NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: June 10, 2026, 11:58 AM ET

Coaching Moves & Front Office

Pascal Rheaume landed the Toronto Sceptres coaching job on Wednesday, becoming the second member of his family to join the Professional Women's Hockey League this spring. The former NHL forward transitions to the women's game as the PWHL continues expanding its coaching ranks. Meanwhile, Edmonton's pursuit of Mike Babcock nears completion despite the NHLPA expecting a full investigation into his brief 2023 Columbus tenure before any hiring can proceed. The 63-year-old coach, who captured the 2008 Stanley Cup with Detroit and ranks 12th all-time in NHL victories, represents a significant addition for the Oilers if the investigation clears him. In Los Angeles, the Kings turned to veteran coach Peter Laviolette hoping to provide a quick fix to their playoff struggles, though questions linger about his long-term fit with the organization.

Stanley Cup Final Drama

The Stanley Cup Final delivered chaos Tuesday as the Carolina Hurricanes evened the series with a 5-3 victory over Vegas, highlighted by Jordan Staal's improbable winner scored while stretched on his stomach at 6:23 of the third period. Despite the loss, the Golden Knights remain favored to capture the championship with their 2-1 series lead intact. Vegas forward Mitch Marner made history by recording the fastest hat trick in Stanley Cup Final history, completing the feat in just 7:33 during the first period. Defenseman Brayden McNabb's return from facial injuries earned praise from teammates after playing through significant pain with a cage on his helmet. John Tortorella's coaching impact transformed Vegas's playoff fortunes after taking over with just eight games remaining in the regular season, pressing all the right buttons during their championship run.

Contract Extensions & Trade Requests

The Minnesota Wild locked up forward Michael McCarron to a six-year, $20 million contract, removing an impending free agent from the market after his productive post-trade deadline performance. Detroit captain Dylan Larkin submitted a trade request by providing a three-team list of desired destinations, potentially reshaping the Red Wings' offseason plans. In women's hockey, Hilary Knight headed to Detroit as part of a sign-and-trade deal involving one of the sport's most recognized stars joining the PWHL's expansion franchise.

Individual Honors & Recognition

Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog captured two major awards Tuesday, winning both the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award and the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for his perseverance and dedication to the game. Connor McDavid tied Wayne Gretzky by securing his fifth Ted Lindsay Award as the NHL's most outstanding player voted by his peers. Tampa Bay's Andrei Vasilevskiy claimed his second Vezina Trophy, reaffirming his status as the league's premier goaltender after another stellar season between the pipes.

Team Developments & Future Outlook

Dallas took a significant step toward relocating to Plano after the city council approved $700 million in public funding for what amounts to roughly a $1 billion development project at The Shops of Willow Bend. The NHL scouting combine brought together prospects in Buffalo for interviews and testing, offering insights into the next wave of talent entering the league. Nearly 15% of NHL players in the 2025-26 season went undrafted initially, including six contributors currently playing in the Stanley Cup Final, underscoring the league's emphasis on development over draft position. Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka expressed confidence that captain Auston Matthews remains committed to Toronto despite ongoing speculation about his future with the organization.