HeadlinesBriefing favicon HeadlinesBriefing

NHL Hockey 24 Hours

×
12 articles summarized · Last updated: LATEST

Last updated: June 17, 2026, 11:58 AM ET

Front Office Moves

The Toronto Maple Leafs named Jim Hiller as their new head coach, hiring a bench boss who compiled a 93-58-24 record during his time guiding the Los Angeles Kings. Across the league, the Vegas Golden Knights confirmed that John Tortorella will not return despite steering the team to the Stanley Cup Final in an abbreviated tenure that began with just eight regular-season games remaining. These moves come amid broader organizational shifts, including Mitch Marner's public discussion of mental health struggles during his nine-year Toronto tenure, which may have influenced the franchise's direction.

Broadcasting & Viewership

The NHL cited record-breaking playoff ratings Tuesday, with the 2026 postseason averaging 1.8 million U.S. viewers to become the most-watched in league history. However, a cultural touchstone is ending as "Hockey Night in Canada" concludes its CBC run after nearly 75 years, marking a significant shift in how hockey reaches its Canadian audience.

Trades & Salary Cap Adjustments

Philadelphia bolstered its roster by acquiring goaltender Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit from Toronto in a Tuesday trade, addressing depth concerns in net and on the blue line. Carolina opens as +700 favorites to capture the 2027 Stanley Cup, followed closely by Colorado (+800) and Vegas (+850), while the Avalanche also dealt Ross Colton to Nashville in a move that clears salary cap space for additional maneuvering.

PWHL Draft & Awards

The Professional Women's Hockey League scheduled its 2026 draft for Wednesday, June 17, setting the stage for top prospects to enter the league. On the awards front, Boston Fleet's Aerin Frankel secured both MVP and top goaltender honors, becoming the first player to sweep the league's two most prestigious individual awards.

Early Outlook & Tributes

ESPN's preliminary power rankings offer the first glimpse of next season's contenders while teams navigate an active offseason. The hockey community also mourned former player Kyle Calder this week after his daughter announced the 47-year-old's passing following a brief illness, ending the life of a veteran who played parts of seven NHL seasons.