NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: June 18, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

Championships and League Milestones

The Carolina Hurricanes hoisted the Stanley Cup this week, marking their first championship victory in two decades under the calculated leadership of head coach Rod Brind'Amour and GM Eric Tulsky. This success comes as the league reaches new heights in popularity, with the NHL reporting that the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs set a viewership record, averaging 1.8 million viewers across the United States. to the next cycle, the Hurricanes are early favorites at +700 to defend their title in 2027, narrowly edging out the Colorado Avalanche at +800 and the Vegas Golden Knights at +850.

Coaching Carousel and Front Office Shifts

The coaching landscape saw significant movement as the Maple Leafs hired Jim Hiller to lead their bench following his tenure with the Kings, where he maintained a 93-58-24 record. Meanwhile, in Washington, the Capitals signed Spencer Carbery to a multiyear contract extension on Thursday, securing the bench boss for the foreseeable future. The Vegas Golden Knights navigated a turbulent week by promoting Ryan Craig to head coach after parting ways with John Tortorella just eight games after his hiring. Amid these changes, the NHL cleared Mike Babcock to return to coaching duties following an investigation into his 2023 stint with the Blue Jackets, reportedly drawing interest from the Edmonton Oilers.

Roster Moves and Prospects

The trade market heated up as the Flyers acquired goaltender Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit from Toronto on Tuesday, while the Predators hired Jamie Langenbrunner as a special assistant to general manager Chris Mac Farland. Nashville also acquired forward Ross Colton from Colorado in a move designed to reconfigure their roster and manage salary cap space. In a significant draft-related transaction, the Sabres sent Michael Kesselring to the Sharks in exchange for the 20th overall pick, while the Sharks retain their position at No. 2 overall for next week's selection process. Clubs are currently evaluating their prospect pipeline needs based on their specific contention windows, preparing for the upcoming draft event.

Retirements and Memorials

The hockey community mourned the loss of former NHL player Kyle Calder, who passed away Monday at age 47 following a brief illness. On the ice, long-time veteran Pierre-Edouard Bellemare announced his retirement at, concluding a career that featured his first NHL appearance at age 29 and a debut at the Olympic Games. The Boston Bruins honored their franchise history by announcing they will retire Patrice Bergeron’s No. 37 during a ceremony scheduled for next season. Meanwhile, Vegas star Mitch Marner opened up about the mental health struggles he endured during his nine-season tenure in Toronto, describing the period as featuring dark moments.

Women’s Hockey and Broadcasting Changes

The Professional Women’s Hockey League concluded its season with the Boston Fleet dominating the awards, highlighted by goaltender Aerin Frankel earning both the Billie Jean King MVP trophy and goaltender of the year honors. The league continued its growth as the Vancouver Goldeneyes selected defenseman Caroline Harvey with the first overall pick in the 2026 entry draft held Wednesday. In a major shift for Canadian sports media, Hockey Night in Canada will not return to CBC next season, ending a nearly 75-year tradition on the public broadcaster.

Injury Reports and Team Identity

The Anaheim Ducks received difficult news regarding forward Troy Terry, who faces a 5-6 month recovery following surgery to address a hip impingement and labral tear. As teams prepare for the offseason, the Vegas Golden Knights continue to polarize fans, recently topping a public poll as the league’s most prominent "villain" franchise despite their consistent success. These developments coincide with the 2026 PWHL draft preparations and general league-wide way-too-early power rankings, which provide a baseline for organizational expectations heading into the fall.