NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: June 10, 2026, 8:44 PM ET

Stanley Cup Final Update

Carolina's 5-3 victory over Vegas on Tuesday evened the series at two games apiece and shifted momentum dramatically in the Eastern Conference champions' favor. Jordan Staal scored the decisive goal while stretched on his stomach in the third period, capping a two-goal performance that showcased his playoff experience. Sports Line analyst Scott Erskine identifies Pavel Dorofeyev as among the best bets for Game, as the Hurricanes host the Golden Knights on Thursday in Raleigh with the series now a best-of-three. Despite the Game 4 loss, Vegas remains slight favorites to capture the Stanley Cup at 11-10 odds, while Carolina sits at 6-5 as they aim to become the first team since 2020 to win the title after trailing 2-0.

PWHL Expansion & Coaching Moves

The Professional Women's Hockey League continued its rapid expansion with Susanna Tapani re-signing with Boston and Seattle securing forward Julia Gosling, while Pascal Rheaume was named head coach of the Toronto Sceptres on Wednesday. Rheaume joins the league alongside his family connection, adding to the PWHL's growing profile as it builds toward its second season. These moves come as the league adds new franchises and locks up talent ahead of what executives expect to be increased competition for roster spots.

Awards & Recognition

Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog captured two prestigious honors on Tuesday, winning both the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award and the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. The 31-year-old forward overcame significant injury challenges to return to form this season, demonstrating the resilience that earned him the Masterton recognition. His leadership award acknowledges his role guiding Colorado through a rebuilding phase while maintaining veteran influence in the locker room.

Player Movement & Trade Rumors

Detroit's offseason uncertainty grew as captain Dylan Larkin submitted a three-team trade list to the Red Wings, signaling his desire for a change of scenery after 10 seasons in Hockeytown. The pending unrestricted free agent's request adds to the intrigue around Detroit's plans for their core. Meanwhile, Minnesota removed Michael McCarron from the market with a six-year, $20 million contract extension, securing the forward who arrived via midseason trade and contributed 17 points in 23 games during the regular season. In Edmonton, the Oilers are closing in on Mike Babcock to become their next head coach, though the NHLPA demands a full investigation into his 2023 Columbus departure before any hiring can be finalized.

Business & Development

Dallas took a significant step toward relocating to Plano as the city council approved $700 million in public funding for a $1 billion development project at The Shops of Willow Bend. The massive public investment represents one of the largest arena subsidies in recent memory and signals strong municipal support for bringing NHL hockey to the affluent Dallas suburb. Meanwhile, Buffalo hosted the next generation of prospects at the NHL scouting combine, where teams evaluated draft-eligible players through rigorous testing and interviews ahead of next month's entry draft.

Undrafted Talent Impact

An emerging trend in player development reached prominence in this year's Final, with nearly 15% of NHL players in 2025-26 going undrafted and six currently competing for the Stanley Cup. This statistic highlights how teams increasingly value character, work ethic, and late-blooming talent over traditional draft pedigree. Organizations like Carolina and Vegas have built playoff-contending rosters that include these overlooked players, proving that development paths outside the draft system can produce championship-caliber contributors. The success of undrafted players in high-stakes situations reinforces the importance of organizational depth and player evaluation systems that extend beyond draft weekend.