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14 articles summarized · Last updated: LATEST

Last updated: June 27, 2026, 11:33 AM ET

NHL Draft & Trades Shake Up Rosters

The NHL draft saw significant player movement Friday, with several teams making bold trades to retool their rosters. The Toronto Maple Leafs selected Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick, confirming pre-draft speculation. In a major move, the Anaheim Ducks traded young center Mason McTavish to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for the 15th and 29th overall picks in the draft. The Buffalo Sabres acquired defenseman Olen Zellweger from the Ducks for prospect Anton Wahlberg and a second-round selection. Meanwhile, the New York Rangers landed forward Pavel Dorofeyev from the Vegas Golden Knights, addressing their need for scoring punch. The Detroit Red Wings also dealt a top prospect, trading goaltender Sebastian Cossa to the Utah Mammoth for the 23rd selection.

Defensive Realignments and Contract Extensions

Several teams bolstered their defensive corps and secured key players with contract extensions. The Colorado Avalanche re-signed veteran defensemen Brett Kulak and Brent Burns, addressing questions about their blue line depth. The Ottawa Senators are set to sign defenseman Jordan Spence to a four-year, $20 million contract, rewarding his contributions during an injury-plagued season. In Los Angeles, the Kings inked defenseman Brandt Clarke to a five-year deal worth $7.4 million annually after a career-best year. Tony DeAngelo is returning to the New York Islanders on a two-year contract reportedly worth $4.5 million per season. The Rangers also made a separate deal, sending forward Brett Berard to the Montreal Canadiens for defenseman William Trudeau. The Utah Mammoth were active, trading winger JJ Peterka to the Boston Bruins.

Injury Concerns and Team Outlooks

Despite the draft day activity, some teams face significant injury concerns heading into next season. The Carolina Hurricanes are likely to be without leading goal scorer Seth Jarvis for the start of their Stanley Cup defense, as he faces a shoulder surgery that will sideline him for four to six months. This absence could impact their ability to replicate their championship success. The details of the injury mean Jarvis will miss crucial early-season games.