NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: June 23, 2026, 11:31 PM ET

NHL Offseason Shakeups and Expansion Buzz

The NHL offseason is already heating up with significant player movement and expansion discussions. The Chicago Blackhawks made a notable acquisition, acquiring defenseman Bowen Byram and forward Jordan Greenway from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for the No. 4 and No. 45 picks in the upcoming NHL draft, along with defenseman Lian Bichsel. Meanwhile, the Washington Capitals bolstered their forward corps by bringing in veteran winger Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues, sending forward Connor McMichael, prospect Milton Gastrin, and the No. 16 draft pick the other way. The Ottawa Senators also addressed their forward group, landing William Eklund from the San Jose Sharks for the No. 9 pick and prospects Kasper Halttunen and Brandon Svoboda. In a deal involving draft capital, the New Jersey Devils traded the rights to Simon Nemec and Maxim Tsyplakov to the Calgary Flames for two first-round picks and a second-round selection.

The Tkachuk family is at the center of a blockbuster trade, with Brady Tkachuk being dealt to the Florida Panthers from the Ottawa Senators. The move reunites him with his brother, Matthew, on the two-time Stanley Cup finalist Panthers, a development Brady described as almost unbelievable. His father, Keith Tkachuk, was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday, less than 24 hours after his sons became teammates. Brady Tkachuk clarified that playing with his brother wasn't the sole reason for his desire to leave Ottawa. The Panthers also acquired forward Mackie Samoskevich from the Kraken, sending the No. 25 draft pick back to Florida in the transaction.

In coaching news, the Edmonton Oilers officially named Mike Babcock their new head coach, bringing the veteran bench boss back to the NHL after his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs concluded in 2019. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman addressed the hiring, stating that while there were no grounds to prevent the Oilers from hiring Babcock, the coach is expected to uphold a "certain level of decorum." The league is also reportedly exploring expansion into Texas, with Austin and Houston identified as potential targets for future NHL franchises.

The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) is also seeing significant developments, with the Walter Cup champion Montreal Victoire signing Canadian Olympian Emma Maltais to a two-year contract, adding further depth to their championship roster. The league also announced it has secured its first external investors, attracting Detroit-based Ilitch Companies and Toronto-based Kilmer Sports Ventures to support its rapid growth.

Individual team signings and front office moves are also shaping the league. The New York Islanders have hired former Stanley Cup winner Pascal Dupuis as their director of player development. On the player front, forward Bobby McMann will remain with the Seattle Kraken after agreeing to a six-year contract. The Edmonton Oilers continued to build their blue line, re-signing defenseman Jason Dickinson to a five-year, $20 million deal, and also inked defenseman Connor Murphy to a five-year, $20.5 million contract. The Utah Mammoth, of the NLL, have also made moves, with coach André Tourigny and assistant Blaine Forsythe signing new multiyear contracts.

speculation is already mounting regarding potential future Hall of Fame inductees, with discussions about who might make the 2027 class beginning as the 2026 class was recently announced. Notably, Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour, who recently led his team to a Stanley Cup title, was passed over for the 2026 Hockey Hall of Fame induction. Several storylines are already dominating the NHL landscape in the wake of the Hurricanes' championship victory, including potential offer sheets for restricted free agents and the ongoing impact of recent trades.