NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: April 17, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

NHL Playoff Seeding & Roster Moves

The final day of the regular season saw the Anaheim Ducks secure the No. 3 seed in the Pacific Division after defeating the Nashville Predators 5-4 in a tightly contested affair, setting the stage for the final playoff bracket configuration with six games remaining to finalize seeding and draft lottery order across the league. In personnel news, the San Jose Sharks signed Hobey Baker Award finalist Eric Pohlkamp to a two-year, entry-level contract, while Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov confirmed he is healthy enough to represent Finland in the upcoming World Championship after missing the entire NHL season due to injury recovery.

Team Stability & Future Speculation

Coaching stability appears to be settling in Columbus as Rick Bowness agreed to return behind the bench for the Blue Jackets next season, offering continuity as the team rebuilds. Meanwhile, speculation continues around high-profile players, with Toronto’s Auston Matthews remaining noncommittal about his long-term future, stating he "can't predict the future" when pressed about remaining with the Maple Leafs next season. For the Blackhawks, General Manager reportedly views securing Connor Bedard’s contract as an "important" priority, though it is deemed unlikely that the star player’s impending restricted free agency status will become a protracted negotiation saga.

Playoff Preparation & Team Weaknesses

As teams finalize their postseason entries, every contender faces inherent flaws that opponents will attempt to exploit, providing a roadmap for potential elimination in the early rounds of the Stanley Cup bracket. For teams like the Minnesota Wild, immediate tactical decisions remain under wraps, as the coaching staff is keeping secret whether Filip Gustavsson or Jesper Wallstedt will receive the Game 1 starting nod in goal against the Dallas Stars in their opening series.