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When we compiled a list two years ago of up-and-coming NHL coach and general manager candidates, we noted how familial the hiring practices could be. Since the 2005-06 season, nearly 60% of the coaches hired were what the industry calls “retreads,” and it was rare to see an outside-the-box candidate take over the general manager role. More glaringly, the positions had almost exclusively gone to white men.

In the past year, there has been a sea of change across hockey. San Jose hired Mike Grier, making him the league’s first Black GM. A historic offseason included six women being promoted to NHL assistant general manager positions; prior to 2022 only one woman held that title in league history. One of the new assistant GMs, Alexandra Mandrycky in Seattle, became the first woman elevated to that position to specialize in analytics. Jessica Campbell was named an assistant coach in Coachella Valley, making her the first woman behind the bench in the AHL. And in the ECHL, Joel Martin was hired in Kalamazoo, joining Jason Payne (Cincinnati Cyclones) as the only Black head coaches in North American professional hockey. Patrik Allvin, who is Swedish, was also hired as GM in Vancouver, giving the NHL two European general managers.

We’re starting to see leaders in hockey become more diverse, including diversity in thought process. But for all the progress, it will likely take more time to see some of them in the highest positions, as they continue to rise the ranks.

There are plenty of bright hockey minds working their way up in the sport, and some are more seasoned and ready for an opportunity now. ESPN polled 24 people in and around the NHL — agents, front-office executives, league officials — and asked two questions. Who is up next? And who should we be keeping an eye on? We combined that data with input on the politics of hiring cycles, understanding what ownership and people in hiring positions are looking for and which candidates might have backing around the league that elevates them to the top of shortlists. Here are the results.


Ready right now

These are coaches who have put in the work and could step in and lead a team right now.

Andrew Brunette, New Jersey Devils assistant coach

The Florida Panthers changed course to hire Paul Maurice instead of promoting Brunette — who as an interim coach following Joel Quenneville’s forced resignation last season ushered the franchise to its first Presidents Trophy. Brunette took an assistant job in New Jersey and could be next in line to succeed 63-year-old Lindy Ruff, unless another organization scoops him first. Said one player who has been coached by Brunette: “He has a way of connecting with guys. He’s a really fun guy but is definitely serious when he needs to. I like his communication style.”

Spencer Carbery, Toronto Maple Leafs assistant coach

The 41-year-old is one of the buzziest names on the coaching circuit — and that’s even before he landed in Toronto, center of the hockey media universe. A few respondents said to monitor Carbery as an option for the Capitals should they make a change. Carbery is thought highly of in the Caps organization after three years leading its top minor league affiliate, the Hershey Bears. He has been a quick riser after winning ECHL Coach of the Year (2014) and AHL Coach of the Year (2021). Washington wanted to keep him on, but Carbery took an assistant job with the Maple Leafs in 2021. Since Carbery took over running the power play, Toronto has the league’s second-best man-up unit (behind Edmonton).

Jay Leach, Seattle Kraken assistant coach

After four years as the head coach of the AHL Providence Bruins, Leach was hired as one of the inaugural assistant coaches with the Seattle Kraken prior to the 2021-22 season. He was in consideration for the Bruins’ head coaching job this past summer after Bruce Cassidy was fired, with the B’s picking Jim Montgomery. Leach was described by one former colleague as “warm and engaging.”

“If you spend 15 minutes in conversation with him, you’ll realize he has that ‘it’ factor,” the former colleague said. “Like, this guy is a leader of men. Someone you’d have no problem being front-facing for your organization.”

Marco Sturm, AHL Ontario Reign head coach

One respondent put it bluntly: “Nobody would be surprised if he takes over for Todd McLellan as the coach of the Los Angeles Kings one day.” McLellan and the Kings are invested in the development of Sturm, the former NHL forward who had a strong run as the GM of Germany’s national team. The Kings essentially handpicked Sturm for the role of Reign head coach, not interviewing anyone else. “McLellan respects Sturm a lot,” one respondent said. “Instead of staying on as an assistant for another season, [McLellan] told [Sturm] to go to the AHL to get head coaching experience, which was a smart move for his development.”

Ryan Warsofsky, San Jose Sharks assistant coach

The Massachusetts native came up through the Washington Capitals farm system, serving as coach and director of hockey operations for the ECHL’s South Carolina StingRays.

Warsofsky won two Calder Cups as a coach in the Carolina Hurricanes system. The first came as an assistant with the Charlotte Checkers, which one respondent mentioned was especially impressive since “the team was on a shoestring budget.” The second was as the head coach of the Chicago Wolves after the Canes switched affiliates. While coaching Chicago, Warsofsky was the youngest head coach in the AHL at age 34. He joined David Quinn’s bench in San Jose this season, where he’s in charge of the Sharks’ penalty kill, a top-five unit in the league. “Good young mind who knows how to hold people accountable,” one respondent said. “And he’s won. You can never discount that.”

Pascal Vincent, Columbus Blue Jackets associate coach

If Columbus makes a change this summer, Vincent would be one of the leading candidates to take over the job. Vincent, who is bilingual (English and French), has been successful at every level, including being named the QMJHL Coach of the Year in 2008 and the AHL’s most outstanding coach in 2018. He was a longtime Winnipeg Jets assistant coach but decided to take the job leading their AHL affiliate so he could get more head coaching experience.

Vincent was described as being “extremely intelligent, truly hardworking and well spoken” by one respondent, who noted that he has a track record for connecting with players.


Next wave

These are coaches who need a bit more time and seasoning but are on an NHL coaching track. Keep an eye on these names over the next few seasons.

Jessica Campbell, AHL Coachella Firebirds assistant coach

Campbell, 30, is the first woman behind a bench in the AHL, coaching for Seattle’s top minor league affiliate. The former Cornell and Canadian national team forward has a ton of supporters, especially players whom she has worked with. Campbell began her own business during the pandemic, running skating sessions in Kelowna, British Columbia, for 20 NHL players, including Mat Barzal, Luke Schenn and Brent Seabrook. She then went to coach in Germany, where Moritz Seider and Tim Stutzle also became fans. Campbell has a way of connecting with players through positivity, empowering them to be part of the process. With the Coachella Valley Firebirds, head coach Dan Bylsma empowered Campbell to run the power play from day one and it’s been a top-10 unit in the league all season.

Korie Chevrie, Canada women’s national team assistant coach

Chevrie, 35, has been a star of the NHLCA Female Coaches Development Program. The former CWHL player began tracking to coach in men’s hockey when she took a job as an assistant for Ryerson in 2016, becoming the first woman behind the bench in Canadian men’s college hockey. Opportunities opened from there, including interviewing with the Kraken organization this past summer and coaching at Coyotes rookie development camp in July.

