In one of the most emotional moments of the NHL season, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Sean Monahan was named the 2025 recipient of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, awarded for perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. Monahan, 30, received the award at his home outside Toronto, in a surprise orchestrated by none other than Meredith Gaudreau, widow of Johnny Gaudreau, Monahan’s longtime best friend and former Flames teammate who died tragically last August in a bicycle accident alongside his brother, Matthew. Both were struck by an alleged drunk driver in Salem County, New Jersey. “You don’t hear John’s name without thinking of Sean,” Meredith said. “They’re best friends, they’re brothers.” “John knows I don’t like the spotlight,” Monahan said. “So I feel like he’s probably watching that moment and laughing at me.” “Having Meredith come down… was a lot of emotions right away and very special.” A $2,500 donation will be made to the Bill Masterton Scholarship Fund in Monahan’s name. “It’s a real big honor,” Monahan said. “There’s a lot of special names on that trophy. The meaning behind it is something I take great pride in — being on a team, being a father, a husband.” In Meredith’s words: “Sean, you persevered through one of the hardest things. This one’s just celebrating your character… I know John is so proud of you.” And now, with his name etched into Masterton history, Monahan stands not only as a symbol of perseverance on the ice but of enduring love and friendship off it.

The Toronto Maple Leafs added experience to their bench on Friday by hiring Derek Lalonde as an assistant coach. The move comes just over five months after Lalonde was dismissed from his role as head coach of the Detroit Red Wings. Lalonde led the Red Wings for two seasons (2022–2024), compiling an 89-86-23 record but falling short of the Stanley Cup Playoffs both years. He was let go on December 26 and replaced by veteran coach Todd McLellan. Before Detroit, Lalonde built his reputation under Jon Cooper as an assistant with the Tampa Bay Lightning, helping guide the team to back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in 2020 and 2021. His résumé also includes international experience with Team USA at the IIHF World Championships in both 2023 and 2024. Lalonde now joins head coach Craig Berube’s staff in Toronto. Berube completed his first season behind the Leafs bench with a 52-26-4 record and a first-place finish in the Atlantic Division. However, the team fell in seven games to the Florida Panthers in the second round of the playoffs. Toronto had a vacancy on its coaching staff after assistant Lane Lambert was hired as head coach of the Seattle Kraken on May 29. The Leafs are looking to reshape their coaching group in hopes of finally ending that historic drought.

During his three years as Detroit’s offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson earned a reputation for bold trick plays, fearlessly calling them in critical moments. Now as Chicago’s head coach, Ben Johnson making sure the Bears are ready by closing minicamp with an unusual drill: sending offensive linemen sprinting down the sideline for passing practice. Backup QB Tyson Bagent  joked that “nobody I threw the ball to, at least” stood out, but right tackle Darnell Wright stole the spotlight with a slick one-handed catch and spin before hitting the ground.  If this is a sign of things to come, Bears fans might be in for some creative offensive fireworks this season.

After a frustrating 2024 season, Pro Bowl receiver DJ Moore says he’s turning a new page with the Panthers. On Tuesday, Moore revealed he’s had talks with new head coach Ben Johnson about keeping his emotions in check. “Just don’t do it. Just keep it inside,” DJ Moore said, joking about not giving the media any fuel. Johnson has made it clear he wants to reshape not only the roster but also the team’s culture, emphasizing professionalism and positive energy. The Panthers and DJ Moore seem ready to start fresh this season.