October 2: Calgary at Winnipeg, 8 p.m. ET

Future Stars: tracking the 2024 NHL Draft First-Round signings ⭐️ 

The 2024 NHL Draft introduced a new wave of hockey talent, with each first-round pick bringing potential to reshape the future of the league.

The draft has already seen significant signings, such as Ben Danford with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Zayne Parekh with the Calgary Flames.

Here's a summary of some signings and Canadian players:

Montreal Canadiens

• Ivan Demidov (RW): Unsigned, expected to play for SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL.

• Michael Hage (C): Unsigned, expected to play at the University of Michigan.

Ottawa Senators

• Carter Yakemchuk (D): Unsigned, expected to play for Calgary in the WHL. Yakemchuk had an impressive season, leading WHL defensemen with 30 goals and earning fifth place with 71 points in 66 games.

Toronto Maple Leafs

• Ben Danford (D): Signed an entry-level contract on August 2. Expected to play for Oshawa in the OHL.

Calgary Flames

• Zayne Parekh (D): Signed an entry-level contract on July 5. Expected to play for Saginaw in the OHL. Parekh set records with 33 goals and 96 points in 66 regular-season games.

Edmonton Oilers

• Sam O'Reilly (RW): Unsigned, expected to play for London in the OHL.

Curiosity of the day 🤔

Thanks for tuning in to today's updates! We love hearing from our readers, so feel free to share your thoughts or questions—just hit reply to this email.

Until next time, keep enjoying the game!

Canada Hockey News Team 🇨🇦