NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: June 25, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

NHL OFFSEASON MOVES HEATING UP AS DRAFT LOOMS

The NHL offseason is in full swing 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, sending away the No. 4 and No. 45 picks in Friday's NHL Draft, along with defenseman L. truncated. Byram is expected to step into a No. 1 defenseman role for the Blackhawks, a significant opportunity he feels he has been preparing for since his trade. Meanwhile, the Sabres appear to be bracing for the departure of veteran forward Alex Tuch, with GM Jarmo Kekalainen stating he expects Tuch to move on to free agency as contract talks have stalled progress.

In other trade news, the Washington Capitals secured veteran winger Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues by trading Connor McMichael, Milton Gastrin, and the No. 16 pick in the upcoming NHL Draft. The Ottawa Senators also made a significant move, landing left winger William Eklund, prospect Kasper Halttunen, and the rights to prospect Brandon Svoboda from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for the No. 9 overall pick. The New Jersey Devils, meanwhile, dealt 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.

DRAFT PROJECTIONS AND HALL OF FAME BUZZ

As the NHL Draft approaches, mock drafts are solidifying their predictions. While the top two picks seem set, the order and selection of players beyond that remain a subject of intense speculation, according to final projections. Our updated big board ranks key prospects like McKenna and Stenberg as the first round is set to begin Friday, with teams aiming to secure future stars. Adding to the league's buzz, former Stanley Cup winner Pascal Dupuis has been hired by the New York Islanders as their director of player development.

Hockey Hall of Fame discussions are also underway. While Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour, fresh off a Stanley Cup victory, was passed over for the 2026 class, Keith Tkachuk was elected into the Hall of Fame on Monday, less than 24 hours after his sons, Brady and Matthew, became teammates with Brady's trade to the Florida Panthers. Brady Tkachuk stated that playing with his brother Matthew was not the primary motivation for his trade from Ottawa to Florida, despite being