NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: June 29, 2026, 11:31 PM ET

NHL Transactions and Draft Buzz

The NHL offseason continued to be a whirlwind of activity over the past three days, with significant trades and contract extensions reshaping rosters ahead of free agency. The San Jose Sharks made a splash by signing newly acquired defenseman Michael Kesselring to a three-year, $13.5 million contract on Monday, while also drafting the towering 7-foot-1 defenseman Alexander Karmanov, the tallest player ever selected in an NHL draft Sharks ink Kesselring. In another notable move, the Buffalo Sabres secured checking-line forward Beck Malenstyn with a six-year, $17.5 million extension, a move made just before the July 1 free agency opening Sabres re-sign Malenstyn. The Nashville Predators also finalized a significant deal, signing forward Jack Drury to a five-year, $22.5 million contract on Sunday night, four days after acquiring him from the Avalanche Preds sign Drury.

The trade market saw several key players move as well. Forward Brendan Gallagher was sent to Vancouver from Montreal in exchange for future considerations on Monday Gallagher parts Habs. The New York Rangers bolstered their offense by acquiring Pavel Dorofeyev, the Golden Knights' leading goal scorer last season, from Vegas for multiple first-round picks Rangers land Dorofeyev. On the blue line, the St. Louis Blues acquired defenseman Brandon Carlo from the Maple Leafs for a pair of third-round picks Blues acquire Carlo. The Anaheim Ducks traded center Mason McTavish to the Blues for the 15th and 29th overall picks in the NHL draft Ducks send McTavish.

Draft Selections and Future Outlooks

The NHL Entry Draft continued to be a focal point, with teams making selections that could define their future. The Pittsburgh Penguins notably drafted twins Marcus and Liam Ruck, a unique decision that highlights family considerations in the draft process Penguins draft Ruck twins. The Sharks’ selection of Alexander Karmanov, the tallest player ever drafted at 7-foot-1, immediately drew attention for his unprecedented size Sharks select Karmanov. Beyond immediate draft impact, teams are also evaluating their prospects for fantasy hockey leagues, with discussions around which 2026 draft picks offer the most upside for upcoming seasons Fantasy draft picks. GM report cards are also emerging, offering assessments of which teams maximized their draft weekend value and which fell short GM report cards.

Coaching Changes and Playoff Reflections

The coaching carousel also saw significant movement, with the Edmonton Oilers firing Kris Knoblauch after leading the team to the Stanley Cup Finals in both 2024 and 2025 Oilers fire Knoblauch. Similarly, the Maple Leafs made a change behind the bench, firing Craig Berube and facing another major organizational decision Maple Leafs fire Berube. As the league reflects on recent playoff runs, the Canadiens' loss extended Canada's Stanley Cup drought to 33 years Canada's Cup drought. There's also a continuing debate around the so-called "Presidents' Trophy curse," with analysis suggesting the difficulty lies in winning the Cup itself rather than any specific award jinx No Presidents' Trophy curse.

Player Health and Contract Negotiations

Player health and contract negotiations remain paramount as teams prepare for the upcoming season. Carolina Hurricanes' leading scorer Seth Jarvis is expected to miss four to six months due to shoulder surgery, potentially impacting their ability to defend their Stanley Cup title Jarvis surgery. The Hurricanes also made a move to acquire the rights to unrestricted free agent defenseman John Carlson in a trade with the Ducks on Saturday, signaling their intent to bolster their blue line Canes acquire Carlson rights. Meanwhile, speculation continues around defenseman Zach Werenski, with discussions about his potential impact on any team that acquires him in the future, particularly in relation to the Norris Trophy Werenski trade rumors.

Free Agency Preview and Team Strategy

With the free agency market set to open on July 1, teams are strategizing their moves. This preview identifies key free agents for each team and outlines potential strategies for navigating the market Free agency preview. The early acquisition of players like Jack Drury by the Predators, who was traded from the Avalanche just days before signing, exemplifies teams looking to secure assets before the official opening of free agency Preds sign Drury. The Golden Knights, after acquiring multiple first-round picks for Dorofeyev, will be looking to use those assets effectively Rangers land Dorofeyev.

Simulation Insights and Team Performance

Computer simulations continue to offer predictive insights into playoff matchups, with detailed picks and predictions for various series, including conference finals Playoff predictions. These simulations have provided analysis for games such as Canadiens vs. Sabres Game 7 Canadiens vs. Sabres and Golden Knights vs. Avalanche Game 1 and Game 2 Golden Knights vs. Avs, Golden Knights vs. Avs. The insights extend to earlier rounds as well, with winners and losers identified from the second round, such as Mitch Marner rewriting his reputation Round 2 winners/losers. The recent draft also saw teams like the Sabres emerge as clear winners, while others, like the Golden Knights, were identified as potential losers based on their draft-week activities Winners/losers from draft.