NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: June 17, 2026, 2:49 PM ET

Carolina's Championship Run

The Carolina Hurricanes captured their second title after a 3-0 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game, ending a 20-year drought for the franchise. Captain Jordan Staal secured the Conn Smythe Trophy at age, becoming the oldest player to ever win the award. The championship was a result of a strategic alliance between coach Rod Brind'Amour and GM Eric Tulsky, whose patience paid off after years of playoff disappointments staying the course. On the ice, the victory was a collective effort, as goaltenders Frederik Andersen and Brandon Bussi shared the workload to secure the win, while Jaccob Slavin made history as only the second American to win both a gold medal and a Stanley Cup in the same season.

League Outlook and Betting Markets

Following their victory, the Hurricanes remain favorites to win the 2026-27 title with +700 odds, leading a pack that includes the Colorado Avalanche (+800) and Vegas Golden Knights (+850). Other contenders like the Oilers and Panthers sit at 11-1, while the Lightning trail at 12-1 according to betting markets. This dominance is reflected in early power rankings as teams begin to map out their offseason moves. Analysts are now forecasting expectations for the 2026-27 campaign, focusing on free agency plans to maintain this competitive edge.

Roster Moves and Front Office Shifts

The Toronto Maple Leafs are undergoing a significant overhaul, having hired Jim Hiller as their new head coach following his 93-58-24 record with the Kings. As part of a larger roster reshuffle, Toronto traded goaltender Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit to the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Colorado Avalanche dealt forward Ross Colton to the Nashville Predators to create cap space, marking the first transaction for Predators GM Chris Mac Farland with his new club. In a separate administrative matter, the NHL is investigating Mike Babcock's resignation from the Columbus Blue Jackets, which occurred in September 2023 before he ever coached a single game.

PWHL Expansion and Awards

The Professional Women's Hockey League is expanding its footprint, naming Kim Weiss as head coach for the new Las Vegas club after her two-season stint as an assistant in the AHL. The league's talent pool continues to grow ahead of the June 17 draft, where teams will vie for top prospects. Recent accolades celebrated the Boston Fleet, who dominated the league's awards night, with Aerin Frankel taking home both the Billie Jean King MVP trophy and the goalie of the year honor.

Media and League Trends

The NHL is seeing a surge in popularity, reporting that the spring playoffs were the most-watched on record in the U.S. with an average of 1.8 million viewers. However, the league's media landscape in Canada is shifting as "Hockey Night in Canada" will not return to CBC next season, ending a nearly 75-year tenure on the public broadcaster. On a personal note, Vegas star Mitch Marner opened up about mental health, describing "dark moments" he experienced during his nine seasons in Toronto. The hockey community also mourned the loss of former player Kyle Calder, who died Monday at age 47 following a brief illness.

Draft and Coaching Changes

The league is preparing for the June 26-27 draft in Buffalo, where 32 teams will select players across 224 total picks. Amidst these preparations, the Golden Knights are facing a leadership change as John Tortorella will not return as head coach despite guiding the team to the Stanley Cup Final. While Tortorella has left the door open for a potential return to Vegas, the team must now navigate the offseason without the coach who led them during the final eight games of the regular season and the subsequent playoff run as Vegas fought to keep their hopes alive.