NHL Hockey 8 Hours

Last updated: June 26, 2026, 11:33 PM ET

NHL Draft & Trades Frenzy

The NHL draft commenced Friday with the Toronto Maple Leafs selecting winger Gavin McKenna first overall, confirming earlier speculation. The draft, spanning Friday and Saturday, saw significant player movement. The Detroit Red Wings traded goaltender prospect Sebastian Cossa to the Utah Mammoth for the 23rd overall pick. Anaheim also made a substantial move, sending center Mason McTavish to the St. Louis Blues for the 15th and 29th selections. In another deal involving Anaheim, the Buffalo Sabres acquired defenseman Olen Zellweger in exchange for prospect Anton Wahlberg and a second-round pick. The New York Rangers bolstered their offense by acquiring forward Pavel Dorofeyev from the Vegas Golden Knights.

Defensive Realignments and Signings

Beyond draft-day trades, teams focused on solidifying their defensive corps and extending existing talent. The Los Angeles Kings reached a five-year agreement with defenseman Brandt Clarke, reportedly worth $7.4 million annually after a career-best season. The Colorado Avalanche addressed their blue line by re-signing both Brett Kulak and Brent Burns. Meanwhile, the Boston Bruins reportedly acquired winger JJ Peterka from the Utah Mammoth, a move that occurred one year after Peterka was originally traded to Utah, according to sources.