Chevrie toggles between coaching in the women’s game and the men’s game, but has star power because, as one respondent said: “She’s just someone that exudes confidence. That’s something you can’t teach.”

Joel Martin, ECHL Kalamazoo Wings head coach

The 40-year-old Martin is in just his first year as a head coach in the ECHL — following three years as an assistant — but was described as a future “fast riser” in the coaching ranks. The former minor league goaltender has been active in the NHL Coaches Association BIPOC programs, which will only give him more exposure. Martin, who has been mentored by Jason Payne, isn’t in a rush to get to the top. Consider Martin more of a long-term play.

Steve McCarthy, Columbus Blue Jackets assistant coach

McCarthy, a 1999 draft pick of the Blackhawks, hung up the skates in 2016 after a pro career spanning six different leagues. Since then, he has been on the fast track as a coach. McCarthy immediately took a job as an assistant coach with the Cleveland Monsters in the AHL, the last team he played for. He was poised to be the head coach of the Monsters but decided to take the opportunity for NHL bench experience.

McCarthy coaches the D in Columbus, where one of his players said: “He’s relatable as a coach. I love the way he sees the game, and he has a way of connecting with the young guys and getting the most out of them.”

Paul McFarland, Seattle Kraken assistant coach

The Kraken have a strong development pool, including the 37-year-old McFarland, who was described by a respondent as a “progressive thinker.” McFarland got his start in the NHL as an assistant with the Maple Leafs.

“Mike Babcock found McFarland super impressive in Toronto,” the respondent said. “That’s why he hired him.” Toronto wanted to keep McFarland, but he decided to get leadership experience in the OHL — where he took the head coach and general manager job for the Kingston Frontenacs, in part also for the experience to work with Shane Wright. That didn’t quite happen in the pandemic-affected season, so McFarland found himself back behind an NHL bench in Seattle.

Matt McIlvane, EC Red Bull Salzburg head coach

The 37-year-old McIlvane, an Illinois native and former Ohio State captain, began his coaching career in the FHL and ECHL before moving to Europe, where he has been since 2013. McIlvane has coached in both Germany and Austria (where he is currently) and has also been tapped as an assistant for German national teams. McIlvane’s name is starting to circulate in hockey circles, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him come back to North America next season, likely in the AHL as his first stop.

Jason Payne, ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones head coach

As one respondent said, “Jason Payne is starting to get notoriety in the industry. He’s squarely on people’s radar.”

When Payne was hired in Cincinnati, he was the only Black head coach in North American professional hockey. After working up the ranks across several leagues, Payne has led the Cyclones to success and coached the ECHL All-Star Game this year. Payne helped at Buffalo Sabres development camp last summer, and Don Granato told people how much of a valuable contributor Payne was.

“He’s put in his time in Cincinnati for a few years [beginning as an assistant coach] and I admire that he understands he needs time,” one respondent said. “But I do think his time will come soon. He’s earned it.”

Marc Savard, OHL Windsor Spitfires head coach

A history of concussions forced Savard to retire prematurely from the NHL. But the former center — who became a fan favorite with the Boston Bruins, and had enough of an impact on the team that management fought to get his name engraved on their 2011 Stanley Cup — has pivoted to coaching. He spent one year as an assistant coach for the Blues before becoming the head coach in Windsor, where he led the team to the finals in his second season. That prompted Savard to get some interest from NHL teams for an assistant job this summer, though he’s focused on becoming the best head coach he can be.

“He’s a popular guy and has done well in the O,” one respondent said. “He’ll be back in the NHL eventually.”

Cory Stillman, Arizona Coyotes assistant coach

After playing 1,000 games in the NHL and winning two Stanley Cups, Stillman has the credentials a lot of organizations value — and have a tendency to overvalue. But that shouldn’t be a mark against Stillman; he has put in the work to rise in coaching. Stillman was the head coach of the Sudbury Wolves in the OHL for three years before being named an assistant in Arizona.

“He has very high expectations for players and holds them accountable,” one respondent said. “Just a really solid coach.” Stillman interviewed with the Bruins for the Providence AHL job and will be on more organizations’ radars in the future.

Mike Van Ryn, St Louis Blues assistant coach

The former NHL defenseman, 43, has been on other organizations’ radars for a few years. Van Ryn has experience as a head coach, albeit for only one year with the Tucson Roadrunners of the AHL. But Van Ryn is constantly looking for ways to improve and learn; in the offseason, he enrolled in a neuroscience coaching program to tap into another way of mentoring people.

Van Ryn isn’t the only Blues assistant with head coaching potential. Steve Ott, the former Sabres captain, is thought of highly by Blues GM Doug Armstrong and has other backers around the league.

Joel Ward, AHL Henderson Silver Knights assistant coach

Players who shared a locker room with Ward over his 11-year NHL playing career routinely cite him as one of their favorite teammates. Ward was also a fan favorite at each of his stops (Nashville, Minnesota, San Jose, Washington), which will make him attractive to owners and those in hiring positions.

Ward’s easy-going personality has already made him a hit behind the bench for the Golden Knights’ AHL affiliate since he joined the team in November 2020. Ward’s contract with the Vegas organization runs through this season. He should get opportunities to be behind an NHL bench next season as an assistant coach. “Ward still needs some seasoning,” one respondent said. “But he has the personality and the ability to lead an NHL team one day.”


The retreads

Coaches who have led NHL teams before but have stayed in the game and worked their way to earning a second opportunity.

Jeremy Colliton, AHL Abbotsford Canucks head coach

Colliton was hired to coach the Blackhawks at age 33, with no NHL experience, and tasked with replacing future Hall of Famer Joel Quenneville. Colliton wasn’t exactly set up for success. “He’s very reflective,” one respondent said. “He made mistakes he won’t make the second time, and he continues to develop and put time into his craft.”

When Colliton was fired, he went to Europe because he wanted to sit in with other coaches and learn how they teach. This past summer, Colliton turned down NHL assistant coaching jobs because he wanted to be a head coach again, even if it was in the AHL. Several respondents predicted Colliton would get another NHL opportunity.

Todd Reirden, Pittsburgh Penguins assistant coach

He’s the only person to coach both Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby — unique perspective, for sure. Reirden was an assistant for Barry Trotz in Washington before he was tapped to replace him. While it didn’t go as either party had hoped, they remained on good terms. Reirden went back and accepted an assistant job in Pittsburgh, where he runs the defense. Last summer Reirden was promoted to associate coach and given a contract extension.

