NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: June 29, 2026, 5:31 AM ET

NHL Draft and Transactions Shake Up League Landscape

The NHL draft saw a historic selection as the Sharks drafted 7-foot-1 defenseman Alexander Karmanov making him the tallest player ever drafted. The Penguins also made a unique pick, selecting twins Marcus and Liam Ruck with consecutive selections. In other draft-related moves, the Blues acquired defenseman Brandon Carlo from the Maple Leafs, sending back a pair of third-round picks to bolster their blue line. The Rangers, meanwhile, added forward Pavel Dorofeyev, the Golden Knights' leading scorer last season, in a deal that cost them multiple first-round picks to enhance their offensive firepower. GM report cards released after the draft graded all 32 teams on their selections and trade activity, identifying both winners and losers from the weekend's proceedings.

Stanley Cup Contenders Face Roster Setbacks and Decisions

The Hurricanes, preparing to defend their Stanley Cup title, are facing a significant early-season challenge with leading scorer Seth Jarvis expected to miss four to six months following shoulder surgery derailing his start to the season. Carolina also made a move to secure future defensive talent, acquiring the rights to unrestricted free agent defenseman John Carlson in a trade with the Ducks on Saturday. The Predators moved to solidify their forward group by signing acquired forward Jack Drury to a five-year, $22.5 million contract on Sunday night, four days after bringing him in from the Avalanche. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs are facing a major organizational shift after firing head coach Craig Berube following another significant decision.

Playoff Picture and Future Outlook

While the current playoff picture is intense, with simulations offering predictions for conference finals matchups and individual games, the long-term future of some franchises is also being shaped. The Oilers, surprisingly, have fired Kris Knoblauch, who had led the team to the Stanley Cup Finals in both 2024 and 2025 a stunning move from the team. Canada's Stanley Cup drought has now reached 33 years following the Canadiens' elimination, a result that has sparked debate about the factors contributing to their prolonged absence from championship contention a significant national sports narrative. The notion of a "Presidents' Trophy curse" was also addressed, with analysis suggesting the difficulty lies purely in the inherent challenge of winning the Cup rather than any statistical anomaly a persistent talking point. Looking further ahead, fantasy hockey managers are already eyeing potential additions from the 2026 NHL draft class, with an eye on which top prospects should be prioritized for next season. The 2027 Hall of Fame class is also beginning to come into focus, with the 2026 inductees recently announced setting the stage for future discussions. The Sabres were identified as a significant winner from recent draft and roster moves while the Golden Knights were among the losers.