The holiday break is officially over, and while the NHL players are shaking off the turkey coma, the hockey world is already buzzing. Today, December 26, marks the start of the most wonderful time of the year for prospect watchers: the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship.
As we digest the leftovers, all eyes turn to the future stars of the game. Carter George has been named Team Canada’s starting goaltender, looking to anchor a squad hungry for gold. Meanwhile, top prospect Gavin McKenna is the name on everyone’s lips, looking to solidify his status as the future first-overall pick. If you need your hockey fix before the NHL resumes tomorrow, the WJC is serving up elite drama all day.
Notes from Christmas Day: The Rumor Mill Never Sleeps
Even with no games on the schedule for December 25, the insider chatter didn’t take a holiday.
- Marc-André Fleury Return? Rumors surfaced yesterday linking the legendary netminder to a potential mid-season comeback with two contending teams.
- Hurricanes & Kotkaniemi: Reports suggest Carolina is still actively shopping Jesperi Kotkaniemi after a failed trade attempt earlier this week.
- Canucks’ “Hybrid Rebuild”: Vancouver management is taking heat for their new direction, described yesterday as a “hybrid rebuild” amidst a confusing season.
NHL Schedule: Saturday, December 27, 2025
The NHL roars back to life tomorrow with a stacked slate of games. It’s a perfect day to park yourself on the couch. Here is the full schedule (all times ET):
- 3:00 PM: NY Rangers at NY Islanders
- 4:00 PM: Boston Bruins at Buffalo Sabres
- 4:00 PM: Ottawa Senators at Toronto Maple Leafs
- 4:00 PM: Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida Panthers
- 4:00 PM: Washington Capitals at New Jersey Devils
- 4:00 PM: Detroit Red Wings at Carolina Hurricanes
- 4:00 PM: Minnesota Wild at Winnipeg Jets
- 5:00 PM: Nashville Predators at St. Louis Blues
- 5:00 PM: Chicago Blackhawks at Dallas Stars
- 6:00 PM: Anaheim Ducks at Los Angeles Kings
- 7:00 PM: Edmonton Oilers at Calgary Flames
- 10:00 PM: San Jose Sharks at Vancouver Canucks
- 10:00 PM: Colorado Avalanche at Vegas Golden Knights
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