NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: June 27, 2026, 8:33 AM ET

NHL Draft & Team Moves Dominate Headlines

The NHL offseason kicked into high gear with a flurry of draft-day trades and significant player movement. The Toronto Maple Leafs used the top pick in Friday's NHL Entry Draft to select Penn State winger Gavin McKenna, a decision that had been widely anticipated as draft predictions solidified. The Anaheim Ducks were active, sending center Mason McTavish to the St. Louis Blues for two first-round picks (Nos. 15 and , while also trading defenseman Olen Zellweger to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for prospect forward Anton Wahlberg and a second-round selection. Detroit also made a notable prospect trade, dealing goaltender Sebastian Cossa to the Utah Mammoth for the 23rd overall pick. The New York Rangers bolstered their forward group by acquiring Pavel Dorofeyev from the Vegas Golden Knights, a move that follows their earlier trade of forward Brett Berard to the Montreal Canadiens for defenseman William Trudeau in their first significant offseason move.

Defensemen Ink Lucrative Deals Amid Roster Reshuffling

Several teams addressed their blue lines with substantial contract extensions and trades. The Los Angeles Kings secured defenseman Brandt Clarke on a five-year deal worth $7.4 million annually after a career-best season. In Ottawa, defenseman Jordan Spence agreed to a four-year contract worth $20 million, a deal that comes after he helped the Senators navigate defensive injuries last season. The New York Islanders re-signed Tony DeAngelo to a two-year contract reportedly worth $4.5 million per season. Meanwhile, the Colorado Avalanche re-signed veteran defensemen Brett Kulak and Brent Burns, moves that help stabilize their back end following a playoff disappointment. In a separate deal, the Avalanche also traded winger Valeri Nichushkin to the Columbus Blue Jackets, continuing their roster adjustments. The Chicago Blackhawks are looking to fill a void on defense, with Bowen Byram stepping into the top defenseman role after his acquisition from the Sabres earlier in the week.

Forward Movement and Contract Extensions Shape Rosters

Beyond the draft, teams continued to shape their forward lines through trades and contract agreements. The Utah Mammoth, newly active in the trade market, sent winger JJ Peterka to the Boston Bruins, marking Peterka's second trade in as many years. The Florida Panthers addressed their need for grit by acquiring Garnet Hathaway from the Philadelphia Flyers, anticipating potential departures in free agency. The Buffalo Sabres also made a significant commitment to forward Zach Benson, signing him to a seven-year, $52.5 million contract following a breakout playoff performance. In contrast, the Sabres appear to be preparing for the departure of veteran forward Alex Tuch, with GM Jarmo Kekalainen expecting him to test free agency due to a lack of progress on extension talks. The Carolina Hurricanes are facing an early setback, as leading scorer Seth Jarvis is likely to miss 4-6 months due to shoulder surgery, potentially impacting their ability to defend their Stanley Cup title at the start of the season.

PWHL Stars Shine in Post-Championship Revelations

Away from the NHL, the Professional Women's Hockey League saw inspiring stories emerge following its championship conclusion. Montreal Victoire captain Marie-Philip Poulin revealed that she played through a torn ACL and meniscus during the team's championship run, demonstrating remarkable resilience. In a significant development for the league's profile, five-time Olympian Hilary Knight signed a two-year contract extension with the PWHL's new Detroit expansion team, securing her presence through the 2028-29 season.