More than a month after the Senators were eliminated from the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, owner Michael Andlauer still finds himself thinking about what might have been.

He's still not fully over the first-round loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

"It's never over, because you look at it and they're still playing," Andlauer said Friday at the Senators' alumni golf tournament at the Canadia Golf and Country Club . "You look at it and think 'what if?' (Game 2 of the Cup Final) went into overtime. In our Game 2, how many posts, crossbars or open chances did we have? 'What if,' right?"

But those lingering thoughts haven't changed his big picture outlook. If anything, Andlauer sounds more convinced than ever that the Senators are doing things the right way and headed in the right direction.

"I think as a fan, I'm happy where we're going," he said.

Looking back on this season, Andlauer believes his club was stronger than last year's squad. While the Senators' playoff run was even shorter this year, Andlauer admired how his group rallied to earn a wild-card while pushing through so many battles.

"We went through a lot of adversity this season, including in the playoffs, with how many injuries we had on the D-core, and we persevered."

That resilience is something Andlauer clearly values, along with the positive culture that's been created by GM Steve Staios and head coach Travis Green.

Asked what the team needs to do to take the next step, Andlauer didn't talk about adding a specific kind of player or making a splashy move.

"I think continue to stay focused," he said. "I think Steve and his staff are doing a fantastic job of continuously improving. It's a very competitive league. (We need to) stay on track and continue to believe, make sure that the culture is right, that we care, and that we're willing to work harder than our competition."

Staios and his amateur staff have been in Buffalo at the 2026 NHL Scouting Combine over the past week. The combine allows GMs to get a closer look at most of the best young prospects eligible for the NHL Draft later this month.

Until recently, the 2026 combine was an event that the Sens could easily have skipped because they didn't have a first-round pick. It was the NHL's punishment for their role in the 2021 Evgenii Dadonov trade controversy. But in March, after all this time, the league decided to let Ottawa pick in round one after all, though it will be 32nd overall.

"It's good for us. It's good for our organization. It's good for our fans," Andlauer said. "I think we had to show the league what kind of organization we are, a new owner and everything, just to make sure that (the league knows) we're good corporate citizens.  And I think maybe a little persistence went a long way."

The league's condition was that the pick could not be traded. When asked if they could make the pick and immediately trade the selected player to another team, Andlauer wasn't sure but felt like they probably could. 

Meanwhile, with the salary cap set to spike over each of the next few seasons, Andlauer fielded questions about player payroll, and his answer should be encouraging for Senators fans.

"This is a passion of mine," he said. "Whatever it's going to take to bring a Cup to Ottawa."

That doesn't necessarily mean he'll be throwing money around in free agency. In fact, Andlauer thinks the market may not offer many attractive options that make sense.

"Because there's not enough free agents, I think people are going to want to do trades. And the fact that the cap is going up, I think there's going to be people who are going to look at that as an opportunity."

Andlauer emphasized that there's no urgency to change the game plan that has brought the Senators back to the playoffs the past two years, but he doesn't rule out offseason improvements either.

"I think there are areas that (Staios) wants to improve on," Andlauer said. "And he's focused on those things."

So, to summarize Andlauer's hockey views on Friday: He believes the Senators are stronger than they were a year ago, offseason changes are possible, he's prepared to spend what's required, he's happy to have his first-round pick back, and management has his full support.

One suspects that if the Senators fail to emerge as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender in the next couple of years, it won't be because the owner failed to do his part.

And for Sens fans, that's a nice change of pace.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News

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The Stanley Cup Final shifts to Sin City tonight as the Vegas Golden Knights play host to the Carolina Hurricanes at T-Mobile Arena for Game 3.

Carter Hart and the Golden Knights will look to rebound after blowing a late 2-0 lead in Game 2, while the Hurricanes aim to seize their first series lead of the SCF.

Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. ET as our Covers experts break down their top NHL picks and predictions for tonight's matchup.

