NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: July 1, 2026, 2:34 AM ET

NHL Offseason Shakeups and Roster Moves

The NHL offseason has been defined by significant roster adjustments and strategic acquisitions across the league. The Vegas Golden Knights moved defenseman Parker Wotherspoon to the Penguins in exchange for Kaedan Korczak, freeing up more than $3 million in salary cap space. Meanwhile, the New Jersey Devils were active, sending goaltender Jacob Markstrom to the Florida Panthers as part of a five-player deal, while also signing restricted free agent winger Arseny Gritsyuk to a three-year contract. The Anaheim Ducks continued to bolster their lineup by signing forward AJ Greer to a four-year, $17 million deal, adding Stanley Cup experience. In another significant move, the Vancouver Canucks acquired forward Brendan Gallagher from the Canadiens for future considerations. The San Jose Sharks, fresh off acquiring defenseman Michael Kesselring, inked him to a three-year, $13.5 million contract. The Carolina Hurricanes acquired the rights to defenseman John Carlson from the Ducks, while the Nashville Predators signed forward Jack Drury to a five-year, $22.5 million contract shortly after acquiring him from the Avalanche. The New York Rangers bolstered their offense by acquiring forward Pavel Dorofeyev from the Golden Knights for multiple first-round picks. The St. Louis Blues also made a defensive acquisition, trading for Brandon Carlo from the Maple Leafs for two third-round picks.

Team Building and Future Outlooks

Teams are actively shaping their rosters for the upcoming seasons through trades, draft picks, and contract extensions. The Buffalo Sabres have brought former antagonist Milan Lucic aboard as a pro scout, reflecting a shift in team dynamics. The Sabres also secured forward Beck Malenstyn with a six-year, $17.5 million pact. On the draft front, the San Jose Sharks made history by selecting 7-foot-1 defenseman Alexander Karmanov, the tallest player ever drafted. The Pittsburgh Penguins took a unique approach by drafting twins Marcus and Liam Ruck. The Carolina Hurricanes face an early setback as leading scorer Seth Jarvis is expected to miss 4-6 months due to shoulder surgery, potentially impacting their Stanley Cup defense. The Columbus Blue Jackets saw defenseman Zach Werenski veto a trade to the Stars, a move that would have significantly altered the landscape for both teams, with Werenski being a prime candidate for Norris Trophy consideration .

Coaching Changes and Contract Negotiations

The coaching landscape has seen notable shifts, with the Edmonton Oilers firing Kris Knoblauch despite leading the team to two consecutive Stanley Cup Finals appearances in 2024 and 2025. Similarly, the Toronto Maple Leafs parted ways with Craig Berube, signaling a major decision point for the franchise. Contract negotiations are also a focal point, with the New Jersey Devils locking up Arseny Gritsyuk, one of last season's top rookies. The Columbus Blue Jackets continue to navigate trade rumors surrounding star defenseman Zach Werenski, with several teams reportedly interested in acquiring his services. Meanwhile, the Detroit Red Wings are fielding inquiries regarding Dylan Larkin, indicating potential future movement for the forward.

Playoff Analytics and Predictions

As the league looks towards potential playoff scenarios, advanced analytics are playing an increasing role in predictions and evaluations. Computer simulations have been utilized extensively to forecast outcomes, with CBS Sports offering picks for a hypothetical Game 7 between the Canadiens and Sabres, and CBS Sports for Hurricanes vs. Canadiens Game. Similarly, picks for Golden Knights vs. Avs and Golden Knights vs. Avs Game 1 were generated using similar methodologies. The discussion around the "Presidents' Trophy curse" has been reframed, with analysis suggesting the difficulty lies in winning the Stanley Cup itself rather than a specific award. The Montreal Canadiens' recent playoff exit extends Canada's Stanley Cup drought to 33 years. Mitch Marner's performance in the second round of the playoffs has been highlighted as a significant moment in rewriting his reputation.

Free Agency and Draft Considerations

The upcoming free agency period and recent draft class offer avenues for teams to improve their rosters. The NHL free agency preview provides insights into key free agents for each team. Rankings of the best available players in free agency are also available, with names like Rasmus Andersson, John Carlson, Sergei Bobrovsky, and Alex Ovechkin leading the charge. Fantasy hockey implications of offseason moves are being analyzed, as are the top picks from the 2026 NHL draft for fantasy leagues. General managers are being graded on their performance during the draft weekend, with the Sabres identified as a notable winner. The acquisition of forward AJ Greer by the Ducks adds a player with Stanley Cup experience to a team on the rise .