Lane Hutson reaffirmed his pledge to USA Hockey, dismissing his father’s Canada chatter as he heads into another season with the Montreal Canadiens. The Calder Trophy winner, 21, remains a focal point for US defense prospects amid dual-citizenship chatter and a backdrop of national-team planning. The piece frames Hutson as a future US cornerstone while the Canadiens navigate a young blue line and growing international ambitions.

Corey Perry will miss six to eight weeks after knee surgery, a setback for the Los Angeles Kings as training camp opens and the season against Colorado looms. The 40-year-old winger signed this summer for a 21st NHL season, after a career that included 14 seasons with Anaheim, a 2007 Cup, and five Final appearances. He sits 121st on the all-time scoring list heading into 2025-26, having posted 19 goals and 11 assists for Edmonton last season and 10 goals with four assists in the playoffs. The injury opens opportunites for younger Kings to grab minutes and for the special teams to adjust without Perry early on.

The absence tests the team’s depth and could accelerate line tinkering and increased roles for other veterans as the club navigates the opening stretch until Perry’s return, with Kopitar and the top combinations tasked with steadying the offense while the winger rehabs.