NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: June 23, 2026, 8:31 PM ET

NHL Player Movement & Draft Activity

The NHL draft is fast approaching, and teams have been busy retooling their rosters. The Washington Capitals acquired veteran winger Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues in a deal that sent Connor McMichael, Milton Gastrin, and the No. 16 overall pick to St. Louis. Meanwhile, the Ottawa Senators landed winger William Eklund and prospects Kasper Halttunen and Brandon Svoboda from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for the No. 9 selection. The New Jersey Devils also made a significant move, trading the rights to defenseman Simon Nemec and winger Maxim Tsyplakov to the Calgary Flames for two first-round picks and a second-rounder. In other player news, the PWHL champion Montreal Victoire have signed Olympian Emma Maltais to a two-year contract, bolstering their lineup with another Canadian star.

Tkachuk Family Reunion & Hall of Fame

A seismic shift occurred in the NHL landscape with the Panthers acquiring Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators in a blockbuster trade that reunites him with his brother, Matthew. Sources confirmed the deal Sunday, sending a host of draft picks to Ottawa and allowing the wingers to play together for the first time on a two-time Stanley Cup contender. Brady Tkachuk himself stated that playing with his brother wasn't the primary motivation for the move, but he expressed excitement about the reunion, calling it "unbelievable." Adding to the family's remarkable week, Keith Tkachuk was elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday, less than 24 hours after his sons became teammates.

Coaching Carousel & Front Office Moves

The coaching landscape saw significant activity as well, with the Edmonton Oilers officially naming Mike Babcock as their next head coach. While NHL commissioner Gary Bettman stated there was no basis to prevent the hire, he expects Babcock to maintain a "certain level of decorum" following past controversies. The Utah Mammoth have also bolstered their coaching staff, signing coach André Tourigny and assistant Blaine Forsythe to multiyear deals. On the player development side, former Stanley Cup winner Pascal Dupuis has been hired by the Islanders as their director of player development.

Team Roster Moves & Contract Extensions

Beyond the draft-day trades several teams have been securing their core players with new contracts. The Edmonton Oilers, fresh off hiring Babcock, also managed to re-sign defenseman Connor Murphy to a five-year, $20.5 million deal and defensive-minded center Jason Dickinson to a five-year contract worth $20 million. The Seattle Kraken will keep forward Bobby McMann in the fold, agreeing to terms on a six-year deal. The Kraken also acquired forward Mackie Samoskevich from the Florida Panthers in a trade that sent the No. 25 overall draft pick back to Florida.

League Expansion & PWHL Growth

The National Hockey League is reportedly eyeing expansion into Texas, with both Austin and Houston identified as potential targets, according to sources. This potential move signals the league's continued interest in expanding its footprint in new markets. Meanwhile, the Premier Hockey Federation (PWHL) is taking steps to ensure its long-term viability, announcing its first two investors in Detroit-based Ilitch Companies and Toronto-based Kilmer Sports Ventures. This investment is aimed at sustaining the league's rapid growth and development.

Hockey Hall of Fame Snubs & Future Prospects

As the Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2026 is being announced, attention is already turning to future classes. Notably, Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour, who recently led his team to a Stanley Cup victory after captaining them to a championship as a player, was passed over for induction in 2026. This decision has sparked discussion among fans and analysts about his Hall of Fame credentials. The league is also abuzz with speculation about who might be traded next, with offers sheets for players like Robertson being discussed as the first round of the NHL Draft looms.