NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: June 11, 2026, 5:46 PM ET

Personnel Moves & Contracts

The Edmonton Oilers face a potential roster shakeup as defenseman Darnell Nurse has reportedly submitted a short list of preferred trade destinations to management, adding uncertainty to the team's offseason planning. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Kings are counting on veteran coach Peter Laviolette to revitalize their struggling offense after officially hiring the well-traveled bench boss. In Colorado, Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog captured two major honors on Tuesday, winning both the Mark Messier Leadership Award and Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for his comeback season. The Minnesota Wild secured their own future by locking up forward Michael McCarron with a six-year, $20M contract extension, preventing the pending free agent from hitting the open market after his productive post-trade performance.

Coaching Carousel & PWHL Expansion

Colorado's decision to retain head coach Jared Bednar and his entire staff for the 2026-27 season provided stability amid speculation about potential changes following their early playoff exit. The professional women's game saw significant movement as Seattle Torrent named Christine Bumstead as their second head coach in franchise history, while former NHL player Pascal Rheaume took the reins with the Toronto Sceptres, marking the second Rheaume family addition to the PWHL this spring. Boston's continued investment in their roster materialized through the re-signing of Susanna Tapani, keeping a key forward in the fold as the league enters its next expansion phase. These moves reflect the growing professional infrastructure across both the NHL and PWHL as organizations seek experienced leadership.

Stanley Cup Final Game 5 Preview

Thursday's pivotal Game 5 matchup between the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights features Brandon Bussi projected to start in net for Carolina after his strong playoff performances, while Vegas looks to adjust their approach following their first multi-goal defeat of the series. The Hurricanes evened the championship series with a dramatic 5-3 victory in Game, highlighted by Jordan Staal's game-winning goal scored while lying on the ice, his second tally of the contest. Sports Line's projection model favors Carolina in their Game 5 picks, citing momentum shifts and goaltending concerns for the Golden Knights. Betting markets reflect this uncertainty, with parlay opportunities emerging around Carolina's resurgence and Vegas' potential goaltending issues. Both teams have until Thursday to implement adjustments as the series transitions to a best-of-three format with home-ice advantage favoring the Hurricanes.

Undrafted Talent Impact

An overlooked storyline in this year's Stanley Cup Final involves the significant presence of undrafted players, with nearly 15% of NHL roster spots filled by such talent during the 2025-26 season. Remarkably, six undrafted players currently feature across both the Hurricanes and Golden Knights rosters, demonstrating how organizations continue to find value beyond traditional draft selections. This trend underscores the evolving nature of player development and roster construction, where college free agents and European signings often become difference-makers in crucial playoff moments. The success of these players serves as a reminder that talent evaluation extends well beyond seven rounds of drafting.