Hurricanes vs Golden Knights expert picks tonight

Odds courtesy of BET99.

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Neil Parker's expert pick: Over 26.5 saves

Price: -115 at BET99

Vegas Golden Knights starter Carter Hart has been exceptional at T-Mobile Arena with a .929 save percentage and 6.82 goals saved above expected (GSAx) across eight postseason games.

The Carolina Hurricanes have also dominated 5-on-5 possession with a 63.3 Corsi For percentage through the first two games of the series.

I am anticipating tidier work from Hart in the Vegas crease in Game 3.

He’s dipped to an .855 SV% with -2.49 GSAx to start the Stanley Cup Final, after all, so I’m fully expecting the statistical pendulum to swing back in Hart’s favor Saturday.

This prop has my attention at a -130 price, and I’d also play it at Over 27.5 saves to -120.

Todd Cordell's expert pick: Pavel Dorofeyev Over 0.5 points

Price: -125 at BET99

Pavel Dorofeyev has yet to record a point, but all the numbers under the hood are encouraging.

The Golden Knights have won the chance battle during his minutes, and he’s been plenty involved in the offensive zone.

Dorofeyev ranks second on the team with six chances through two games. Of the seven Golden Knights with at least four opportunities, he is the only guy who hasn’t picked up a point.

He’s skating on the top line and power-play unit, creating plenty of looks, and Frederik Andersen is struggling.

I like him to break through in Game 3. Bet to -135.

Chris Faria's expert pick: Logan Stankoven anytime goal scorer

Price: +240 at BET99

Logan Stankoven has been one of the Hurricanes’ biggest breakout stars this postseason with a team-leading 10 tallies.

Eight of his goals have come at even strength, where he leads all players this postseason in shots (43). His 18 high-danger chances at even strength are tied for sixth among all skaters, and he’s had one in each game of the Final so far.

Stankoven is part of Carolina’s dangerous second line, which has been the best trio in the series. They controlled 74% of expected goals in Game 2 and 63% in Game 1.

Play Stankoven up to +200.

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More Golden Knights vs. Hurricanes Game 3 picks

• Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights prediction
• Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights props
• Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights goal scorer predictions
• Free NHL picks
• Best NHL betting sites

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The 2026 NHL draft scouting combine is underway in Buffalo, where 80 of this year’s top prospects will undergo medical and physical tests and speak with GMs and media members from around the league. 

The Florida Panthers own the ninth overall pick in the draft, and while their NHL roster features few holes, their prospect pool has been thinned by trades for stars like Seth Jones, Brad Marchand, and others.

The Panthers haven’t made a first-round selection since 2021, when they selected Mackie Samoskevich with the 24th overall pick. 

At the combine, these players complete medical tests, participate in competitions, and speak to the media; teams are taking players out to dinner to better get to know the players they could be selecting.

On Saturday, prospects Viggo Bjorck and Daxon Rudolph confirmed that the Florida Panthers had invited and taken them out for dinner.

Bjorck is a highly skilled, undersized center hailing from Sweden. He has dominated junior hockey in Sweden and internationally, while also performing at a high level in the SHL, arguably the second strongest hockey league in the world. 

Bjorck measured at 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds. Bjorck has the skill of a top-five pick, but his frame has scared teams away. 

Florida Panthers 2026 NHL Draft Targets: Alberts SmitsThe Florida Panthers will make the ninth selection in the 2026 NHL draft, and for the next month before the June 26 draft, we are going to look at which players the Panthers could target. Today’s player preview is about defenseman Alberts Smits.

As for Rudolph, he is a 6-foot-3, right-handed defenseman who posted a phenomenal offensive season with the WHL. Rudolph’s stats and defensive game are among the best in the draft, but his skating speed has held him back. His size and skill would instantly make him the top prospect in the Panthers pool. 

The Panthers are likely looking at far more players than just Bjorck and Rudolph, but if either of those players is available at pick No. 9, the Panthers can feel confident that they are selecting the best player available. 

