NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: June 18, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

Front Office Shakeups and Coaching Changes

The coaching carousel continues to spin as the Vegas Golden Knights promoted Ryan Craig to head coach following the departure of John Tortorella, who will not return to the bench despite leading the club to a Stanley Cup Final appearance. The Toronto Maple Leafs are also overhauling their leadership by hiring Jim Hiller, who brings a 93-58-24 career record from his tenure with the Los Angeles Kings. Meanwhile, the Washington Capitals secured long-term stability by signing Spencer Carbery to a multiyear contract extension, ensuring he remains at the helm as the team looks to build on its recent progress.

League Investigations and Personnel Developments

The NHL has officially cleared Mike Babcock to coach following a formal review into his abrupt resignation from the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023. This league-led investigation into the incident concluded after a thorough look at the events surrounding his departure before he could coach a single game for the franchise. In other personnel news, the Nashville Predators hired Jamie Langenbrunner as a special assistant to general manager Chris Mac Farland, a move intended to bolster the team's front office expertise. Sadly, the hockey community is mourning the passing of Kyle Calder, the former NHL player who died at age 47 following a brief illness.

Trades and Draft Maneuvers

The Philadelphia Flyers aggressively reloaded their roster by acquiring goaltender Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit from the Maple Leafs. Nashville also made waves in the trade market to acquire Ross Colton from the Colorado Avalanche, a move facilitated by the Predators' new general manager to create immediate cap flexibility. Draft activity is heating up as well, with the San Jose Sharks swapping draft assets to secure the 20th pick from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for defenseman Michael Kesselring and the 27th pick. Clubs continue to scout prospect pipelines in preparation for upcoming selection meetings, with analysts focusing on specific position needs to determine how each team might navigate the next cycle of contention.

PWHL Milestones and Expansion

The Professional Women’s Hockey League is experiencing a surge in momentum, highlighted by Boston Fleet’s award dominance at Tuesday’s ceremony, where Aerin Frankel took home the Billie Jean King MVP trophy and goalie of the year honors. The league is expanding its footprint, naming Kim Weiss head coach for its new Las Vegas franchise, marking a significant step in the organization's growth. During the recent entry draft, the Vancouver Goldeneyes