NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: June 27, 2026, 2:32 AM ET

NHL Draft & Player Movement

The NHL draft kicked off Friday with the Toronto Maple Leafs selecting winger Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick, a move that had been widely anticipated. McKenna, joins an elite group of top picks including Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid. The draft also saw significant player movement, with the Anaheim Ducks trading center Mason McTavish to the St. Louis Blues for two first-round picks (Nos. 15 and . In another notable trade, the Detroit Red Wings sent goaltender prospect Sebastian Cossa to the Utah Mammoth for the 23rd overall selection. The New York Rangers bolstered their forward group by acquiring Pavel Dorofeyev from the Vegas Golden Knights, who was the latter's leading scorer last season.

The Rangers also made a separate deal, trading forward Brett Berard to the Montreal Canadiens for defenseman William Trudeau, signaling the start of a critical offseason. The Buffalo Sabres made a splash by acquiring defenseman Olen Zellweger from the Ducks in exchange for prospect Anton Wahlberg and a second-round pick. Meanwhile, the Boston Bruins added winger JJ Peterka via a trade with the Utah Mammoth, one year after acquiring him. The Colorado Avalanche continued to reshape their roster, trading winger Valeri Nichushkin to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday as they look to rebound from a playoff disappointment.

Contract Signings & Roster Stability

Defenseman Brandt Clarke secured a significant payday with the Los Angeles Kings, signing a five-year contract worth $7.4 million annually. In Colorado, the Avalanche addressed their blueline depth by re-signing veteran defensemen Brett Kulak and Brent Burns, providing continuity after a disappointing playoff exit. The Ottawa Senators are set to lock up defenseman Jordan Spence, with reports indicating a four-year, $20 million contract is forthcoming, following his impactful performance last season amid injuries. Tony DeAngelo will return to the New York Islanders on a two-year deal reportedly worth $4.5 million per year.

In Buffalo, the Sabres rewarded Zach Benson for his breakout playoff performance by signing him to a seven-year, $52.5 million contract. The Florida Panthers strengthened their physical presence by acquiring Garnet Hathaway from the Philadelphia Flyers, a move that shores up their grit as A.J. Greer is expected to depart in free agency. The Chicago Blackhawks are looking to Bowen Byram to fill a key role, with the defenseman preparing for an opportunity as the team's No. 1 defenseman following his acquisition from the Sabres. Meanwhile, Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen indicated that forward Alex Tuch is likely to move on to free agency with little progress made on a new contract.

Injury News & League Developments

The Carolina Hurricanes received concerning news regarding forward Seth Jarvis, who is likely to undergo shoulder surgery and face a 4-6 month recovery period, potentially sidelining him for the start of the season. In the Premier Hockey Federation, five-time Olympian Hilary Knight extended her contract with PWHL Detroit for two years, securing her commitment through the 2028-29 season. A remarkable display of toughness came from Montreal Victoire captain Marie-Philip Poulin, who revealed she played through a torn ACL and meniscus during the PWHL championship run. The NHL draft tracker and results from Friday's first round, along with scouting notes and team fits, are available, detailing the selections of top prospects like McKenna and Stenberg.