NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: June 18, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

Front Office Shifts and Coaching Changes

The league’s coaching carousel is spinning rapidly, beginning with the Golden Knights promoting Ryan Craig from their AHL affiliate to lead the NHL bench, a move that follows the decision to move on from John Tortorella after he guided the team to the Stanley Cup Final. In Toronto, the Maple Leafs hired Jim Hiller as their new head coach, bringing in a veteran who recorded a 93-58-24 record over parts of three seasons with the Kings as part of a significant front-office overhaul. Meanwhile, the Nashville Predators are adding administrative depth by hiring Jamie Langenbrunner as a special assistant to new general manager Chris Mac Farland. The league is also looking into the past, as the NHL initiated a formal review regarding the circumstances surrounding Mike Babcock’s sudden resignation from the Columbus Blue Jackets in September 2023.

Trade Market and Roster Management

General managers are aggressively reshaping rosters ahead of the upcoming draft, highlighted by the Sabres landing the 20th pick in a transaction that sent defenseman Michael Kesselring and the 27th overall selection to the San Jose Sharks. The Philadelphia Flyers also bolstered their depth by acquiring goaltender Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit from the Maple Leafs in a Tuesday deal. In a separate move aimed at clearing crucial salary cap space, the Colorado Avalanche sent forward Ross Colton to the Nashville Predators in exchange for two draft assets. Amid these changes, Vegas Golden Knights star Mitch Marner opened up about his time in Toronto, noting the mental health challenges and dark moments he experienced during his nine-season tenure with the original six franchise.

Professional Women’s Hockey League Developments

The PWHL is undergoing a significant expansion of its coaching and talent ranks, headlined by Kim Weiss taking the helm as the first head coach of the new Las Vegas expansion club following her two-year stint as an assistant in the AHL. The league’s future talent pool was showcased during the entry draft, which featured high-profile prospects including defenseman Caroline Harvey, who was selected first overall by the Vancouver Goldeneyes. The Boston Fleet celebrated a dominant season at the league’s awards ceremony, where goaltender Aerin Frankel secured both the Billie Jean King MVP trophy and the goaltender of the year honors.

League Growth and Championship Legacy

The Carolina Hurricanes remain the team to beat in the eyes of oddsmakers, opening as +700 favorites to secure the 2026-27 Stanley Cup, narrowly edging out the Colorado Avalanche at +800 and the Vegas Golden Knights at +850. This optimism reflects the successful long-term strategy employed by coach Rod Brind’Amour and GM Eric Tulsky, who cultivated a resilient roster that captured its first title in 20 years. That championship run propelled Jaccob Slavin into history as only the second American player to win an Olympic gold medal and the Stanley Cup in the same season. Broadly, the league is seeing record-breaking engagement levels, with the most recent playoffs averaging 1.8 million viewers per game, though the broadcasting landscape is shifting as Hockey Night in Canada exits the CBC after a nearly 75-year partnership.

Draft Prospects and Off-Ice News

Preparations are underway for the upcoming draft in Buffalo, where teams are finalizing their boards for the June 26 and 27 event. While clubs finalize their scouting reports, the hockey community is mourning the passing of Kyle Calder, the former NHL player who died Monday at age 47 following a brief illness. Analysts are already evaluating the competitive landscape for the upcoming fall season, while bettors continue to monitor shifting futures markets as the Hurricanes, Avalanche, and Golden Knights maintain their status as the top contenders for the next title.