NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: May 15, 2026, 11:54 PM ET

Coaching Carousel

The Edmonton Oilers fired head coach Kris Knoblauch on Friday, a stunning decision that came despite back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances in 2024 and 2025. Knoblauch had a contract extension that had not yet even begun, making the dismissal even more puzzling for a franchise that reached the championship round in consecutive seasons for the first time in franchise history. Meanwhile, the Vegas Golden Knights were penalized for their postseason media conduct, with the NHL stripping their second-round draft pick and fining coach John Tortorella $100,000 after the team refused to speak to reporters following their series-clinching win over Dallas.

Western Conference Semifinals

Vegas advanced to the Western Conference finals by dispatching Anaheim in six games, with Mitch Marner providing a highlight-reel moment by scoring a between-the-legs goal in the first period of a 5-1 victory. The Golden Knights will now face the Colorado Avalanche in a matchup that features two of the league's most potent offenses. Minnesota enters their series against Colorado missing two key veterans, as defenseman Jonas Brodin and center Joel Eriksson Ek revealed they played through broken bones in their feet during the second-round series. The injuries raise significant questions about the Wild's depth as they attempt to reach their first Conference Final since 2021.

Front Office Moves

The Vancouver Canucks hired Ryan Johnson as their new general manager while announcing that Daniel and Henrik Sedin will serve as co-presidents of hockey operations, bringing the former captains back into the organization in prominent leadership roles. In women's hockey, Manon Rheaume—the first female goalie to play in an NHL game—is taking over as GM of PWHL Detroit, becoming the latest trailblazer to transition from playing to executive duties. The PWHL also announced San Jose as its fourth expansion market, bringing women's professional hockey to the San Francisco Bay Area.

Contract Situations

Star defenseman Quinn Hughes expressed openness to a contract extension with the Minnesota Wild, saying he is "definitely open" to reaching a deal when he becomes eligible to sign on July 1. Hughes is coming off a career season and is considered essential to the Wild's long-term plans. In Chicago, the Blackhawks signed KHL forward Roman Kantserov to a three-year deal following a record-breaking season in Russia's top league, adding another piece to their ongoing rebuild.

Around the Leagues

The Buffalo Sabres face a 3-2 series deficit against Montreal after a dispiriting 6-3 loss in Game, with goaltending concerns resurfacing at the worst possible time. Canada opened the IIHF World Championship with a 5-3 victory over Sweden in Prague, prevailing late in a competitive opener. Taylor Hall—the 2010 first-overall pick and 2018 Hart Trophy winner—has found his game with Carolina, becoming a critical contributor for a Hurricanes team that remains unbeaten in the postseason.