NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: June 24, 2026, 5:31 AM ET

NHL OFFSEASON MOVES & COACHING CHANGES

The NHL offseason is in full swing with significant trades and coaching appointments dominating headlines. The Chicago Blackhawks acquired defenseman Bowen Byram and forward Jordan Greenway from the Sabres, sending picks No. 4 and 45 in the upcoming draft, along with defenseman L truncated, to Buffalo. In another notable deal, the Capitals landed veteran winger Jordan Kyrou from the Blues in exchange for Connor McMichael, Milton Gastrin, and the No. 16 draft selection. The Senators, meanwhile, secured William Eklund from the Sharks, packaging prospect Kasper Halttunen and the rights to Brandon Svoboda for the No. 9 pick. The Devils also moved assets, trading the rights to Simon Nemec and Maxim Tsyplakov to the Flames for two first-round picks and a second-round selection.

The coaching carousel saw a high-profile return as Mike Babcock was officially named the new head coach of the Edmonton Oilers, marking his return to the league after a stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman acknowledged the hiring, stating that while there was no basis for preventing the Oilers from bringing Babcock aboard, the coach is expected to maintain a "certain level of decorum" as noted by Bettman. This move has drawn criticism, with some outlets suggesting the Oilers are "inviting disaster" by hiring Babcock. In personnel news, former Stanley Cup champion Pascal Dupuis joined the Islanders as their director of player development.

TKACHUK BROTHERS REUNITED & EXPANSION TALK

A blockbuster trade saw Brady Tkachuk dealt to the Florida Panthers, reuniting him with his brother Matthew. Sources confirmed the Senators captain was sent to Florida for a collection of draft picks, a move that allows the brothers to play together on a team that has reached the Stanley Cup Final twice. Brady Tkachuk himself stated that playing with his brother was not the primary driver for the trade, despite expressing excitement about their reunion and the potential for their young families to grow together in Florida as Brady shared. The Kraken also made a move, acquiring forward Mackie Samoskevich from the Panthers in exchange for the No. 25 pick in Friday's NHL draft.

Beyond player movement, the NHL is reportedly considering expansion into Texas, with Austin and Houston identified as potential targets for the league's next wave of expansion. This development signals a continued growth strategy for the league, looking to tap into new markets.

PWHL GROWTH & HALL OF FAME CONSIDERATIONS

The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) is experiencing significant growth, announcing its first two investors: Detroit-based Ilitch Companies and Toronto-based Kilmer Sports Ventures as the PWHL grows. This investment is aimed at sustaining the league's rapid expansion. In player news, Walter Cup champion Montreal Victoire signed Canadian Olympian Emma Maltais to a two-year contract, bolstering their roster with another elite talent.

In Hall of Fame news, Keith Tkachuk was elected to the Hall of Fame on Monday, less than 24 hours after his sons became teammates in Florida as Keith made the HOF. Meanwhile, 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 class as Brind'Amour was not selected. Speculation continues regarding future Hall of Fame inductees, with rankings and predictions for the 2027 class already being discussed examining 2027 inductees.

PLAYER CONTRACTS & TEAM ROSTER MOVES

Team roster adjustments continue as the offseason progresses. The Edmonton Oilers have been active, re-signing defenseman Connor Murphy to a five-year, $20.5 million contract and inking Jason Dickinson to a five-year, $20 million deal as Dickinson re-signed, preventing him from testing free agency. The Seattle Kraken are keeping forward Bobby McMann in the fold, agreeing to terms on a six-year deal that will keep him with the team. The Utah Mammoth have also made staff moves, with coach André Tourigny and assistant Blaine Forsythe signing multiyear contracts. The league is also to future storylines, with discussions already underway about the dominant narratives for the 2026 NHL season previewing 2026 storylines.