NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: June 24, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

NHL OFFSEASON SHIFTS ACCELERATE WITH DRAFT APPROACH

The NHL's offseason has entered a frenetic phase with significant player movement and draft preparations dominating headlines. The Chicago Blackhawks acquired defenseman Bowen Byram and forward Jordan Greenway from the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night in exchange for the Nos. 4 and 45 selections in Friday's NHL Draft, along with defenseman L-truncated. Byram, who was acquired in a trade from the Sabres, is poised to step into the Blackhawks' No. 1 defenseman role, stating he has "been preparing for opportunity like this". Meanwhile, Sabres General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen indicated on Wednesday that the team is anticipating the departure of veteran forward Alex Tuch in free agency, citing a lack of progress in contract negotiations.

Several other teams also made substantial moves ahead of the draft. The Washington Capitals secured veteran winger Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues, sending forward Connor McMichael, Milton Gastrin, and the No. 16 overall pick in the upcoming draft to St. Louis. The Ottawa Senators bolstered their prospect pool by landing winger William Eklund, prospect Kasper Halttunen, and the rights to Brandon Svoboda from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for the No. 9 draft selection. The New Jersey Devils, meanwhile, traded the rights to pending restricted free agents defenseman Simon Nemec and winger Maxim Tsyplakov to the Calgary Flames for two first-round picks and a second-round selection.

The upcoming NHL Draft, set to begin Friday, is a focal point for many teams looking to reshape their rosters. Our final big board rankings for the 2026 NHL Draft include prospects like McKenna and Stenberg, with anticipation building around which players will hear their names called in the first round. Reporters are circulating the latest league intelligence, with discussions ranging from potential trade targets to offer sheets for players like Robertson.

FAMILY REUNIONS AND COACHING MOVES MARK THE WEEK

The Tkachuk family is experiencing a unique moment in the NHL, with brothers Brady and Matthew now teammates on the Florida Panthers. Brady Tkachuk expressed excitement about the reunion, noting he "just couldn't believe it" when the trade materialized. He also clarified that his desire to leave the Ottawa Senators for Florida "wasn't about" playing with his brother Matthew. Adding to the family's celebrated week, Keith Tkachuk was elected to the Hall of Fame on Monday, less than 24 hours after his sons became teammates in Florida.

On the coaching front, the Edmonton Oilers officially announced the hiring of Mike Babcock as their new head coach on Tuesday. Babcock, who previously coached the Toronto Maple Leafs before being fired in 2019, steps into a role that has drawn scrutiny. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman stated that while there was no basis to prevent the Oilers from hiring Babcock, the veteran coach is expected to uphold a "certain level of decorum". One analyst suggested the Oilers are "inviting disaster by hiring Mike Babcock". In other coaching news, the Utah Mammoth have signed coach André Tourigny and assistant Blaine Forsythe to new multiyear contracts.

The PWHL continues to make strides in its development, announcing it has added its first two investors on Monday. Detroit-based Ilitch Companies and Toronto-based Kilmer Sports Ventures have joined the league, signaling a commitment to its rapid growth. The Walter Cup champion Montreal Victoire have also been active, signing Canadian Olympian Emma Maltais to a two-year contract on Tuesday, adding another decorated player to their roster.

FRONT OFFICE CHANGES AND EXPANSION PROSPECTS

Front office personnel changes also marked the week, with the New York Islanders announcing the hiring of former Stanley Cup winner Pascal Dupuis as their director of player development on Tuesday. The league itself is reportedly exploring expansion opportunities, with sources indicating that the NHL is considering Austin and Houston, Texas, as potential targets for its next expansion phase.

In player transactions, the Oilers have solidified their blue line by signing defenseman Connor Murphy to a five-year contract worth $20.5 million. Meanwhile, the Hockey Hall of Fame discussions continue, with speculation about who will be inducted in 2027. Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour, who recently led his team to a Stanley Cup title, was notably passed over for the 2026 Hall of Fame class despite his significant achievements as both a player and coach. The league is also grappling with storylines emerging in the aftermath of the Hurricanes' championship victory, with five particular narratives already dominating discussion.