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BUFFALO, NY -- Projected No. 1 overall pick Gavin McKenna was at the center of the 2026 NHL Combine, and rightfully so. 

How Gavin McKenna Prepared For Tough Questions At The NHL Draft Combine: 'It's How You Manage These Things'Potential No. 1 NHL draft pick Gavin McKenna has spent the past two years working with a former actor who trains prospects across sports on what to say and how to say it. That training has gone into action.

He's in the same situation that Matthew Schaefer found himself in last draft year, before the New York Islanders selected him first overall. 

McKenna knows Schaefer quite well and had glowing things to say about the Islanders' superstar. 

"We've played many tournaments together," McKenna said at the 2026 NHL Draft Combine. "He's a character. He's someone who's fun to be around. He brings a lot of energy, and it's no surprise to see how good he's doing. He's a hard worker and very talented, and very skilled. So, I think for everyone who's played with him, and who's got to know him, we are not surprised to see how well he's doing."

Schaefer was the first unanimous Calder Trophy winner since Teemu Selanee back in 1993. 

"It's pretty ridiculous to see what he's doing at such a young age," McKenna said. "To be a unanimous Calder Trophy winner, that's pretty special. What he's been through as a person and the energy he brings...he's someone who's always making people laugh, and just brings that good energy. So, I've got to give so much credit to him."

"I think he's obviously going to be an amazing player, and he's shown that."

McKenna is expected to be drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs with the first selection. 

With the Avalanche’s front office reshuffling bringing Joe Sakic back into full control, Colorado suddenly finds itself steady at the top—but staring down a series of decisions that will quietly define whether its championship window stays wide open or starts to narrow.

Chris MacFarland’s departure has shifted day-to-day authority back to Sakic, even if his fingerprints were already all over the organization’s recent direction. The core remains elite, but maintaining that status in a rising Western Conference will require precision work across contracts, roster balance, and internal stability.

Cale Makar

Cale Makar is arguably the Avalanche’s most impactful player, but Colorado isn’t built around any single name—it’s built around a group that all feeds into what they’re trying to accomplish as a team.

Still, it’s impossible to ignore how central he is to everything they do.

Eligible for an extension beginning July 1, Makar is in position to reset the market entirely for defensemen, with projections climbing into the $20 million range annually. He will be 27 at the start of the 2026-27 season, still squarely in his prime years, with the kind of runway that makes long-term investment less a question of “if” than “how much.”

Colorado’s cap outlook suggests they can make it work, with roughly $37.7 million projected for 2027-28 when a new deal would likely kick in. But the challenge isn’t just fitting Makar in—it’s building everything around him while also planning for future extensions for key pieces like Artturi Lehkonen and Nicolas Roy.

This isn’t just a contract negotiation. It’s the framework for the next era of Avalanche hockey.

Fixing The Back End With A Left-Handed Defenseman

If Makar is the centerpiece, then the real question for Colorado is what the blue line looks like around him—and right now, that’s where they still have some work to do.

One of the most obvious needs is a dependable left-handed defenseman. Not a flashy swing-for-the-fences pickup, but someone who can settle things down in the second and third pairings, take some pressure off the top guys, and survive the long grind of an 82-game season before things get even heavier in April.

Around the league, that kind of addition usually isn’t about headlines—it’s about trust. It’s the type of defenseman who can handle tough minutes, move the puck cleanly, and not get exposed when the game tightens up in the playoffs. In a win-now window, those quieter pieces often matter more than people realize.

If I were Colorado, Ryan Shea is exactly the kind of player I’d be looking at.

He’s simple in the best way. The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder, stays in the right spots, closes quickly, and uses an active stick to take away plays before they really develop. A lot of what he does doesn’t jump off the screen, but you notice it in the flow of the game—broken-up passes, plays killed early, pressure diffused before it turns into chaos.

