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Around the NHL: Sidney Crosby and Peter Forsberg swap sticks in Sweden, Adrian Kempe signs $85 million extension
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Photo credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
Jeremy Tingly
Nov 17, 2025, 09:30 ESTUpdated: Nov 17, 2025, 09:13 EST
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Welcome back to another edition of Around the NHL. The 2025-26 season has been full of surprises so far, as we’re six weeks in and there’s been plenty of storylines to follow around the league.
After 20 games, the Boston Bruins are leading the Atlantic Division with a 12-8-0 record, despite questions about how exactly they were going to create a consistent offence. What may be more surprising is the fact that the Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens sit in second and third place behind the Bruins.
As for the Maple Leafs, their 8-9-2 record has them just two points up on the Buffalo Sabres, who sit last place in the entire Eastern Conference. It’s been a rough start for Craig Berube’s squad, and with Auston Matthews and Anthony Stolarz on the shelf with injury, unfortunately, it could go from bad to worse in November.
Here’s the very latest from around the NHL.

Sidney Crosby and Peter Forsberg swap sticks in Sweden

The NHL’s Global Series made its way back to Stockholm, Sweden over the weekend as the Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins played two games. The Predators won the first matchup Friday, 2-1 in overtime, and then on Sunday, the Penguins stole the show, shutting out the Predators 4-0. After the game, Sidney Crosby was caught off guard by quite the surprise.
Swedish hockey icon, and hockey hall-of-famer Peter Forsberg came out after the game and swapped sticks with Crosby. It was a powerful gesture from one hockey great to another, and a moment that caught Crosby by surprise.
Crosby spoke after the game about what the moment meant to him, and how he’s felt the love in Sweden. “I could not be more grateful for the reception, the hospitality, and being able to spend a few days here in the city. Scoring in front of family—that never gets old. It was an amazing reception, and something I will look back on with fond memories,”
“I did not expect that,” Crosby said with a smile. “I talked to Patrik Hörnqvist before the game and he asked if I would still consider doing a stick swap if the chance came. I had no idea it would happen like that. But it was really cool to be able to do it. It was not something I did much when I was younger, collecting sticks. But the older I have gotten, the more I have understood how special that is. And especially with someone like him, someone I grew up watching and really admired for the way he played. I also had some good battles against him. So I am glad I got the chance.”

Kings lock up Adrian Kempe to 8-year, $10.6-million AAV extension

The Los Angeles Kings have locked up a core forward, as the team has reportedly signed Adrian Kempe to an eight-year contract extension, worth a whopping $10.62 million annually. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman was first to report the extension.
Kempe, 29, was originally a first-round pick back in 2014. So far through 19 games this season, he’s scored six times and has 19 points. Kempe’s best season came back in 2022-23 when he scored 41 goals in 82 games. He’s also performed very well in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, tallying 29 points in 28 career postseason games.
Kempe continues the trend around the NHL of star players re-upping with their current clubs. He follows Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Kirill Kaprizov and Martin Necas, who have all signed massive extensions.

Quick hits from around the NHL:

  • Before former Maple Leaf David Kampf signed with the Vancouver Canucks, the Canadiens made a huge pitch to lure him to Montreal.
  • Speaking of the Canadiens, the oft-injured Kirby Dach is out once again, as he’ll miss 4-to-6 weeks with a fractured foot.
  • Dallas Stars defenceman Thomas Harley is out week-to-week with a lower-body injury.
  • New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes is out for eight weeks after undergoing surgery on his pinky finger. Hughes injured himself during a freak accident at a team dinner.
  • The Calgary Flames continue to get trade calls on Rasmus Andersson, Blake Coleman and Nazem Kadri. There’s rumblings that the Flames ownership group prefers to keep Kadri in Calgary despite the heavy interest.
  • The Nashville Predators are another team to watch on the trade front as Ryan O’Reilly, Michael Bunting, and Steven Stamkos could all be moved before the deadline.
  • Vancouver Canucks president Jim Rutherford held another awkward press conference as he admitted that even if Quinn Hughes leaves, the team will not be looking to rebuild. Many were left wondering why he would even mention the possibility of Hughes departing with another year left on his contract.
  • New York Rangers’ goaltender Jonathan Quick leads the league with a 1.42 goals against average, and .951 save percentage.
  • Checking in on an ex, Mitch Marner has recorded 20 points in 18 games with the 8-4-6 Vegas Golden Knights.
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