2025 NHL storylines include Panthers, Ovechkin and Olympic hockey
The 2025-26 NHL season gets under way on Oct. 7. Sam Cardona-Norberg shares some key storylines.
Los Angeles Kings forward Jeff Malott made an NHL opening-night roster for the first time on Oct. 7.
And following in his family footsteps, he threw some punches.
Malott, 29, is the brother of UFC fighter Mike Malott, who has a 12-2-1 record.
Jeff Malott signed as an undrafted free agent after leaving Cornell and played in the minors with the Winnipeg Jets organization. Signing with the Kings in 2024, he finally got an extended NHL opportunity last season with a March call-up and a trip to the playoffs. He made the Kings 2025-26 roster after a strong preseason.
Which leads us to Tuesday night’s season opener.
Malott jumped in and dropped his gloves with Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson, who had crushed Los Angeles’ Warren Foegele with a clean hard open-ice hit.
Malott got in some good licks. He received two minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct and five for fighting.
Runs in the family.