“Mike Sullivan thinks very highly of him as a coach,” one respondent said. “He’s a smart hockey mind. I think he would do well if given a second opportunity.”

Joe Sacco, Boston Bruins assistant coach

Sacco, a Boston assistant since 2014, interviewed for the Bruins’ head coaching job this summer, but the job went to Montgomery. Even still, Sacco stuck around on Montgomery’s staff, which speaks to how he is viewed. “He’s a very good coach,” one respondent said. “Adds a ton of value to the staff.” Sacco is in charge of the Bruins’ penalty kill, which has been tops in the league all season. Sacco coached the Avalanche from 2009 to ’13, but one respondent thought Sacco could receive renewed attention based on Boston’s success this season.


General managers

Ready right now

These are candidates who have either the credentials or the behind-the-scenes backing that could land them GM positions as soon as next season.

Jason Botterill, Seattle Kraken assistant general manager

He’s the only retread on this list, but for good reason. Multiple respondents said Botterill — currently an assistant general manager with the Kraken — is tracking for a second opportunity as a GM, perhaps as soon as this summer.

“I think everyone around the league realizes he wasn’t dealt the best hand in Buffalo when it came to what ownership asked of him, the circumstances he had to navigate,” one well-connected league source said. “If you look at the Sabres now, they’re well-positioned for success, and Botts built a lot of that foundation. He’ll get another shot.”

Danny Briere, Philadelphia Flyers interim general manager

Briere holds the interim title in Philadelphia — but it’s one of league’s worst-kept secrets that the 45-year-old will likely get the job. The Flyers have been developing Briere for this opportunity for years, including sending him to UPenn’s Wharton School of Business to strengthen his business acumen. That suggested Briere was on the team president track. However, when Chuck Fletcher entered the fray, the veteran GM took Briere under his wing, giving him exposure and experience at all levels of the franchise.

Mathieu Darche, Tampa Bay Lightning assistant general manager

The 45-year-old Darche has a wealth of experience. He’s a former NHL player who has dabbled in broadcasting, sales and marketing and served five years on the board of the Ronald McDonald House. During the 2012-13 NHL lockout, he was appointed to the NHLPA’s negotiating team and was an integral voice for the players working toward a new CBA.

In Tampa Bay, he has had a key role in player contract negotiations, budgeting and the salary cap. One NHL agent describes Tampa’s assistant GM as having “a really pleasant demeanor. Well-spoken. Honest and fair to work with. I know he’s interviewed for a few GM jobs, including Montreal, but wouldn’t be surprised if he continues to get looks.”

Laurence Gilman, Toronto Maple Leafs assistant general manager

When the league needed to create a new set of expansion rules ahead of the Golden Knights’ arrival, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly turned to Gilman for help. When asking around about Gilman, the word that continually came up in conversations was “smart.” Gilman was also described as “well-connected,” which tends to go a long way in NHL hiring practices. He’s running the Marlies for Toronto now, but he has a ton of experience as a capologist and negotiator. Gilman was in the mix for the Vancouver GM job last year.

Ryan Martin, New York Rangers assistant general manager

Martin, who came to New York in 2021 after 16 years with the Red Wings, has put in the work. “If you looked around the league and tried to identify someone who doesn’t have GM experience but could step into that role seamlessly from day one, Ryan Martin would be top of list,” one respondent said. “He has experience in all assets of hockey ops.” That includes working across amateur, scouting and pro staffs, overseeing AHL teams, plus managing the salary cap and contract negotiations for two of the premier organizations in the league. Martin interviewed in Anaheim, and according to sources close to that process, “he interviewed extremely well.”

Ray Whitney, NHL director of player safety

Whitney retired from the NHL in 2015 after 22 seasons and more than 1,300 games. Well-connected after playing for eight teams, including winning a Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes in 2006, Whitney took a job as a scout in Carolina before joining the league’s Department of Player Safety in 2017. Whitney was a finalist for the Sharks GM job last year, and is expected to make future shortlists — especially since he has backing from the league office. An NHL team’s front-office executive described Whitney as “charismatic and magnetic — someone who would be able to manage up and manage down, which is an essential quality in running a team.”


The next wave

These candidates are rising stars in hockey management circles. While they might not be ready right now, they are on a track to run a team one day.

Ryan Bowness, Ottawa Senators assistant general manager

Bowness, 39, came up through the Thrashers/Jets organization before rising up the ranks in Pittsburgh for six years, becoming the Penguins director of pro scouting. But when Ron Hextall was hired, he didn’t promote Bowness, which had him looking for opportunities elsewhere. He found a match in Ottawa.

“First, he’s just a great person. But the Senators absolutely love him,” one respondent said. “Pierre Dorion leans on him heavily. He’s been a huge asset to their organization over the last year.” Bowness is the son of Winnipeg Jets coach Rick Bowness.

Emilie Castonguay, Vancouver Canucks assistant general manager

Castonguay was hired as an assistant general manager in Vancouver along with Cammi Granato, and is another name to watch. Castonguay’s portfolio includes the CBA, NHL contracts and salary negotiations. An agent who regularly works with Castonguay called her “extremely smart, organized, and has a confidence about her.”

Meghan Duggan, New Jersey Devils director of player development

Since joining the Devils in a newly created role in 2021, Duggan has thrived — being promoted within a year. Duggan runs the Devils’ development camp and is heavily involved in the organization’s athletes care staff, which creates individual development plans, both physical and mental, for players. Now based in Toronto, Duggan has been pounding the pavement scouting and visiting with Devils prospects.

Because of her credentials and leadership résumé — Duggan captained Team USA to a 2018 Olympic gold medal, highlighting a 14-year stint with the national team — one respondent said, “You’re going to hear Meghan Duggan’s name being mentioned as a potential NHL GM much sooner than you think.”

Cammi Granato, Vancouver Canucks assistant general manager

Granato, a Hockey Hall of Famer, is one of the best women’s hockey players in United States history, captaining the first U.S. Olympic gold medal-winning team. Granato, who is married to ESPN analyst Ray Ferraro, has had job opportunities come up over the past decade but often turned them down for family reasons. She entered the fray in 2019 when the Kraken hired her to be the first female scout in NHL history. The Canucks poached Granato last summer, tasking her with overseeing their scouting department.

Ryan Hardy, Toronto Maple Leafs assistant general manager

The 36-year-old Hardy, who got his start as a Bruins scout, was on our list last year, after three years running the Chicago Steel of the USHL. As one respondent said in 2022: “He’s got his s— together. He’s a great recruiter, well organized and runs a great organization. Running a USHL team is a tough gig.” That caught the eye of the Maple Leafs, who hired Hardy last year to run the Marlies of the AHL.

