NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: June 26, 2026, 11:31 AM ET

NHL Transactions & Player News

The Toronto Maple Leafs are widely expected to select Canadian phenom Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick in Friday night's NHL Entry Draft, continuing a trend of highly touted prospects entering the league since 2000. In other roster moves, the Colorado Avalanche continued their offseason shuffle by trading longtime winger Valeri Nichushkin to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday, a move signaling a significant pivot after their disappointing playoff exit earlier this spring. Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers bolstered their physical presence by acquiring Garnet Hathaway from the Philadelphia Flyers, ensuring they retain their tough-guy identity as A.J. Greer is projected to depart in free agency this summer.

Women's Hockey Milestones

In the newly established Professional Women's Hockey League, Olympian Hilary Knight has inked a two-year contract extension with PWHL Detroit, securing her commitment through the 2028-29 season and underscoring her impact on the league's growth since its inception. Adding to the remarkable stories from the PWHL championship, Montreal Victoire captain Marie-Philip Poulin revealed Thursday that she played through a torn ACL and meniscus in her right knee to help lead her team to the title, a display of incredible resilience during the finals.

Contract Signings & Player Development

The Buffalo Sabres have made a significant long-term investment in forward Zach Benson, signing him to a seven-year, $52.5 million contract following his breakout performance in the recent playoffs. This deal reflects the team's confidence in Benson's development and his potential to be a core player for years to come in Buffalo.