NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: June 29, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

NHL Offseason Moves & Draft Picks

The NHL offseason is already seeing significant player movement and draft-day surprises. The San Jose Sharks made a notable move, signing newly acquired defenseman Michael Kesselring to a three-year, $13.5 million contract Sharks ink Kesselring. In another defenseman transaction, the St. Louis Blues acquired Brandon Carlo from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a pair of third-round draft picks Blues acquire Carlo. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Sabres secured checking-line forward Beck Malenstyn with a six-year, $17.5 million contract extension, just days before free agency opens Sabres re-sign Malenstyn. Forward Jack Drury also finalized a five-year, $22.5 million deal with the Nashville Predators, four days after being acquired from the Colorado Avalanche Preds sign Drury.

The draft also produced historic moments and intriguing acquisitions. The San Jose Sharks drafted 7-foot-1 defenseman Alexander Karmanov, making him the tallest player ever selected by an NHL team Sharks select Karmanov. The Pittsburgh Penguins made a family-first selection by drafting twins Marcus and Liam Ruck Penguins draft twins. In a move that could reshape defenses, the Carolina Hurricanes acquired the rights to unrestricted free agent defenseman John Carlson from the Anaheim Ducks Canes acquire Carlson.

Trades and RFA Moves

Beyond draft-day activity, teams are actively reshaping their rosters through trades and Restricted Free Agent (RFA) acquisitions. The Vancouver Canucks have acquired forward Brendan Gallagher from the Montreal Canadiens for future considerations, adding a veteran presence to their lineup Gallagher traded to Canucks. The New York Rangers bolstered their scoring depth by landing RFA forward Pavel Dorofeyev from the Vegas Golden Knights, sending multiple first-round picks to Vegas in the process Rangers land Dorofeyev.

Player Health and Future Outlook

Player health remains a significant concern heading into the new season, with some key players facing extended absences. The Carolina Hurricanes are likely to be without leading goal scorer Seth Jarvis for the start of their Stanley Cup defense due to shoulder surgery, which is expected to sideline him for four to six months Jarvis shoulder surgery. defenseman Zach Werenski is a player generating trade speculation, with analysts identifying several teams that could significantly improve their outlook by acquiring the 2026 Norris Trophy candidate from the Columbus Blue Jackets Werenski trade rumors.

Franchise Decisions and Playoff Reflections

Franchise decisions are also being made as teams look to build for the future. The Edmonton Oilers have fired head coach Kris Knoblauch, who guided the team to the Stanley Cup Finals in both the 2024 and 2025 seasons Oilers fire Knoblauch. Meanwhile, reflections on recent playoff performances continue. The long Stanley Cup drought for Canadian teams has now reached 33 years following the Montreal Canadiens' elimination Canada's Cup drought. Despite the difficulties of winning hockey's ultimate prize, the notion of a "Presidents' Trophy curse" is being debated, with many suggesting it's simply the inherent difficulty of winning the championship No Presidents' Trophy curse.