He’s also got enough size and strength to hold his own in a bottom-four role over an NHL schedule. Add in penalty-kill ability, and you’re already checking off an important box for a contender. And when he’s moving the puck well, he’s not just throwing it away—he can make a clean first pass and help Colorado get out of their zone with control, which is something they’ve had lapses with at times.

It’s not a glamorous move, but it’s the kind of one that helps good teams stay stable when everything tightens up.

Center Depth Behind Nathan MacKinnon

No matter how strong the top of the lineup looks, depth down the middle remains the Avalanche’s most persistent concern.

Nathan MacKinnon continues to drive everything offensively, but the group behind him has yet to fully settle into reliable, consistent roles. Brock Nelson, Nazem Kadri, Nic Roy, and Jack Drury have all flashed usefulness in different situations, but the overall structure still leans heavily on MacKinnon carrying the hardest matchups and most demanding minutes.

That imbalance becomes more pronounced in the playoffs, where depth centers aren’t asked to be stars—but are expected to avoid being liabilities. Even modest improvements in that area would give Jared Bednar more flexibility in managing matchups, distributing minutes, and protecting his top players over long stretches.

For a team built to contend, it’s less about finding another headline scorer and more about closing the gaps that opponents inevitably try to expose.

Stability Behind The Bench And The Bednar Question

Beyond roster decisions, there’s another piece of stability Colorado can’t really afford to overlook—what’s happening behind the bench.

Jared Bednar has been a constant through everything the Avalanche have built, and his system is a big reason they’ve stayed in the contender conversation year after year. That’s why an extension feels less like a formality and more like something that would settle things down. It’s not about rewriting his resume—it’s about removing a question that can quietly linger as a season moves along.

Because even when everything is going well, you don’t want unnecessary uncertainty creeping in. Once a coach is heading into the final stretch of a contract, it can become a talking point whether the team wants it to or not. Locking Bednar in longer would simply take that off the board and let the focus stay on the ice.

It also helps keep things steady at a time when Colorado is already adjusting parts of the roster around a core that knows exactly what winning hockey looks like. The less distraction around the edges, the easier it is to stay locked in on the bigger goal.

With Sakic back in full control, the real question is whether that stability turns into another real push at a championship—or just another strong season that falls a little short when it matters most.

The Pittsburgh Penguins should not be afraid to add to their roster this off-season. This is especially so if an addition would have the potential to benefit them in the long-term.

When looking at trade candidates around the NHL, New York Islanders star Mathew Barzal stands out as an interesting potential option for the Penguins to target.

The Ottawa Citizen's Bruce Garrioch recently reported that the Islanders are exploring Barzal's market. With Barzal being a top-six forward who is right in his prime and locked up until the end of the 2030-31 season, it would make a lot of sense for the Penguins to at least kick tires on him. 

If the Penguins signed Barzal, he could slot nicely as their second-line center behind Sidney Crosby. Barzal centering a line with Egor Chinakhov and Evgeni Malkin would undoubtedly give Pittsburgh's forward group a real boost. 

Furthermore, with Sidney Crosby and Malkin both being in their last 30s, bringing in a star center like Barzal would make a lot of sense for the Penguins. 

In 81 games this season with the Islanders, Barzal posted 19 goals, 53 assists, and 72 points. With numbers like these, he would be a major pickup for the Penguins' top six and power play if brought in. Let's see if they target him from here because of it. 

The 2026 NHL offseason continues as the Stanley Cup Final has a maximum of five games remaining, the NHL Draft approaches, and free agency follows closely. No major transactions have been completed, but the rumor mill continues to churn. 

Discussion surrounding the Anaheim Ducks has quieted a bit now that their season is further in the rearview and most of the major national outlets' offseason trade boards have been released. 

