NHL Hockey 8 Hours

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

NHL Transactions and Signings

The Vegas Golden Knights acquired defenseman Parker Wotherspoon from the Pittsburgh Penguins, a move that freed up over $3 million in salary cap space by sending Kaedan Korczak the other way. In other defensive news, Blue Jackets standout Zach Werenski has reportedly vetoed a trade to the Dallas Stars, thwarting a potential blockbuster deal. The New Jersey Devils, meanwhile, have secured winger Arseny Gritsyuk with a three-year contract, locking up one of the league's promising young talents.

Further solidifying their rosters, the San Jose Sharks inked newly acquired defenseman Michael Kesselring to a three-year, $13.5 million deal, while the Anaheim Ducks signed forward AJ Greer to a four-year contract worth $17 million. The Buffalo Sabres also made significant moves, re-signing checking-line forward Beck Malenstyn to a six-year, $17.5 million pact and adding former antagonist Milan Lucic as a professional scout. In a notable goaltender transaction, the Florida Panthers acquired Jacob Markstrom from the Devils as part of a five-player exchange. Finally, Brendan Gallagher was traded to the Vancouver Canucks for future considerations, concluding his tenure with the Montreal Canadiens.

NHL Postseason and Future Outlook

As the Stanley Cup Playoffs progress, the Montreal Canadiens' Game 7 matchup against the Buffalo Sabres has been a subject of extensive computer simulation, with 10,000 projections offering insights into the potential outcome. Similarly, simulations have been generated for the Hurricanes vs. Canadiens Game 5 and the Golden Knights vs. Avalanche series, with Game 1 and Game 2 predictions available.

Beyond the immediate playoff picture, discussions are underway regarding potential trade suitors for Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin. Meanwhile, Mitch Marner's performance has been highlighted as a key factor in the Toronto Maple Leafs' second-round success, prompting a reevaluation of his reputation. The notion of a "Presidents' Trophy curse" is being debunked, with analysis suggesting the difficulty lies in the inherent challenge of winning the Stanley Cup. Canada's Stanley Cup drought has now extended to 33 years following the Canadiens' elimination. Looking further ahead, speculation is mounting about which players might be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2027, following the recent announcement of the 2026 class.