NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: May 13, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

NHL Coaching & Player Personnel Moves

The Toronto Maple Leafs initiated major offseason change by dismissing head coach Craig Berube on Wednesday after just two seasons marked by organizational regression, signaling that the team faces a cascade of critical decisions Meanwhile, the Columbus Blue Jackets secured center Charlie Coyle with a substantial six-year contract extension valued at $36 million, locking down a key piece of their core. In Pittsburgh, GM Kyle Dubas expressed his strong desire to retain veteran center Evgeni Malkin for a 21st season, stating he would "love" to have the star forward back next year.

Stanley Cup Playoff Action & Discipline

The Western Conference semifinal series between the Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild continues with Colorado hosting Game, holding a commanding series lead and demonstrating heightened physical play, having doubled their regular-season hit rate. Despite the intensity, the league levied disciplinary action, as Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson was fined the maximum $5,000 for using the blunt end of his stick against Wild center Michael McCarron. In Vegas, Pavel Dorofeyev delivered an overtime winner, his second goal of the night, securing a critical 3-2 series advantage for the Golden Knights over the Ducks, though Vegas later saw defenseman Brayden McNabb ejected for a hard check into the boards on Ryan Poehling. Elsewhere, the Buffalo Sabres successfully evened their series at 2-2 against Montreal, thanks in part to Zach Benson's power-play goal on his 21st birthday, while Tage Thompson's earlier goal in Game 4 resulted from an unusual bank shot off the boards.

International Play & Prospect Pipeline

Star power is heading overseas as Penguins captain Sidney Crosby will join Team Canada for the upcoming men's world hockey championships, marking his fourth appearance in the tournament. On the prospect front, the narrative surrounding Gavin McKenna, who has progressed from Whitehorse to Medicine Hat and Penn State, suggests he is the expected No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NHL draft. The league continues to track former top pick Taylor Hall, who has reportedly rediscovered his MVP form and is proving essential for the Carolina Hurricanes as they maintain their undefeated start to the postseason.

Off-Ice Developments & Betting Markets

The Women's Professional Hockey League (PWHL announces expansion will welcome two new markets, Las Vegas and Hamilton, Ontario, with a 12th site yet to be determined, expanding the league's footprint. The league's inaugural draft class is notably strong, headlined by five members of the U.S. Olympic gold medal-winning team, including defender Caroline Harvey. In legal matters, defense attorneys for the driver accused in the deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau lost a bid to dismiss charges following a dispute over reported blood alcohol level discrepancies. For bettors major sportsbooks are offering incentives; users can access a Bet MGM promotion offering $1,500 in bonus bets for Wednesday's action across the NBA, MLB, and NHL, while Draft Kings provides $100 in bonus bets instantly after a small initial wager.