NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: June 28, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

NHL Draft & GM Moves

The NHL draft concluded with general managers making significant moves, with Sharks selecting 7-foot-1 defenseman Alexander Karmanov, the tallest player ever drafted. Reports from ESPN's draft tracker provided analysis on every pick from No. 1 to, while ESPN's GM report cards assessed which teams added the most value. The trade season is already heating up, with ESPN's analysis of draft week swaps offering grades for every GM involved in the major deals. Fantasy hockey managers are also with ESPN identifying top 2026 draft picks to target for next season.

Coaching Carousel & Player Reputations

The coaching carousel is in full swing, with the Oilers firing Kris Knoblauch, who guided the team to consecutive Cup Finals in 2024 and 2025. Similarly, the Maple Leafs dismissed Craig Berube, facing another critical offseason decision. In player news, Mitch Marner has rewritten his reputation amidst the second round of playoff action.

Stanley Cup Playoff Projections & Trends

As the conference finals approach, computer simulations offer picks and predictions for the remaining matchups. CBS Sports simulations provided Game 1 picks for the Golden Knights vs. Avs series and Game 2 picks for the same matchup in their Game 2 analysis. For the Hurricanes vs. Canadiens series, CBS Sports simulations predicted Game 5 outcomes. The long-standing Canadian Stanley Cup drought has now reached 33 years following the Canadiens' elimination. The notion of a "Presidents' Trophy curse" is being debated, with CBS Sports arguing it's simply difficult to win the Cup.

Player & Team Standings

In the wake of playoff eliminations and draft selections, Sabres emerged as winners, while the Golden Knights were noted as losers. Elsewhere, CBS Sports provided Game 7 picks for a Canadiens vs. Sabres matchup, indicating the intensity of earlier playoff rounds.