The Ducks' 2025-26 season has been over for just over a month and with the 2026 NHL Entry Draft just around the corner, it feels like a good time to start recapping this past season for each player in the organization.

Today's edition of 'By the Numbers' will feature players who wore Nos. 51-60 this season.

If you missed the previous edition of 'By the Numbers', you can click here to read it.

Olen Zellweger

Zellweger was a mainstay on the Ducks' blue line up until the tail-end of the regular season, when a couple of defensive shortcomings seemingly put him in head coach Joel Quenneville's doghouse. There was an emphasis on defensive habits, with Zellweger deployed on the penalty kill throughout the season as opposed to the power play, where his skills may have been better utilized.

Tyson Hinds' call-up and subsequent strong play left Zellweger a spectator at the end of the regular season and into the playoffs. He went an entire month without playing in a game before he re-entered the lineup out of necessity for Game 4 of their playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights. Paired with Ian Moore, he picked up a secondary assist on Moore's game-winning goal while playing mostly sheltered minutes on the bottom pair.

In Game 5, his play earned him more ice time and a promotion to the second defensive pair alongside John Carlson. He then tied the game late in the third period, though the Ducks fell in overtime. He was scoreless in Game 6 but had almost 14 minutes of ice time.

A pending RFA this summer, the Ducks appear to be at a crossroads with both Zellweger and Pavel Mintyukov, who is also an RFA. The two lefties have taken turns showing flashes of what they can become if given the proper ice time and runway. However, neither has been able to do this on a consistent basis just yet. With Jackson LaCombe entrenched as the Ducks' No. 1 on the left-hand side, it's a battle of who will be the No. 2 behind him.

Lucas Pettersson

After splitting time between the HockeyAllsvenskan and the SHL in 2024-25, Pettersson spent most of the past season with Brynäs in the SHL before finishing out the year in the AHL with the San Diego Gulls. He had 20 points in 40 games, primarily playing on the wing. Pettersson was also part of Sweden's gold medal-winning squad at World Juniors, collecting six points in six games.

Drafted as a center in the second round of the 2024 draft, Pettersson may project better as a winger due to his size (5-foot-11) and speed. He is dependable in both zones and has shown that he can contribute offensively off the rush and on the man advantage. He would be a candidate for the penalty kill as well.

As of now, it's unclear whether Pettersson will play for the Gulls in 2025-26 or return to Sweden for another season with Brynäs. The Gulls' forward depth is in flux, with Jan Myšák departed to HV71 in the SHL, Justin Bailey needing a new contract and Nikita Nesterenko and Sam Colangelo expected to be up with the Ducks full-time. If Pettersson does return to Brynäs, it would give him the chance to play either down the middle or on the wing again.

Tarin Smith

Smith was named captain of the Everett Silvertips prior to the start of the 2025-26 WHL season, his fourth full season with the club. He appeared in 60+ games for the third consecutive season, setting a new career high in assists (55) and points (71) as one half of the Silvertips' top defensive pairing.

Unfortunately, his final WHL postseason was cut short due to a dislocated shoulder that he suffered during the Silvertips' first playoff series. He will be out of the sling at the end of June and be able to resume skating in August. November is the targeted date for his full return to the ice, and he'll be doing it in the NCAA after committing to the University of Minnesota this past May.

An offensively-gifted defenseman, Smith was a finalist for the WHL Defenseman of the Year. Continued focus in the defensive zone will be a priority for him as he transitions to the collegiate game and goes up against older and stronger players.

Coulson Pitre

After spending the entire 2024-25 season with the Gulls, Pitre split the 2025-26 season between the AHL and ECHL. He was nearly a point per game player in the ECHL with the Tulsa Oilers (21 in 26 games), but failed to replicate that kind of production with the Gulls, putting up just five points in 25 games.

An upper-body injury that occurred prior to training camp kept Pitre out until almost November. After returning, he was then assigned to Tulsa, where he remained until January, when he was recalled to the Gulls. Pitre spent most of his time with the Gulls in a bottom-6 role, rotating between center and wing. His development has been hampered by injuries and he hasn't been able to carve out a consistent role with the Gulls through two full seasons.