Anaheim Ducks a Tantalizing Potential Destination for Red Wings Center Dylan Larkin

Offseason Preview: Anaheim Ducks Trade Partners/Targets, Metropolitan Division

Three items that remain in reports, rumors, and speculations are the future of young Ducks forward Mason McTavish (23), open head coaching vacancies, and the potential for a trade with the St. Louis Blues. 

Mason McTavish

Numerous NHL clubs are interested in adding to their center crop this offseason, but the list of available targets is minuscule. McTavish, as one of the few speculated as available, given his lack of production in 2025-26 and healthy scratches down the stretch, remains in potential trade discussions with reports of interested teams emerging. 

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen and TSN wrote about the potential of the Ottawa Senators acquiring McTavish. The speculation is driven by McTavish’s connection to owner Michael Andlauer and president of hockey operations and general manager Steve Staois from their time together with the then Hamilton Bulldogs. The Sens also employ McTavish’s father, Dale, as a pro scout for the organization.

In his column, Garrioch reported teams who are believed to have an interest in adding McTavish. 

“Teams have been calling to see if he’s available,” Garrioch wrote. “It’s believed the Philadelphia Flyers would be among the teams that would show interest in McTavish because they need help in the middle, along with the Montreal Canadiens. But the Senators and any other suitors for McTavish would have to be willing to pay a high price, including a first-round pick and someone who can help the Ducks immediately, although the term and money left on McTavish’s contract may lower the asking price a bit.”

Philadelphia-based writer Anthony Di Marco from Daily Faceoff furthered the connection between the Flyers and McTavish in a piece on the club’s reported interest in Ducks pending UFA defenseman John Carlson. 

“The Flyers’ top priority remains finding a center capable of playing in the top-six,” Di Marco wrote. "The options for high-end centers who are available are few and far between across the league. But two targets that the Flyers like are the Ducks’ Mason McTavish and Seattle Kraken’s Matty Beniers.”

As the draft approaches, through free agency, and likely beyond, McTavish’s name will remain a fixture in potential trade discussion and speculation unless, of course, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek states he’s unavailable or a credible report surfaces claiming the same. 

Jay Woodcroft/Coaching Vacancies

The Vancouver Canucks recently announced the hiring of new head coach Manny Malhotra, leaving just three NHL head coaching jobs vacant for the 2026-27 season: Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Vegas Golden Knights. The Los Angeles Kings have DJ Smith listed as their “interim” head coach, but they’re in the midst of a search as well. 

Conflicting reports have emerged out of Toronto on whether Ducks assistant coach Jay Woodcroft interviewed with the Maple Leafs. Insider Frank Seravalli has stated Woodcroft interviewed via Zoom with Toronto, but Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported the opposite and claimed Woodcroft is a frontrunner for the Kings’ job.

“I do not believe Toronto has asked permission to talk to him,” Friedman said on his ’32 Thoughts’ podcast. “I think it’s quite possible Toronto doesn’t ask to talk to him. He’s interviewed in LA, and I think he’s got to be a legit contender there.”

Friedman reiterated his thoughts later in the week on a more recent episode of his podcast, saying, “LA, it sounds like Jay Woodcroft and DJ Smith. But if there’s someone else there, I’m not seeing it right now.”

What it appears Friedman and Seravalli can agree on is that Woodcroft’s future as an NHL head coach to start the 2026-27 season is more of a “when,” not an “if.”

“I do believe he’s going to be a head coach in this cycle. The question is, where?” Seravalli stated on Sportsnet’s ‘Big Show with Rusic & Rose.’

The Leafs are reported to be casting a wide net when it comes to their coaching search. Names like Peter Laviolette and Patrick Roy are reported to have been interviewed, as has a blast from the Ducks’ past, Dallas Eakins. 

“He (Eakins) interviewed with the Maple Leafs,” The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta stated on the ‘Daily Faceoff Rundown’ show. “Add him officially to the list of candidates in the mix for the job in Toronto.”