“He’s young, he’s bright, he’s easy to talk to,” one respondent said. “He needs some polish, but he’s well on his way.”

Brad Holland, Edmonton Oilers assistant general manager

Nepotism is quite prevalent in hockey, and Holland has been boosted because his father, Ken, is the longtime architect of the Detroit Red Wings and currently is GM of the Oilers. “But Brad has proven his value, especially when it comes to analytics and finding inefficiencies,” one respondent said. “He’s actually a great complement to his dad, who is more of an old-school guy, and his type of thinking aligns with where hockey is going.” Holland has experience in several area of hockey ops, most recently overseeing pro scouting for the Oilers.

Shawn Horcoff, Detroit Red Wings assistant general manager

Horcoff was a fourth-round pick who had no guarantee of even making an NHL roster. He then went on to play 1,000 career games. Horcoff applied the same principles that made him a successful player to his career in management, something he has been singularly focused on for a while now. It’s why someone who made nearly $50 million as a player took a hockey ops job that initially paid him about $60,000. He wasn’t afraid of the work. With the departures of Pat Verbeek and Ryan Martin, Horcoff has become a key member of Steve Yzerman’s brain trust (which is small). Yzerman has supported Horcoff to get experience in all facets of the job, from contract negotiations to player development.

Jamie Langenbrunner, Boston Bruins assistant general manager

The former NHL captain, two-time Stanley Cup winner and Olympic silver medalist joined the Bruins in 2015, a year after retirement. He got an in with the organization thanks to former teammate Jay Pandolfo and initially began in player development, working with Boston’s prospects. Langenbrunner’s role expanded from there, as he now oversees the Bruins’ top minor league team in Providence.

A respondent described Langenbrunner as “a key member of the organization’s brain trust.”

“You can tell Don Sweeney trusts him,” another respondent said, “which should say a lot.”

Kate Madigan, New Jersey Devils assistant general manager

At age 30, Madigan is a fast riser. Madigan ran track at Northeastern, where her father, Jim, was the longtime hockey coach turned athletic director. Her background is in accounting; she took a postgrad job at Deloitte before then-GM Ray Shero hired her in New Jersey. Now, she’s essentially Tom Fitzgerald’s chief of staff, traveling with the team, running logistics and so much more. A Devils front-office staffer described Madigan’s role as “serving as a liaison between business and hockey ops, the analytics department and coaching staff, and everything in between.”

“Fitzy has a small leadership group that he trusts as his sounding board,” the Devils staffer said. “Kate quickly earned a spot in that group.” Madigan is well-suited for a team president or president of hockey operations role, which is likely the track she’s on.

Alex Mandrycky, Seattle Kraken assistant general manager

Mandrycky got her NHL start in 2015 as a data analyst for the Minnesota Wild. She was one of the Kraken’s first hires and was part of the search committee that hired GM Ron Francis. Since then, she has been a key voice Francis leans on. When Mandrycky was promoted to assistant general manager this summer, she was the first person in league history elevated to that position with a background with a sole focus in analytics.

“I’ve always been in the school of thought that you find the best person available for the job,” Francis told ESPN in September. “Alex isn’t getting this promotion because she’s a female. It’s because she’s earned this promotion, there’s no doubt about it. She’s already been involved in all facets of our organization, from the pro side to amateur to management discussions.”

Rich Peverley, Dallas Stars Director of player personnel

The Stars have successfully starved off a rebuild, and their window is wide open thanks to smart drafting and equally strong development of prospects. One of the people most influential in that development process is Peverley, the former player whose career was cut short in 2015. He immediately began working for the Stars, who promoted him to his current title in 2021. GM Jim Nill has called Peverley his ‘eyes and ears’ and knows how important he is to their big club’s success. For example, Peverley worked closely with Jason Robertson during his AHL season, preceding his meteoric rise.

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The Tao of Stu: Inside the mind of Oilers goalie Skinner

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The Tao of Stu: Inside the mind of Oilers goalie Skinner

EDMONTON, Alberta — It took a while for Stuart Skinner to confront the anguish of losing Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final last season.

“Definitely. Internally, there was something buried. That’s kind of an easy way to do it, instead of thinking about it and trying to process it. I stuffed it down,” Skinner recalled. “I normally open up the wound pretty quickly, but it took me a little while into the summer. It bit me in the butt halfway through.”

Now that he has tackled that pain, the experiences that devastated Skinner last season have put him in a position to potentially lift the Stanley Cup this season.

“I feel completely different. I think everybody in our room feels different. Because we’ve already done it,” he said before their Stanley Cup Final rematch against the Florida Panthers. “We’ve already gone through it. And to be honest, we’ve gone through the worst-case scenario: losing Game 7.”

Skinner, 26, is in his fifth NHL season, all of them with the Edmonton Oilers, who drafted him 78th overall in 2017. Before he was an Oilers goalie, he was an Oilers fan: The Edmonton native remembers sitting in the stands chanting “NUUUUUUUGE!” for forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, his favorite player growing up — and with whom he now shares a dressing room.

“It’s pretty amazing. He was obviously my favorite player growing up and being able to play with him has been one of the coolest things,” Skinner said.

And so the Game 7 loss to the Panthers last season was crushing on several levels. The Oilers rallied from a 3-0 series deficit to force a seventh game, only to lose 2-1 and with it the chance to raise the Stanley Cup. Captain Connor McDavid broke down crying in the dressing room after the game. Skinner’s tears started before the postseries handshake line.

It wasn’t just squandering a chance at living a childhood dream and winning the Stanley Cup as an Oiler. Skinner believed he had, in a way, let his country down, one that has been waiting to see another Canadian team skate the Cup since Montreal won it in 1993.

“It’s a little bit tougher because it’s a Canadian market. All of Canada’s watching you. All of Canada’s disappointed in you,” he said.

Skinner buried all of this for as long as he could. He told his wife, Chloe, that he was “totally fine,” to which she responded, “I don’t think you are.” Skinner said she was instrumental in helping him “open the wound” and deal with that anguish. He talked to her, friends, teammates and coaches about the devastation he felt.

“I got a lot of people in my corner where I’m able to ‘word vomit’ a bit, let all the emotion out,” he said.

He journaled. A lot. It’s something Skinner has done since he was 18 to “calm the mind down” and be as present as he can.

“I think that’s kind of my main goal through all this. I think last year, with all the emotions, you can sometimes get away from the present moment,” he said. “There are just little tools that can really help you.”

Then, he tore open the wound a few weeks before the 2024-25 season: Skinner finally watched Game 7.

