Here’s a look at key players with Western New York connections scheduled to start the season in the NHL and AHL:
Patrick Kane (South Buffalo)
Team: Detroit Red Wings
Position: Wing
2025-26 outlook: Future Hall of Famer and three-time Cup champion on the precipice of becoming NHL’s all-time scoring leader among American-born players, but looking to get back to the playoffs for just the second time in last six seasons.
Alex Iafallo (Eden)
Team: Winnipeg Jets
Position: Wing
2025-26 outlook: Entering ninth NHL season and has played all 82 games in first two years in Winnipeg, which is defending President’s Trophy champion. Now 31, versatile forward had 15 goals and career-high plus-21 rating last season.
Marcus Foligno (Buffalo)
Team: Minnesota Wild
Position: Wing
2025-26 outlook: Former Sabres draftee and forward, 34, has played 875 NHL games entering 15th season. His 14-goal campaign last year was the second-highest of his career.
Dennis Gilbert (Buffalo)
Team: Philadelphia Flyers
Position: Defense
2025-26 Outlook: Former Sabre cleared waivers and was announced on Flyers’ 23-man roster. He’ll be battling to keep his spot on the blue line and avoid a trip to Lehigh Valley of the AHL.
Nick DeSimone (East Amherst)
Team: Utah Mammoth
Position: Defense
2025-26 Outlook: Signed one-year contract in May and expects to get a crack at first full NHL season. Has three goals in 58 career NHL games and 38 goals in 353 games with five AHL teams.
Nick Foligno (Buffalo)
Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Position: Center
2025-26 Outlook: 37-year-old captain coming off 15-goal, 35-point season continues in show-them-the-way role for team full of young players. Has played 1,233 NHL games and is three points shy of 600 for career.
AHL
Quentin Musty (Hamburg)
Team: San Jose Barracuda (San Jose)
Position: Wing
2025-26 Outlook: First-rounder from 2023 tailed off at end of camp and will make full-time pro debut in the minors. Got three AHL games last season after 30-goal campaign in Sudbury.
Ryan Schmelzer (Williamsville)
Team: Utica Comets (New Jersey)
Position: Center
2025-26 Outlook: Former Canisius College star entering eighth season in Devils chain, fifth in Utica. The 32-year-old has been captain since 2021 and is coming off career-high 23-goal season. Is on second year of two-way contract and still looking to make NHL debut after 409 AHL games.
Keaton Mastrodonato (Canisius College)
Team: Ontario Reign (Los Angeles)
Position: Wing
2025-26 Outlook: Standout of Griffs’ 2023 NCAA Tournament team signed one-year AHL contract in August. Didn’t score in 13 AHL games last season with Colorado but has 43 goals in ECHL the last two years, with 19 last season for Utah Grizzlies.
Justin Bailey (Williamsville)
Team: San Diego Gulls (Anaheim)
Position: Wing
2025-26 Outlook: Former Sabre turned 30 in July and is on sixth NHL organization after re-signing one-year AHL deal over summer. Has 155 goals in 438 career AHL games and 10 goals in 141 NHL games. Combined for 19-17-36 last season with San Jose Barracuda and San Diego.
Parker Gahagan (Buffalo)
Team: Bridgeport Islanders (New York)
Position: Goalie
2025-26 Outlook: At age 32, former Army West Point star signed AHL deal over summer after strong showing last year with Lehigh Valley in Flyers chain (12-4-3, 2.39/.916). Appeared for New York Islanders in preseason, making 15 of 16 saves during game action and seven more in shootout of loss to Philadelphia.
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Mike Harrington
Sports Columnist
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