Eakins coached for eight seasons in the Anaheim Ducks organization from 2015 to 2023, including four as head coach of the San Diego Gulls from 2015 to 2019 and four as head coach of the Ducks from 2019 to 2023. For the last four seasons, Eakins has been head coach and sports manager for Alder Mannheim of the DEL, Germany’s top professional men’s ice hockey league.

Ducks X Blues

Lastly, the St. Louis Blues continue to have interesting rumors swirling around them in the infancy stages of the offseason. They were the NHL’s second-worst team (tied) at the 2026 trade deadline, but finished just four points out of a playoff spot. Roster pieces like Robert Thomas (26), Jordan Kyrou (28), and Colton Parayko (33) had surfaced as options to be moved as the team shifts to a younger core.

As of Friday night, Thomas’ name can be erased from that list, as St. Louis-based reporter/host Andy Strickland tweeted, “Robert Thomas trade rumors can be put to rest,” and to expect Thomas in a Blues jersey at training camp. 

However, Kyrou and Parayko remain seemingly available, with Pagnotta continuing to link the Ducks and Blues via thefourthperiod.com.

“The Anaheim Ducks were linked to the St. Louis Blues blueliner Colton Parayko prior to the trade deadline. It wouldn’t come as a shock if these talks are revisited,” Pagnotta wrote.

The NHL Draft Combine is in full swing, an event that has become a marquee date on the NHL schedule, as all 32 teams have front office representation at the week-long event. One has to imagine temperatures will be taken, tires will be kicked, and potential frameworks for deals will be discussed.

Offseason Preview: Anaheim Ducks Trade Partners/Targets, Central Division

Offseason Preview: Anaheim Ducks Trade Partners/Targets, Atlantic Division

Offseason Preview: Anaheim Ducks Shopping List

Ducks’ Granlund, Solberg Win Medals at 2026 Men’s Worlds

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The Stanley Cup Finals head to T-Mobile Arena for a pivotal Game 3 as the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes fight for a 2-1 series lead.

Some of the top scorers in the series are still undervalued, which is why my Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights goal-scorer props highlight Pavel Dorofeyev, Logan Stankoven, and Brett Howden.

Read my full NHL picks for Saturday, June 6, below.

Hurricanes vs Golden Knights goal scorer predictions for Game 3

Goal scorer pick: Pavel Dorofeyev (+205)

Pavel Dorofeyev hasn’t found the back of the net yet in the Stanley Cup Final, but the Vegas Golden Knights winger is on the precipice of breaking out.

Dorofeyev leads all skaters in the Final in individual expected goals (0.94), with nine shot attempts and six scoring chances through the first two games.

He’s been a relatively slow starter in each series this postseason – he didn’t score until Game 4 of the first and second rounds. But when Dorofeyev does score, the goals tend to come in bunches.

I think he’s fairly priced tonight – don’t play this past +200.

Goal scorer pick: Logan Stankoven (+240)

Logan Stankoven has been one of the Carolina Hurricanes’ biggest breakout stars this postseason with a team-leading 10 tallies.

Eight of his goals have come at even strength, where he leads all players this postseason in shots (43). His 18 high-danger chances at even strength are tied for sixth among all skaters, and he’s had one in each game of the Final so far.

Stankoven is part of Carolina’s dangerous second line, which has been the best trio in the series. They controlled 74% of expected goals in Game 2 and 63% in Game 1.

Play Stankoven up to +200.

Goal scorer pick: Brett Howden (+280)

After scoring just 12 goals in the regular season, Brett Howden has been an unlikely source of offense for the Golden Knights these playoffs, leading the league with 13 tallies.

Howden has found the back of the net in each of the first two games of the Final, using his speed to get in behind the Hurricanes' defense.

His four high-danger chances at even strength are tied for the most among all skaters in the series, while his 19 high-danger looks this postseason are tops on Vegas.

I’ll play Howden’s hot hand up to +240 tonight.

Hurricanes vs Golden Knights anytime goal parlay

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