Like 2023 second round pick Nico Myatovic, Pitre thrives in a complementary role, forechecking hard, retrieving/recovering pucks and setting up his higher-level teammates. However, it's been difficult for Pitre to find the same level of success at the AHL level that Myatovic has recently started to find.

Health will be paramount for Pitre as he enters the final year of his ELC. He could be in line for a bigger role with the Gulls this upcoming season depending on what moves are made during the summer.

Maxim Massé

Massé had his best season to date in 2025-26, setting career highs across the board. He eclipsed 100 points for the first time in his juniors career and helped lead the Chicoutimi Saguenéens to a QMJHL championship.

After four full seasons in the QMJHL, Massé will be heading to the NCAA to play for UMass. He follows in the footsteps of fellow Ducks prospects Roger McQueen, Alex Blais, Saguenéens teammate Emile Guité and the aforementioned Smith in transitioning from the CHL to the NCAA.

"It's good for the development," Massé said in an interview with THN Anaheim this past February. "We're only playing 30-40 games a season. Gaining some strength in my lower body and upper body, too, and just getting better with my skating. (The Ducks) were supporting me 100% in that."

Improving his skating, in addition to continuing to add strength, has been a focus for Massé since he was drafted by the Ducks in 2024. Playing collegiate hockey will allow him to ply his trade against older and stronger players and provide a bigger challenge than the CHL.

Yegor Sidorov

After a strong rookie season in the AHL in 2024-25 with 34 points in 59 games, Sidorov took a slight step back offensively in 2025-26. He had 29 points in 68 games while finding himself moving up and down the lineup throughout the season.

Scoring goals has never been an issue for Sidorov, who had a prolific juniors career in the WHL with the Saskatoon Blades. The big question was whether he could impact the game in other ways outside of scoring. It appears that he is still trying to find his 'B-game' after a promising start to his pro career. Sidorov was also a healthy scratch for both of the Gulls' Calder Cup Playoffs games against the Colorado Eagles, with players like scrappy forward Cal Burke getting the nod over him.

With a new coaching staff entering the picture, Sidorov could find himself in a more consistent next season. He too is in the final year of his ELC and will likely be part of the group competing for a spot on the NHL roster during training camp, with Troy Terry expected to be out until December after recently undergoing hip impingement surgery.

Sidorov was one of the final training camp cuts last season and if he once again doesn't make the cut, he could at least still be in line for a bigger role with the Gulls. Finding ways to impact the game outside of the scoresheet could help him get that.

Ethan Procyszyn

Procyszyn was a 30-goal scorer for the second consecutive season, also his second season as captain of the North Bay Battalion in the OHL. His points total dipped slightly from his career-high 64 in 2024-25, but he continued to be a driving force for the Battalion in 2025-26.

A gritty, hard-nosed forward, Procyszyn grabs points any way he can and is the true definition of a grinder. His playstyle suits the NHL game quite well, as teams are always looking for players who are willing to go the dirty areas of the ice.

Procyszyn signed his ELC in April following the conclusion of the Battalion's playoff run, though he didn't appear in any games for the Gulls. He'll be able to get his feet wet in the AHL next season as one of the Gulls' depth centers behind captain Ryan Carpenter.

Sasha Pastujov

After a surprise demotion to the ECHL to start the 2024-25 season, Pastujov returned to the AHL with a chip on his shoulder, putting up 45 points in 43 games. He built off of his strong season by leading the Gulls in points (57) in 2025-26 and also finished second on the team in goals (21).

Pastujov is a cerebral player who shows good vision and has a strong shot in his arsenal. Skating has always been the knock on him, an area that he has previously acknowledged needs work. He just completed his third full season as a professional and is a pending RFA. It's likely that he'll be tendered a qualifying offer and should be given a chance to compete for a spot on the NHL roster.

