NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: June 27, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

NHL Draft and Offseason Shakeups Dominate Headlines

The NHL offseason has officially ignited, with a flurry of trades and draft-day maneuvering reshaping rosters across the league. The annual NHL draft concluded with all 224 selections finalized, while trade season saw significant player movement. Notably, the Toronto Maple Leafs exercised their right to the first overall pick, selecting Penn State winger Gavin McKenna, an 18-year-old who posted 15 goals and 51 points. This move was widely anticipated, solidifying McKenna's status as the top prospect and drawing comparisons to elite talents like Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid Maple Leafs swing big. The Anaheim Ducks were active, sending young center Mason McTavish to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for the Nos. 15 and 29 selections in the draft. In another significant move, the Colorado Avalanche continued their roster overhaul by trading veteran winger Valeri Nichushkin to the Columbus Blue Jackets, signaling a clear shift after their playoff disappointment.

Major Trades and Roster Adjustments

The trade market remained red-hot throughout the draft period, with several teams making substantial moves to bolster their lineups. The Carolina Hurricanes acquired the rights to unrestricted free agent defenseman John Carlson from the Ducks. Meanwhile, the Boston Bruins added winger JJ Peterka via a trade with the Mammoth, a move occurring one year after they initially acquired him. The New York Rangers bolstered their offensive capabilities by landing RFA forward Pavel Dorofeyev from the Golden Knights, who had been the Knights' leading goal scorer last season. This acquisition cost the Rangers multiple first-round picks. The St. Louis Blues also made a defensive acquisition, trading for Brandon Carlo from the Maple Leafs for a pair of third-round draft picks. The Buffalo Sabres continued their roster building by acquiring Olen Zellweger from the Anaheim Ducks for prospect Anton Wahlberg and a second-round pick.

Prospect Development and Contract Signings

Beyond immediate trades, teams focused on securing their future talent and locking down key players with new contracts. The Pittsburgh Penguins made a unique selection at the draft, taking twins Marcus and Liam Ruck from British Columbia. In a significant move for the Kings, defenseman Brandt Clarke was re-signed to a five-year deal worth an annual average of $7.4 million after a career-best season. The Ottawa Senators are set to sign defenseman Jordan Spence to a four-year contract worth $20 million, a move that comes after he helped the team navigate injuries last season. Defenseman Tony DeAngelo is returning to the Islanders on a two-year deal reportedly worth $4.5 million per year. The Avalanche addressed their defensive depth by re-signing both Brett Kulak and Brent Burns Avalanche answer questions.

Goaltending Carousel and Future Outlooks

The goaltending landscape saw some shifts as well, with one notable prospect on the move. The Detroit Red Wings traded one of their top prospects, goaltender Sebastian Cossa, to the Mammoth for the 23rd overall pick in the current draft. the Hockey Hall Fame will announce its 2027 class after the 2026 class has been revealed, offering a glimpse into future honorees. The Stanley Cup playoffs saw Mitch Marner rewrite his reputation, while predictions for the conference finals were being made. The Canada's Stanley Cup drought reached 33 years following the Canadiens' elimination, and the discussion around the "Presidents' Trophy curse" continued, with analysis suggesting the difficulty of winning the Cup is the primary factor, not a specific trophy jinx no Presidents' Trophy curse.

Coaching Changes and Player Health Concerns

The offseason has also brought significant coaching changes. The Edmonton Oilers fired Kris Knoblauch, who had guided the team to the Stanley Cup Finals in both 2024 and 2025. Similarly, the Toronto Maple Leafs parted ways with Craig Berube, facing another critical decision regarding their coaching staff. On the player health front, the Carolina Hurricanes are likely to be without leading scorer Seth Jarvis for the start of their Stanley Cup defense due to shoulder surgery, which is expected to sideline him for four to six months. In a separate piece of news, Olympian Hilary Knight extended her contract with PWHL Detroit through the 2028-29 season Knight extends deal. Montreal Victoire captain Marie-Philip Poulin revealed she played through a torn ACL and meniscus during the PWHL championship game, demonstrating remarkable resilience Poulin played through injury.