NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: June 26, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

NHL Offseason Moves and Draft Preparations

The NHL offseason saw significant defensive movement Friday, with the Colorado Avalanche re-signing veteran defensemen Brett Kulak and Brent Burns to bolster their blue line. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Sabres acquired promising young defenseman Olen Zellweger from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for forward prospect Anton Wahlberg and a second-round pick in the upcoming NHL Draft in a notable trade acquisition. The Ottawa Senators also addressed their defensive corps, agreeing to terms on a four-year, $20 million contract for Jordan Spence, who stepped up significantly during injury-plagued periods last season securing his long-term future. The New York Islanders brought back Tony DeAngelo on a two-year deal reportedly worth $4.5 million annually, adding offensive punch from the blueline in a significant re-signing.

Further roster adjustments continued as the New York Rangers began their critical offseason by trading forward Brett Berard to the Montreal Canadiens for defenseman William Trudeau marking their first player transaction. In a move that signals a significant roster shakeup, the Colorado Avalanche also sent longtime winger Valeri Nichushkin to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday continuing their post-playoff revamp.

The focus also turned to the upcoming NHL Draft, with the consensus pointing towards Gavin McKenna being selected with the No. 1 overall pick by the Toronto Maple Leafs according to widespread expectation. In women's professional hockey, Olympian Hilary Knight has committed to PWHL Detroit for two more seasons, extending her contract through the 2028-29 campaign following her inaugural season.