If he isn't able to crack the NHL roster, he'll slot into the Gulls' top-6 and be relied upon as one of their top playmakers.

Tyson Hinds

Another player who went through the rigors of the AHL for a few seasons before finally getting the call to the NHL, Hinds spent most of the 2025-26 season with the Gulls before being called up to the Ducks in April. He appeared in the last six games of the regular season and the first nine games of the Ducks' first playoff run since 2018 before being a healthy scratch for the final three games of the Golden Knights series. This came after logging heavy minutes as part of the Gulls' top defensive pair alongside Tristan Luneau.

Hinds fits the mold of the modern-day stay-at-home defenseman, a mobile defender who uses his length and skating to take away lanes and knock the puck away. He fared well (for the most part) alongside whoever his defensive partner was and wasn't afraid to activate offensively when the opportunity called for it.

He is a pending RFA and will likely be tendered a qualifying offer. The left side of the Ducks' defense is a bit crowded at the moment, so it's difficult to envision there being a regular spot for Hinds. But he showed that he is ready to be an everyday NHLer and could find a role as the seventh defenseman.

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EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — The Edmonton Oilers re-signed defenseman Connor Murphy to a five-year contract worth $20.5 million on Monday.

The team announced the deal roughly 24 hours after extending center Jason Dickinson for the next five seasons at $20 million. Murphy and Dickinson joined Edmonton in separate deals from Chicago as pending unrestricted free agents ahead of the trade deadline in early March.

Murphy, like Dickinson, improved the Oilers’ ability to keep the puck out of their own net. Their goals-against average was 3.34 in the 62 games before acquiring them and dropped to 2.90 in the final 20 games of the regular season with them.

That number shot up to 4.33 in a first-round loss to Anaheim, though that also included goaltenders Tristan Jarry and Connor Ingram combining for a playoff-worst .866 save percentage.

General manager Stan Bowman could address the goaltending situation via trade or free agency, and he and the front office need to hire a coach after firing Kris Knoblauch, who led consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup in 2024 and '25.

Re-signing Murphy, 33, is part of the organization's commitment to being better defensively in an effort to finally get Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl their first championship after more than a decade in the NHL together. Murphy has skated in 840 games in the league with the Coyotes, Blackhawks and Oilers.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL

A blockbuster like the Brady Tkachuk deal doesn’t just change rosters—it changes what the rest of the league thinks is possible.

For the Colorado Avalanche, the ripple effects of Tkachuk’s move to the Florida Panthers on Sunday are impossible to ignore. Ottawa landed a haul headlined by the No. 9 and No. 25 picks in the 2026 NHL Draft, along with a conditional first-round selection in 2029 and a second-round pick in 2027. The No. 25 pick, notably, was flipped earlier in the day by Florida in a separate move involving Seattle and forward Mackie Samoskevich.

And when a package like that moves for a player of Tkachuk’s caliber, it naturally resets the conversation around what elite, high-impact forwards are worth across the league.

For the Avalanche, that inevitably circles back to Valeri Nichushkin.

In recent days, The Hockey News has explored the idea of whether Colorado should even consider moving him—ultimately leaning toward the idea that the organization would be better served evaluating him for at least another half-season before making any long-term decision. But trades like this reopen the door to more aggressive thinking.

What would it look like if Colorado explored a package built around Nichushkin—and potentially cash considerations—for the No. 9 overall pick? Even if that’s ambitious, a pivot toward something closer to No. 25 might be more realistic depending on how the market evolves. Either way, the Avalanche are in a position where adding draft capital has value after years of dealing picks away in win-now moves.

Ottawa’s return underscores that point: the No. 9 pick, the No. 25 pick, a conditional first-round selection in the 2029 NHL Draft, and a second-round pick in 2027.

And that’s before factoring in how quickly a market like this can get crowded. There are 30 other front offices looking at the same framework, and inevitably, someone will try to replicate it with their own roster calculus.

