The biggest question: what's the status of Olivers Murnieks? Nothing has been made official, but it certainly looks like the Latvian forward will play for Boston College beginning this fall.
Murnieks was selected in the fourth-round of last weekend's NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres. In an article on the Sabres website, the team wrote that "the 6-foot-1 centre is committed to Boston College and expected to start there this fall."
"But we’re excited to see what he does," said Jerry Forton, Buffalo's assistant general manager. "It was a big step for the Boston College staff – who we put a lot of faith in, we’re very close with – to bring him in this fall."
The Sea Dogs have said that Murnieks' home for the 2026-27 season would likely be decided by the NHL team that selected him – and it's looking like Buffalo would prefer him playing NCAA hockey. But we'll see how things play out over the next few weeks.
With uncertainty around Murnieks' future, Saint John made three selections in this year's Import Draft, picking Czech forward Matyas Cancik, Slovakian forward Oliver Ozogany and Finnish defender Vertti Svensk.
Svensk was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the fifth-round of last weekend's NHL Draft. According to Mayor's Manor, he's "under contract in Finland and expects to open the season there."
Meanwhile: Svensk says he was a bit surprised to be taken in the Import Draft. He has a contract back in Finland and expects to start the season there, but "you never know what happens" after that. Also noted he's been invited to Finland's Summer Showcase camp for WJC evaluation. https://t.co/blBwZR6VMv
— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) July 1, 2026
This isn't the first time the Sea Dogs have found themselves in a position like this. We'll also see how this plays out in the coming weeks.
Listed at 6'1" and 168 lbs, Svensk is an offensive defenseman who would be a huge addition to the Saint John blue line.
Speaking of Cancik, here's some video of him in action earlier this season.
The Sea Dogs ended last season with three imports: Murnieks, goaltender Arseni Radkov and defenseman Carl-Otto Magnusson. Radkov was traded while Magnusson's return is unlikely given that he would take up both an import and overage spot.
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