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NHL Hockey 24 Hours

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9 articles summarized · Last updated: LATEST

Last updated: September 24, 2026, 6:15 AM ET

NHL Hockey

Oilers & Coaching Controversy

The hockey world remains divided over Edmonton hiring Mike Babcock as head coach, with Mark Messier saying he is "horrified" by the move given the abuse allegations against Babcock. The Hall of Famer, who won a Stanley Cup with the Oilers, questioned the message the franchise is sending to its players and the league. Meanwhile, the team's new bench boss has yet to address the controversy publicly, leaving the organization to face mounting scrutiny.

Canadiens & Sabres

The NHL lost a former owner this week as George Gillett Jr. passed away at, having guided the Montreal Canadiens through a successful era that included a Stanley Cup appearance. Elsewhere, the Buffalo Sabres face an early-season hurdle as defenseman Mattias Samuelsson is listed week to week with a lower-body injury, putting his availability for opening night in serious doubt.

Season Predictions & Rankings

As the league prepares for the 2026-27 campaign, ESPN's panel released bold predictions for all 32 teams, including a blockbuster trade deadline deal for the Sabres and Dylan Larkin staying put in Detroit despite trade rumors. The network also ranked all 32 clubs into six Stanley Cup contender tiers, with the top tier headlined by a pair of Western Conference powerhouses and last season's runner-up.

Fantasy Hockey

For fantasy managers, Greg Wyshynski identified his top 10 targets for every draft, including a rookie defenseman he says could be a steal in the middle rounds. He also highlighted several bounce-back candidates, while the fantasy bounce-back list features a star winger who missed 40 games last season but is fully healthy and expected to return to point-per-game form.

Ducks & Wild

The Anaheim Ducks named Mikael Granlund as the 10th captain in franchise history, rewarding the veteran forward who posted 41 points in his first full season with the team. In Minnesota, the Wild locked up general manager Bill Guerin with a multiyear extension, keeping the architect of their recent playoff runs in place through the heart of the team's contention window.