NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: June 17, 2026, 11:57 AM ET

Coaching Carousel

Toronto accelerated its front‑office overhaul by appointing former Kings skipper Jim Hiller as head coach, a move that follows his 93‑58‑24 record over three seasons in Los Angeles. Across the West, the Las Vegas Golden Knights announced that John Tortorella will not return after leading the club to a Stanley Cup Final in his brief stint, leaving the organization to search for a long‑term solution.

Mid‑Season Trades

Philadelphia bolstered its roster on Tuesday, acquiring goaltender Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit from Toronto in a deal that adds depth ahead of the offseason. A day later Nashville executed its first transaction under new GM Chris Mac Farland, sending forward Ross Colton to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for two prospects and freeing cap space for future moves.

Playoff Milestones

The league reported that this spring’s Stanley Cup playoffs averaged 1.8 million viewers per game, the highest U.S. audience on record and a testament to the postseason’s growing appeal. In the championship series, Carolina closed out Vegas with a 3‑0 win in Game, giving the Hurricanes a second Cup in two years and prompting goaltender Frederik Andersen and backup Brandon Bussi to raise the trophy together. Captain Jordan Staal, at, became the oldest Conn Smythe winner, underscoring the veteran leadership that drove the Hurricanes’ run.

Offseason Outlook

Early‑season power rankings placed the Hurricanes among the top contenders for 2026‑27, with the Avalanche and Golden Knights close behind, while the Oilers, Panthers and Lightning each posted strong late‑season form. Analysts highlighted free‑agency priorities for the league’s elite clubs, noting that retaining core talent and addressing salary‑cap constraints will be decisive for teams aiming to improve on their playoff performances.

Broadcast Shifts

Canadian viewers will notice a change next season as “Hockey Night in Canada” departs from CBC after a 75‑year run, prompting the league to explore new distribution partners for its flagship programming.

Women’s Hockey Spotlight

The PWHL draft approaches on June 17, with prospects evaluated for their impact on expanding the women’s game, while the Boston Fleet swept the league’s awards ceremony, seeing Aerin Frankel capture both MVP and Goaltender of the Year honors. Las Vegas also named Kim Weiss as the inaugural head coach of its expansion franchise, adding an experienced AHL assistant to guide the club’s inaugural roster.

Future Draft Calendar

The NHL confirmed the 2026 draft will occur June 26‑27 in Buffalo, releasing the full order of 224 selections and setting the stage for clubs to address organizational needs ahead of the 2026‑27 campaign.