“I’m not too sure why. Maybe for a little motivation. Maybe to get the emotions out of it,” he said.

He watched the two goals he surrendered. He thought about the handshake line, when he congratulated his adversary, Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, despite being an emotional wreck in the moment.

“That’s hard to do, obviously, when you’re in the midst of being crushed and in the midst of crying. So yeah, in a moment like that, you got to be a man about it and be kind to everybody,” Skinner said. “I mean, it’s one of their best days of their lives, so I’m not going to have my own little pity party with them.”

Bobrovsky remembers that interaction, too.

“I tried to support him, obviously. I said that he’s played great. He gave it all. It was a good fight. It was a good battle,” the Panthers goalie said.

Skinner finished rewatching Game 7, and that was it. “Now, it’s in the past,” he said.

This is what Stuart Skinner does. Adversity comes. He processes it, turns its energy into a positive force for personal growth.

“A lifetime of hardships, a lifetime of moments of success. All the things you experience and you think it’s the end of the world. You get a choice to make in that moment: to either get up or to give up,” Skinner said. “I’ve always had the true belief that if you just never, ever give up, that you’ll be able to do it. And I believe that for anybody.”


IT’S NOT EASY being Stuart Skinner in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

“Yeah, he’s had some ups and downs. I think people focus probably more on the downs and the ups,” Oilers GM Stan Bowman said.

Skinner became the starter in 2022-23, giving up at least three goals in six of his 12 appearances as Edmonton bowed out in the second round to the Vegas Golden Knights.

The next season established the roller coaster status bestowed on Skinner’s playoff runs. He was benched in the second round against the Vancouver Canucks after giving up four goals on 15 shots in their Game 3 loss. Calvin Pickard played the next two games of the series, going 1-1. With the Oilers facing elimination, Skinner took the crease back and gave up just one goal in their Game 6 win, and two goals in their Game 7 victory.

Maligned as he was, Skinner did everything the Oilers asked of him for the next two rounds, limiting the Dallas Stars to just one goal in each of the last two games of that series and then giving up two or fewer goals in the last four games of the Stanley Cup Final loss to Florida.

To that end, the 2025 postseason has been vintage Skinner. He lost the first two games in the first round against the Los Angeles Kings, giving up 11 total goals and losing his crease again to Pickard, who went 6-0 until an injury brought Skinner back to the starter’s role in their Game 3 loss to Vegas.

“We’re after the same goal. Obviously, he would like to be in the net. It was his job to support me, and right now, it’s my job to support him,” Pickard said before the Final.

Since Game 4 against the Golden Knights, Skinner has been the best goaltender in the playoffs: 7-1, with a .938 save percentage and a 1.54 goals-against average, his benching as much a distant memory as it was last postseason.

“It’s kind of the story of the Oilers. We get knocked down, we just keep on getting back up, right? You’ve seen that in all the playoffs this year, as individuals and as a team,” Skinner said.

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Stuart Skinner makes an unbelievable diving save

Stuart Skinner makes a beautiful stick save to keep the game tied 2-2 for the Oilers vs. the Golden Knights.

Opposing fans and media have been rather unfeeling toward Skinner’s adversity. Road arenas echo with chants of “SKIN-NER!” even when he’s playing well. Los Angeles fans went as far as to chant “WE WANT SKINNER!” while he sat on the bench after being pulled. On a Stanley Cup contender with all-world talents on the roster, he’s seen as its Achilles heel at worst, and “the guy whose job it is not to lose the series” at best.

Defector’s Ray Ratto recently penned a column titled “Oh God, Stuart Skinner Controls The Oilers’ Destiny,” writing: “As the Oilers’ goaltender he has defined both the glories and horrors of being an Oil fan, because there is never a guarantee of what level of quality he will provide.”

As one would expect, Skinner’s teammates uniformly defend his play when confronted with that criticism. Many note that being a goaltender attracts more scrutiny and denouncement.

“Being a goalie in this league, being a starting goalie in Canada, it’s a pretty serious gig,” Pickard said.

“It’s the toughest position in sports, with the attention that they get. You look up and down the lineup, everyone makes mistakes. When the goalie does, then everyone pays attention,” Bowman said.

“It’s got to be one of the most pressure-packed positions in all of sports,” Oilers center Adam Henrique said. “Obviously, the media is a big aspect of it, too. In this market, there’s so much that goes into it. I think he does a great job of dealing with all that and adjusting and doing what he needs to do to be able to be himself.”

But beyond sympathy for the position he plays and defending his postseason performances, Skinner’s teammates also believe the highs and lows of his playoff runs are inspiring.

“That’s the best thing about hockey: You could be at the top of the world one day and you can be at the bottom of the mountain the next, trying to get back to the top,” defenseman Ty Emberson said.

“I think you just have to give him a lot of credit for his mental fortitude. You get pulled from a game, not be able to win a game and then come back and be the best goalie in the world,” Emberson said. “That’s something I’ve been telling [Skinner] over the last couple of weeks: ‘I think you’re the best goalie in the world.'”


HENRIQUE IS IN his 15th NHL season. Where does Stuart Skinner rank on his weird goalie meter?

“I wouldn’t say that high. He’s not a super weird guy, so I would say he’d be in the middle of ‘crazy, wacky goalie’ to ‘completely normal guy.’ Somewhere in the middle,” Henrique said. “I love that guy. To get to know him and see how he deals with pressure, he does a great job of the mental aspect of everything.”

It might surprise some that a goalie who has produced such chaotic swings during the playoffs is considered a calming influence among his teammates.

“It’s never too hectic with him,” Pickard said. “You’re going to play a lot of games over the course of the season. There’s going to be a lot of ups and downs, and he’s very even keel, and that’s a major attribute.”

Bowman said Skinner has “good demeanor” for a goalie. “I think you have to have that ability to shrug things off, and his ability to deal with that adversity has been impressive,” the GM said.

In Game 1 against the Panthers on Wednesday, adversity hit when Florida took a 3-1 lead in the second period. The Panthers were pushing hard to extend that lead, with a 30-16 shot-attempt advantage at 5-on-5 in the period. Ironically, that’s when Skinner’s mind was in its most serene state.

“Honestly, it quiets everything down because you’re doing so much work. In that moment, I’m actually doing the least amount of thinking,” he said. “Where I find I start thinking a lot is in the third period when I only get two shots and I’m kind of just waiting for it.”

When the Oilers cranked up their team defense in the third period, as they have for the past two rounds of the playoffs, Skinner said he does breathing exercises to get his heart rate up and his adrenaline pumping a bit more while not facing the same kind of barrage.

