NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: June 26, 2026, 11:33 PM ET

NHL Draft and Trades Dominate Headlines

The NHL draft kicked off Friday with the Toronto Maple Leafs selecting winger Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick, a move widely expected after his strong performance at Penn State. McKenna, was ranked among the top prospects and his selection drew comparisons to past No. 1 picks like Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid. The draft also saw significant player movement. The Anaheim Ducks sent young center Mason McTavish to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for two first-round picks, Nos. 15 and. Meanwhile, the Detroit Red Wings dealt top goaltending prospect Sebastian Cossa to the Utah Mammoth for the 23rd selection. The New York Rangers, looking to bolster their scoring, acquired forward Pavel Dorofeyev from the Vegas Golden Knights. The Buffalo Sabres also made a move, landing Olen Zellweger from Anaheim for prospect Anton Wahlberg and a second-round pick.

Defensemen Ink Major Deals and Prospect Movement

The defenseman market saw several significant signings and trades as teams prepare for the upcoming season. The Los Angeles Kings re-signed Brandt Clarke to a five-year contract extension worth $7.4 million annually after a career-best season. In Ottawa, the Senators are signing Jordan Spence to a four-year deal worth $20 million, with Spence having played a key role in offsetting injuries last season. The Islanders have brought back Tony DeAngelo on a two-year contract reportedly valued at $4.5 million per year. On the trade front, the Utah Mammoth continued to shuffle their roster, sending winger JJ Peterka to the Boston Bruins, just a year after acquiring him. The Rangers also made a deal, trading Brett Berard to the Montreal Canadiens for defenseman William Trudeau.

Roster Reshuffling and Contract Extensions Across the League

Teams continued to reshape their rosters and secure key players with contract extensions and trades. The Colorado Avalanche were active, re-signing defensemen Brett Kulak and Brent Burns to address their blue line. Earlier in the week, the Avalanche also traded winger Valeri Nichushkin to the Columbus Blue Jackets as they look to revamp their team following a disappointing playoff exit. The Buffalo Sabres, meanwhile, have signed Zach Benson to a seven-year, $52.5 million contract following his breakout playoff performance. The Florida Panthers acquired Garnet Hathaway from the Philadelphia Flyers, adding grit to their lineup. In Chicago, Bowen Byram is stepping into a prominent role as the Blackhawks' top defenseman following his acquisition from the Sabres. The Sabres also appear to be preparing for the potential departure of veteran forward Alex Tuch, with GM Jarmo Kekalainen stating he expects Tuch to move on in free agency.

PWHL News and Olympic Stars Sign Extensions

Beyond the NHL, the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) saw significant news regarding veteran talent. Five-time Olympian Hilary Knight signed a two-year contract extension with the new PWHL Detroit expansion team, securing her through the 2028-29 season. In a remarkable display of determination, Montreal Victoire captain Marie-Philip Poulin revealed that she played through a torn ACL and meniscus in her right knee during the team's championship run. The PWHL draft, along with the NHL's draft and initial free agency period, are expected to shape the competitive landscape for both leagues.