NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: June 12, 2026, 5:57 AM ET

Coaching Carousel & Front Office Moves

The Edmonton Oilers are closing in on a deal to hire Mike Babcock as head coach, with sources indicating the veteran bench boss could finalize his return to the NHL within days. Babcock, who captured the Stanley Cup with Detroit in 2008 and ranks 12th all-time in career victories, would inherit a roster seeking direction after years of playoff disappointment. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Kings confirmed that Peter Laviolette is joining their coaching staff specifically to revitalize an offense that ranked in the bottom third of the league last season. In Colorado, the Avalanche announced that Jared Bednar and his entire staff will return for the 2026-27 campaign, providing continuity after reaching the Western Conference Finals. The Detroit Red Wings face uncertainty as captain Dylan Larkin has submitted a trade list containing three preferred destinations, while defenseman Darnell Nurse has provided similar trade parameters to Edmonton management as both veterans seek fresh opportunities.

Stanley Cup Final Drama

Carolina's Jordan Staal scored a dramatic winner while lying on his stomach to seal a 5-3 victory over Vegas, evening the Stanley Cup Final at two wins apiece and shifting home-ice advantage to the Hurricanes for Game. The 37-year-old captain's second goal of the game came during a chaotic sequence in front of the net, demonstrating the physical sacrifices that have defined this series. With the championship now a best-of-three, Vegas outlined a four-point plan focusing on defensive zone coverage and secondary scoring after suffering their first multi-goal defeat of the series. Brandon Bussi emerged as the likely starter for Carolina in Game 5 after posting a .923 save percentage through the first four contests, including a crucial 34-save performance in Game 4 that kept the Hurricanes alive.

Individual Excellence Recognized

Tampa Bay's Nikita Kucherov captured his second Hart Trophy as NHL MVP, edging out fellow superstars Connor McDavid and Nathan Mac Kinnon in a vote that rewarded his 114-point regular season and Conn Smythe Trophy performance during the Lightning's playoff run. The Russian winger's return from injury to lead his team to the Eastern Conference Finals proved decisive in the voting, marking the first time since 2019 that neither McDavid nor Mac Kinnon claimed the award. Gabriel Landeskog earned dual recognition on Tuesday, winning both the Mark Messier Leadership Award and the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for his comeback season following knee surgery. The Avalanche captain's resilience after missing most of two seasons resonated with voters, particularly given his mentorship of Colorado's young core throughout their playoff push.

Player Contracts & Movement

The Minnesota Wild secured forward Michael McCarron's future with a six-year, $20 million extension that removes one of the more productive unrestricted free agents from this summer's market. McCarron arrived from Montreal in a March trade and contributed 12 points in 21 games while providing the grit that Minnesota's front office targeted. The contract averages $3.33 million annually and includes significant signing bonuses, reflecting the premium placed on physical forwards in today's game. Across the league, teams are actively reshaping their rosters as evidenced by the multiple trade requests circulating, with veteran players leveraging their no-movement clauses to control their destinations.

League Business & Development

Dallas Stars ownership moved closer to a Plano arena after city council approved $700 million in public funding toward what would become a $1 billion development at The Shops of Willow Bend. The proposed facility would house practice facilities, team offices, and retail space while potentially serving as a hub for youth hockey programs in North Texas. The project joins a growing list of NHL arena developments that blend public-private partnerships with mixed-use commercial ventures. Meanwhile, the next generation of prospects descended on Buffalo for the NHL scouting combine, where teams evaluated draft-eligible players through rigorous physical testing and interview sessions that often determine first-round selections.

Women's Hockey Expansion

The Professional Women's Hockey League continued its rapid expansion with multiple coaching hires and roster moves. Christine Bumstead was named head coach of the Seattle Torrent, becoming just the second person to hold that position in franchise history as the PWHL builds toward its second season. Former NHL player Pascal Rheaume joined the Toronto Sceptres as head coach, marking the second member of his family to join the league this spring after his sister-in-law already established herself as a player. Boston's Susanna Tapani re-signed with the Fleet while Seattle locked up forward Julia Gosling, signaling teams are moving quickly to secure core players before unrestricted free agency opens.

Undrafted Talent Pipeline

Nearly 15% of NHL players during the 2025-26 season entered the league as undrafted free agents, highlighting how teams increasingly value professional tryouts and AHL development over draft pedigree. Six of these undrafted players currently skate in the Stanley Cup Final, including several who signed professional contracts after attending development camps on amateur tryout agreements. This trend reflects both the parity in talent evaluation and the emphasis on organizational development systems that can identify players overlooked by traditional scouting methods. Teams like Carolina and Vegas have built significant portions of their championship cores around players initially signed as free agents rather than drafted in the first round.