“You’re kind of almost anxious for [the puck] to come your way,” he said, “and obviously there’s a lot of thoughts of just like, ‘I really hope we score.'”

The Oilers rallied to tie the score and then scored near the end of the first overtime to take a 1-0 series lead, as McDavid found Leon Draisaitl for the game winner, which is something Skinner has seen more than a few times with the Oilers.

“I definitely do have the best seat in the house,” Skinner said after the game. “It’s a special moment. It’s excitement, it’s relief, it’s a lot of emotions coming up, a lot of pride coming up. You’re able to fight for a long, long time the whole game, and then you’re able to win.”

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P.K. Subban: Edmonton’s depth will be key to success

P.K. Subban joins “Get Up” and analyzes how the Edmonton Oilers’ depth on the ice can take them to a 2-0 series lead vs. the Florida Panthers.

McDavid had talked about how the Stanley Cup Final felt different this time. “It’s different in the sense that it feels less big, you know? Last year felt monumental. Very dramatic. This year feels very normal,” he said. “It’s easier to play and function when it’s just another day.”

Skinner feels the same way. “Last year, it’s your first time doing it. That can bring a lot of excitement, obviously a lot of energy,” he said. “I’m really grateful for that experience that I got last year because this year I feel the complete opposite.”

He said he gets rest between games, which was a challenge last season due to a lack of sleep. He said his sense of awe has dissipated year over year, too. Skinner remembered feeling overwhelmed when the Stanley Cup was presented on the ice before the first game last year. On Wednesday, when the Cup made its cameo, Skinner said he felt completely different.

“When I saw the Cup on the ice last year, I was kind of looking at it with googly eyes,” he said. “This year, I saw it already. So now it’s time to get back to work. It felt completely different emotionally.”

Skinner said he has visualized lifting the Stanley Cup and experiencing all of that joy that Game 7 kept from him last season.

“I’ve done all the manifestation tricks,” he said.

He has also imagined things not working out so well.

“You might think I’m a little wild, but I visualize both parts. I visualize being able to win and I visualize losing again,” he said. “You got to prepare for everything. There are so many things that can kind of happen.”

Stuart Skinner should know. He has experienced it all in the Stanley Cup playoffs, save for one thing: winning his last game.

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Stars fire coach DeBoer after West final loss

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Stars fire coach DeBoer after West final loss

DALLAS — Dallas Stars coach Pete DeBoer was fired Friday after three seasons with the team, getting to the Western Conference final each time but never advancing past that for a shot at the Stanley Cup.

General manager Jim Nill made the move less than a week since the Stars ended their season in a 6-3 loss at home to Edmonton in Game 5 of the West final.

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Meet the QBs in the 2026 NFL draft class: Strengths, weaknesses for 22 intriguing prospects

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Meet the QBs in the 2026 NFL draft class: Strengths, weaknesses for 22 intriguing prospects

After only two first-round picks at quarterback in the 2025 NFL draft, the 2026 NFL draft is expected to have a lot more exciting options. Several already stand out — Cade Klubnik (Clemson), LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina), Drew Allar (Penn State) and Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) jump to mind — and that doesn’t even include ballyhooed Texas sophomore Arch Manning, who has started just two college games.

While Manning might stay in college until 2027, I’m going to group him in with the top 22 draft-eligible passers below. I’ll also answer a couple of questions about NFL teams that might be taking a long look at these signal-callers. Players in each section are listed in alphabetical order.

Jump to a section:
Top names | Best of rest | Questions

Top names to know

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 238
Class: Senior

Where he excels Allar experienced a leap in his development in 2024, increasing his completion percentage from 59.9% in 2023 to 66.5%. The big, prototypical pocket passer excelled under first-year offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, throwing for 3,327 yards and 24 touchdowns with eight interceptions. His upper-tier arm strength gives him the confidence to test challenging throwing windows in intermediate areas. He also has enough mobility for his size to escape defenders in the pocket.

Where he needs work: While Allar’s completion percentage made a major leap, his ball placement was still inconsistent. He too often puts the ball on the wrong shoulder and his throws can be too high or too low on what should be easy completions. His performance against top-ranked teams has also been woefully inconsistent. Scouts will be watching him closely against Oregon (Sept. 27) and Ohio State (Nov. 1). Penn State is the top-ranked team in ESPN’s post-spring Way-Too-Early Top 25, but it will need Allar to play better in showcase games to live up to that billing.


Height: 6-4 | Weight: 220
Class: Sixth-year senior

Where he excels: Beck was regarded as a candidate to be the No. 1 overall pick in 2025 but had a disappointing final season at Georgia, throwing for 3,485 yards and 28 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. He now has a chance to revive his stock at Miami, which just produced the No. 1 pick in April’s draft in Cameron Ward. Beck is a rhythmic passer who plays well when he gets into an early groove. He gets the ball out in a hurry and is a true distributor who can spread the ball around the field.

Where he needs work: Beck experiences rough stretches with accuracy, especially when he isn’t sharp early. Last year’s Alabama game perfectly encapsulated Beck’s inconsistency, as he threw two interceptions while completing 47% of his first-half passes. Then, he turned it around with 339 passing yards and three touchdowns in the second half to lead a near-comeback. He was a roller coaster in 2024, but there’s a reason many evaluators had him as the QB1 entering last season. Miami’s offense has Air Raid principles, which should accent his gifts as a passer.

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Carson Beck’s best plays of the season for Georgia

Take a look at Carson Beck’s best plays of 2024 for Georgia after announcing his intention to enter the transfer portal.


Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 210 pounds
Class: Senior

Where he excels: Klubnik entered 2024 with question marks after a rough sophomore season but emerged as a star, finishing with 3,639 passing yards and 36 touchdown passes to only six interceptions. He’s able to repeat his mechanics and keep his eyes, feet and throwing motion in sync while going through his progressions. Klubnik saved his best game of the season for the first round of the College Football Playoff, throwing for 336 yards and three touchdowns against Texas. He should be set up for success in 2025, as Clemson returns its top three receivers. That’s a big reason why he was the No. 1 pick in my Way Too Early 2026 mock draft.

Where he needs work: Scouts around the league I’ve talked to have raised concerns about Klubnik’s arm strength and whether he can build on his 2024 success. Questions about his arm surface when he’s forced to test tight windows in underneath coverage and with his inconsistent trajectory on deep passes. Klubnik averaged only 8.56 air yards per passing attempt in 2024, ranking 58th in the FBS. He must be more assertive and willing to challenge coverage in intermediate and deep areas.


