NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: June 24, 2026, 8:31 AM ET

NHL Draft and Trades Heat Up League Activity

The NHL draft is just days away, with the first round set to begin Friday, and teams are making significant moves to reshape their rosters. The Chicago Blackhawks acquired veteran defenseman Bowen Byram and forward Jordan Greenway from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for the No. 4 and No. 45 picks in this year's draft, along with defenseman L truncated. Simultaneously, the Washington Capitals landed winger Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues, sending Connor McMichael, Milton Gastrin, and the No. 16 overall pick in return. The Ottawa Senators also made a notable acquisition, securing winger William Eklund and prospect Kasper Halttunen from the San Jose Sharks for the No. 9 pick. In another significant transaction, the New Jersey Devils traded the rights to pending restricted free agent defenseman Simon Nemec and winger Maxim Tsyplakov to the Calgary Flames for two first-round picks and a second-round selection.

Brotherly Reunion and Coaching Carousel

A blockbuster trade saw Brady Tkachuk join his brother Matthew on the Florida Panthers, with the Senators captain being dealt to South Florida for a package of draft picks. Brady Tkachuk stated that playing with his brother was not the primary motivation for the move, but acknowledged his excitement at the reunion. Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers officially named Mike Babcock as their new head coach, a decision that has drawn scrutiny. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman indicated that while there was no basis to prevent the hiring, Babcock is expected to maintain a "certain level of decorum". This move comes as the Oilers also finalized a five-year, $20.5 million contract for defenseman Connor Murphy and a five-year deal worth $20 million for Jason Dickinson, bolstering their defense and forward depth.

PWHL Expansion and Front Office Moves

The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) is set to expand its reach with the addition of its first investors. Detroit-based Ilitch Companies and Toronto-based Kilmer Sports Ventures have committed capital to sustain the league's rapid growth. In player news, the Walter Cup champion Montreal Victoire have signed Olympian Emma Maltais to a two-year contract, adding another Canadian Olympian to their roster. The New York Islanders have also made a front office addition, hiring former Stanley Cup winner Pascal Dupuis as their director of player development.

Hockey Hall of Fame and Future Outlooks

The Hockey Hall of Fame welcomed Keith Tkachuk, less than 24 hours after his sons Brady and Matthew became teammates on the Florida Panthers. However, Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour, who led his team to a Stanley Cup title, was notably passed over for induction into the 2027 Hall of Fame class. As the league looks ahead, potential expansion into Texas, with Austin and Houston as targets, is reportedly under consideration by the NHL. The final rankings for the upcoming NHL draft are also being released, with McKenna and Stenberg appearing high on the list of prospects expected to hear their names called in the first round.

Player Movement and RFA Decisions

Beyond the major draft-related trades, other player movement continues across the league. Forward Bobby McMann has agreed to terms on a six-year contract extension with the Seattle Kraken. The Kraken also acquired forward Mackie Samoskevich from the Florida Panthers in a deal that sent the No. 25 pick in this week's draft back to Florida. The Utah Mammoth have signed coach André Tourigny and assistant Blaine Forsythe to new multiyear contracts. The NHL is also monitoring potential offer sheets for restricted free agents, with Robertson being a name mentioned in speculation.