NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: June 29, 2026, 8:33 AM ET

NHL Offseason Shakeups and Draft Buzz

The NHL offseason is already delivering significant player movement and draft surprises, setting the stage for a dramatic free agency period. The New York Rangers have bolstered their forward corps by acquiring Pavel Dorofeyev, the Golden Knights' leading scorer last season, in a trade that sent multiple first-round picks to Vegas Rangers land RFA Dorofeyev. Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes are facing a significant blow to their blueline as leading scorer Seth Jarvis is expected to miss four to six months following shoulder surgery, potentially jeopardizing his availability for the start of their Stanley Cup defense Shoulder surgery likely. The St. Louis Blues have also been active, acquiring defenseman Brandon Carlo from the Maple Leafs in exchange for a pair of third-round draft picks Blues acquire Carlo, while the Hurricanes acquired the rights to defenseman John Carlson from the Ducks Canes acquire Carlson rights.

The NHL Entry Draft produced notable selections, including the tallest player ever drafted, 7-foot-1 defenseman Alexander Karmanov, taken by the San Jose Sharks Sharks select 7-1 Karmanov. The Pittsburgh Penguins made a family-first selection,