Height: 6-2 | Weight: 210
Class: Redshirt sophomore

Where he excels: Leavitt was a revelation last season after transferring from Michigan State, passing for 2,885 yards, 24 touchdowns and 6 interceptions while leading the Sun Devils to a Big 12 championship and the College Football Playoff. He’s a calm and poised passer whose 80 QBR was the 10th-best rate in the FBS. Leavitt always seems to be in control and consistently makes the correct play from the pocket. He’s at his best in play-action, as he can turn his back to the defense and reset his eyes to make throws.

Where he needs work: Leavitt has only 13 career starts, so the sample size is relatively small. He tends to be too bouncy in the pocket and needs to be more consistent in taking options that are available to him early in progressions. He’ll also face a lot more pressure this season, with star running back Cam Skattebo off to the NFL and the Sun Devils not being a sleeper team anymore after their conference title win. Leavitt will be counted on as the catalyst of Arizona State’s offense.


Height: 6-4 | Weight: 222
Class: Redshirt sophomore

Where he excels: Manning has started just two college games, throwing for 583 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions in those starts. He has a well-put-together frame, allowing him to avoid defenders in the pocket and bounce off tacklers in open space as a runner. Manning has a picture-perfect base and smooth delivery as a passer. He doesn’t have much experience in that department, as Texas used him primarily as a runner in 2024, but his prototypical build and physical tools were apparent on tape and give him immense potential. He will be under the tutelage of one of the country’s best QB developers in Steve Sarkisian, but Manning’s lack of experience makes him more likely to be in the 2027 draft class at the earliest.

Where he needs work: Manning has only 95 career passing attempts, so his sample size is small and more development is necessary. He had a habit of sticking to his primary read too long in his starts, leading to poor decision-making. He will need to improve his timing in getting through progressions and knowing when to move off his first read. He could also use his mobility much more on non-designed QB runs to help string together positive plays. He’ll be tested on these things early, as the Longhorns start the season at defending national champion Ohio State.


Height: 6-1 | Weight: 224
Class: Redshirt junior

Where he excels: Mateer joins the Sooners after three seasons at Washington State. He broke out in 2024, finishing with 3,139 passing yards and 29 touchdowns to only seven interceptions. He’s an aggressive playmaker who has all sorts of funky releases, allowing him to reposition his body and still get the ball out effectively. He has easy arm strength and isn’t hesitant to make far-hash throws. Mateer is a fierce competitor and an extremely effective runner on scrambles and designed QB runs, rushing for 826 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. He represents a clear upgrade for an Oklahoma offense that struggled mightily in 2024.

Where he needs work: Thanks to Washington State’s schedule, Mateer was able to get away with bad habits in the pocket that won’t fly in the SEC. He tends to be a tick slow on reads, relying on his arm power to alleviate tardiness in his progressions. The arm overconfidence also leads to him passing up easier shallow reads for more challenging deeper throws. He’ll be tested against a schedule featuring eight SEC schools and a Week 2 nonconference game against Michigan. If he passes with flying colors, Mateer could climb draft boards quickly.


Height: 6-5 | Weight: 225
Class: Redshirt junior

Where he excels: Mendoza arrives at Indiana after being the hub of Cal’s offense in 2024, throwing for 3,004 passing yards and 16 touchdowns with six interceptions. He has a snappy release that helps the ball come out of his hand with plenty of life. Mendoza is a precise passer who puts the ball in the proper place for his receivers, as evidenced by his FBS-best 5.1% off-target percentage last season. He is effective throwing from inside or outside the framework of the offense, ranking ninth in the FBS with a 91.1 QBR on throws outside of the pocket. He also excels at identifying and attacking advantageous one-on-one coverage situations.

Where he needs work: Mendoza’s escapability and effectiveness throwing from outside the pocket can lead to him being impatient and breaking the pocket prematurely. He needs to have more patience in letting concepts unfold, especially now that he will face upgraded defenses in the Big Ten. But Indiana’s offense is eerily similar to what he operated at Cal, giving Mendoza a chance to be a breakout candidate in 2025.


Height: 6-2 | Weight: 200
Class: Fifth-year senior

Where he excels: Nussmeier was up and down in his first season as a starter after replacing Jayden Daniels, throwing for 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The son of Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, Garrett has a firm grasp of defensive structures and coverages. He has the most jaw-dropping highlight tape of any QB in the class, as he routinely delivers the ball to where his targets are supposed to be. He also has a flexible arm, which allows him to alter his arm slots while maintaining accuracy.

Where he needs work: Nussmeier’s confidence and daredevil mentality can sometimes backfire. Though he doesn’t get sacked often (his 2.9% sack percentage was the 12th lowest in the FBS), he can be careless with the ball, especially against better defenses. He had three games of two or more interceptions against ranked teams in 2024. A lot of these mistakes happen when he is flushed from the pocket, where his decision-making must improve.

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Garrett Nussmeier launches a 41-yard dime to Chris Hilton Jr. for an LSU TD

Chris Hilton Jr. catches a 41-yard throw from Garrett Nussmeier to pad the Tigers’ lead.


Height: 6-3 | Weight: 242
Class: Redshirt sophomore

Where he excels: Sellers is a toolsy, explosive dual-threat passer who completed 65.6% of his passes for 2,534 yards and 18 touchdowns. On the ground, he rushed for 674 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He can easily throw to every level of the field and his compact, strong frame makes him a game changer on designed QB runs. Sellers’ unique strength and vision in the pocket allows him to make plays in unfavorable situations. Many of his top highlights last season were the result of him avoiding and shaking off tacklers. His raw ability, tools, youth (he’s 20 years old) and projected ascension are selling points teams are willing to bet on early in the draft.

Where he needs work: The offense Sellers ran last season was a simplistic mixture of mesh concepts, pre-snap reads and an occasional go route. He threw 27.4% of his passes at or behind the line of scrimmage, which ranked 92nd in the FBS. Along with increasing his understanding and advancement of concepts, Sellers needs to take better care of the ball. He had 11 fumbles (six lost) last season. He also needs to make decisions quicker — his 3.06-second average time to throw was the 11th-slowest in the country.

Best of the rest

Rocco Becht, Iowa State

Becht was steady as a third-year sophomore in 2024, throwing for 3,505 yards and 25 touchdowns with nine interceptions. The son of former NFL tight end Anthony Becht has a sudden over-the-top release that fits perfectly in a Cyclones offense that primarily operates in 10 and 11 personnel sets. The 6-1, 210-pound Becht doesn’t have the physical tools of other passers in the class, but he is consistent in keeping his eyes down the field and can make tough throws with pressure in his face.

