NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: June 26, 2026, 5:31 AM ET

Here is a news briefing on recent NHL and PWHL activity:

NHL Roster Moves & Signings

The Colorado Avalanche continued to reshape their roster Thursday by trading longtime winger Valeri Nichushkin to the Columbus Blue Jackets in a significant deal, following their playoff disappointment. In Buffalo, the Sabres have signed forward Zach Benson to a seven-year, $52.5 million contract following his breakout playoff performance, securing a key piece of their future. Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers bolstered their physical presence by acquiring Garnet Hathaway from the Philadelphia Flyers in a trade designed to maintain their grit, anticipating potential departures in free agency.

PWHL Stars Commit to Detroit

Five-time Olympian Hilary Knight has signed a two-year contract extension with PWHL Detroit, keeping her with the expansion team through the 2028-29 season. In a remarkable display of determination, Montreal Victoire captain Marie-Philip Poulin revealed Thursday that she played through a torn ACL and a torn meniscus in her right knee during the team's championship run leading to their historic PWHL title.

NHL Draft Buzz

With the NHL Entry Draft first round set for Friday, speculation continues to swirl around potential picks. While the top two selections appear to be largely decided, the final projections offer insights into the remaining first-round possibilities, as teams prepare to make their selections.