NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: June 15, 2026, 11:44 PM ET

Stanley Cup Champions

The Carolina Hurricanes captured their second Stanley Cup in franchise history with a decisive 3-0 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game, as Taylor Hall and Jackson Blake each recorded their seventh playoff goals and Nikolaj Ehlers added an empty-netter. Captain Jordan Staal made history by becoming the oldest Conn Smythe Trophy winner at age, leading a veteran core that stayed the course through years of playoff disappointments. Goaltenders Frederik Andersen and Brandon Bussi praised each other after sharing the championship, with Andersen starting the series before Bussi took over duties. The championship validated the vision of coach Rod Brind'Amour and general manager Eric Tulsky, who built a contender that will return largely intact next season.

Offseason Outlook

Sportsbooks have installed the Hurricanes as early favorites for the 2026-27 Stanley Cup at +700 odds, ahead of the Colorado Avalanche (+800) and Golden Knights (+850), while the Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, and Tampa Bay Lightning sit at 11-1, 11-1, and 12-1 respectively. The 2026 draft order is now set for the June 26-27 event in Buffalo featuring 224 selections across Rounds 1-7. early power rankings suggest several teams will pursue major offseason moves as they aim to close the gap on Carolina's championship roster.

Coaching Carousel

The Professional Women's Hockey League announced Kim Weiss as the first head coach of its Las Vegas expansion franchise, promoting the former AHL assistant who spent the past two seasons developing talent in the minor leagues. Meanwhile, the NHL opened an investigation into Mike Babcock's September 2023 resignation from the Columbus Blue Jackets before he coached a game, seeking answers about the unusual departure. Golden Knights bench boss John Tortorella left his future undecided after the Final loss, telling reporters he had not yet considered whether to return to Vegas for another season.