Aidan Chiles, Michigan State

Chiles transferred to Michigan State from Oregon State prior to the 2024 season. He passed for 2,415 yards, 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions with the Spartans and has an explosive throwing release, leading to exciting flash plays when protected. But protection was a problem for the 6-3, 217-pound Chiles, who was pressured on 42.3% of his dropbacks (eighth highest in FBS). That led to a lot of turnover-worthy plays, especially early last season.

Taylen Green, Arkansas

Green enters his second season with the Razorbacks after spending his first three years at Boise State. He’s a big, dynamic dual-threat passer at 6-6, 230 pounds who had 602 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground last season. He threw for 3,154 yards with 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Green’s throwing motion is a bit elongated, and he needs to work on his consistency in rhythm from the pocket.

Mark Gronowski, Iowa

Gronowski had a historic career at South Dakota State, leading the Jackrabbits to two national championships and tying for the most-ever wins (49) for an FCS starting quarterback. He flirted with entering the 2025 NFL draft and even got an invite to the combine but decided to go to Iowa, whose offense showed improvement in 2024. The 6-3, 230-pounder is a densely built passer who can also make plays with his legs.

Eli Holstein, Pittsburgh

Holstein thrived as Pitt’s starter last season after transferring from Alabama, throwing for 2,225 yards and 17 touchdowns with seven interceptions. The 6-4, 225-pound Holstein is a strong-armed passer who can push the ball down the field with ease. He needs to play with more control and improve his ball placement, as his 14.7% off-target percentage ranked 100th in the FBS.

Josh Hoover, TCU

Hoover broke out as a redshirt freshman in 2024 with 3,949 passing yards and 27 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. The 6-2, 200-pounder possesses a compact release that allows him to get the ball out in a hurry. His 25 completions on passes of 20-plus air yards were the 12th most in the FBS last season.

Nico Iamaleava, UCLA

Iamaleava’s offseason was eventful and ended up with him leaving Tennessee to play for the Bruins. He finished his first season as a starter with 2,616 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. The 6-6, 215-pound Iamaleava is a slender, fluid passer with the arm talent to get the ball to his desired spots, but he struggled with his touch and accuracy on deeper passes. That will be worth watching this fall, as will his adjustment from the Vols’ unconventional passing offense to a more pro-style UCLA scheme.

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0:49

How Nico Iamaleava ended up at UCLA

Check out the timeline that led to Nico Iamaleava going from Tennessee to UCLA.

Kevin Jennings, SMU

Jennings was a breakout star in his first season as a starter, throwing for 3,245 yards and 23 touchdowns with 11 interceptions while adding 354 rushing yards and five ground touchdowns. The 6-0, 189-pounder is a blur that defenses struggled to contain thanks to his mobility and decision-making as a passer. His lack of size and quickness with the ball in his hands could make Jennings a candidate to play another position in the NFL.

Avery Johnson, Kansas State

With 2,712 passing yards and a school-record 25 touchdown passes, Johnson was the engine of Kansas State’s offense last season. The thinly built 6-2, 192-pounder also ran for 605 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s equally effective throwing and running, as he rushed for 50 or more yards in seven games last season. He needs to continue to develop as a passer, having thrown 10 interceptions last season, but Johnson is one of the most dangerous dual-threat QBs in the country.

Haynes King, Georgia Tech

King is entering his third season as Georgia Tech’s starter after playing his first three seasons at Texas A&M. His passing numbers fell from 2,842 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2023 to 2,114 and 14, respectively, in 2024. But the 6-3, 215-pound King took care of the ball last season (two interceptions) and was effective on designed runs, rushing for 587 yards and 11 touchdowns. He can be explosive on the ground, but King needs to unlock the next level of his passing development.

Darian Mensah, Duke

Mensah was a big transfer portal pickup for Duke, as he passed for 2,723 yards and 22 touchdowns with six interceptions for Tulane last season. The 6-3, 200-pounder throws from a balanced, strong base and has good ball placement, completing 65.9% of his passes. The third-year sophomore plays with lots of poise and control while showing strong mechanics and pocket presence. Scouts will be monitoring how well Mensah handles the step-up in competition from the AAC to the ACC.

Miller Moss, Louisville

Moss transferred to Louisville after spending four seasons at USC. He started nine games in 2024, finishing with 2,555 passing yards and 18 touchdowns to nine interceptions. The 6-1, 205-pounder has below average arm strength, so he relies heavily on anticipation in short and intermediate throws. He’s capable of buying time with his legs and creating out of structure. He steps into a good situation, as Louisville coach Jeff Brohm is one of the best QB developers in the country. Brohm helped Aidan O’Connell and Tyler Shough become NFL draft picks.

Sawyer Robertson, Baylor

Robertson ignited Baylor’s offense in 2024, finishing with the seventh-best QBR in the FBS (82.9). The 6-4, 220-pound Robertson is a decisive passer who understands how to attack different coverage looks. He was especially effective down the stretch, throwing for 17 touchdowns to only four interceptions during the Bears’ six-game win streak to end the regular season. Robertson will aim to build on that run in his second year as a full-time starter.

Other QBs to watch: Ty Simpson (Alabama), Conner Weigman (Houston), Maalik Murphy (Oregon State), Tommy Castellanos (Florida State), Noah Fifita (Arizona), Byrum Brown (USF), Kyron Drones (Virginia Tech), Dante Moore (Oregon), Kaidon Salter (Colorado), Brendan Sorsby (Cincinnati), Jayden Maiava (USC), Luke Altmyer (Illinois), Jalon Daniels (Kansas), Joey Aguilar (Tennessee), Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt), Behren Morton (Texas Tech), Jake Retzlaff (BYU)

Big QB questions for NFL teams

At this point, which team most needs to draft a QB to build around?

Pittsburgh Steelers. Drafting Will Howard in Round 6 this year hardly answered the Steelers’ long-term quarterback questions. The team is set to sign Aaron Rodgers, but he’ll be 42 years old in December. The Steelers currently have eight picks in 2026 (their seven selections plus Dallas’ third-rounder from the George Pickens trade) and could get up to four additional compensatory selections. Expect the Steelers to be aggressive next spring in their search for a franchise quarterback, especially since the 2026 draft will be in Pittsburgh.

Who is a sleeper team to watch at QB?

Los Angeles Rams. The Rams have two first-round picks in 2026 and could get aggressive with a trade up for Matthew Stafford‘s heir apparent. Stafford is entering his age-37 season on a reworked two-year contract, so the Rams have time to identify a signal-caller from what should be a strong 2026 crop. They could draft a passer next year and be afforded the luxury of having him learn behind Stafford for a full season.

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