From Colorado’s perspective, the upside isn’t just the pick—it’s flexibility. Moving Nichushkin would also mean shedding his contract structure, which is notably front-loaded. While his $6.125 million cap hit remains the same, the Avalanche would be responsible for just under $5 million in actual salary this season. That kind of financial space can be just as valuable as the draft assets themselves if it opens the door to another impact player.

And that’s where another name enters the conversation.

Per NHL insider David Pagnotta, Mason Marchment is expected to test the free agent market. That alone is going to draw mixed reactions from Avalanche fans—some will see the fit immediately, others probably won’t be thrilled with the idea given how he’s played against Colorado in the past.

But stylistically, he’s exactly the type of player this roster has lacked at times: big, physical, heavy on the puck, and capable of scoring goals while changing the tone of a playoff series. The Avalanche found out first-hand against Vegas what happens when a series turns into a war of attrition rather than skill. Marchment fits firmly on the “make it miserable to play against” spectrum, and those are the kinds of players contenders tend to circle back to.

Marchment’s last contract was a four-year, $18 million deal ($4.5 million AAV). If the Avalanche move Nichushkin or find another way to offload salary, they would be positioned to comfortably afford him. And with the salary cap continuing to rise, Marchment’s next deal would likely come in higher than his previous contract, reflecting both market growth and his role as a physical, middle-six impact forward.

This is where another layer of context matters. Marchment’s name already carries a reputation in Colorado circles for being a thorn in their side, and he’s the kind of player teams don’t forget easily once the stakes rise.

Marchment arguably changed the tone of the 2024 postseason when a heavy hit on Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman knocked him out of the playoffs, before Edmonton eventually fell to the Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final.

This is where the broader roster idea starts to take shape. If Colorado does move Nichushkin, even partially to recoup draft capital, it opens a dual path: replenishing the prospect pool while also giving the front office flexibility to chase a different type of impact forward in free agency or trade.

Instead of your highest pick coming in the third round, maybe there’s a chance to step into the first two rounds again—targeting players like Alberts Šmits, the No. 2-ranked international skater by NHL Central Scouting, or potentially, if Colorado lands a pick in the mid-first range, someone like Ilya Morozov.

It becomes a balance of present and future. Not one or the other.

Yes, completely aware that Mason Marchment has been an absolute pain in Colorado’s side in past matchups, and Josh Manson has had his grievances with him over the years. The first day of practice might feel a bit like a therapy session with Draymond Green in the room, but the underlying question is whether Colorado is ready to keep getting outmuscled by teams built for playoff trench warfare.

The Avalanche have tried to win with skill and structure. The question now is whether the next step requires a little more edge.

And whether that edge comes through a trade, free agency, or both, it’s exactly the type of decision Joe Sakic and the front office are going to have to weigh this offseason.

St. Louis native Brady Tkachuk was dealt to the Florida Panthers in a blockbuster deal on Sunday, joining his brother Matthew on the 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cup champions.

The trade came as a shock, as most rumors surrounding the former Ottawa Senators captain had gone quiet.

What might come as an even bigger shock to St. Louis Blues fans is that Tkachuk was unwilling to be traded to St. Louis.

According to a post by The Athletic’s Jim Rutherford, GM Doug Armstrong said the Blues inquired about Tkachuk’s availability, but were told that they were not one of the teams the 26-year-old was willing to be traded to. 

That’s a punch in the gut for the Blues, as Keith Tkachuk, the father of Brady, played nine seasons with the Blues, scoring 208 goals and 427 points in 543 games. The Tkachuk brothers have spoken highly about their time growing up in St. Louis, but clearly not enough to play for the franchise. 

While it must hurt for Blues fans to hear this, it’s not hard to understand why. Tkachuk is looking to play meaningful hockey and play in the post-season. While nothing is guaranteed, the Panthers are far closer to being a playoff team next year than the Blues are. 

Their roster is built to win Stanley Cups, while the Blues are in the middle ground, not knowing whether to rebuild or go all in. 

Panthers Acquire Brady Tkachuk From Ottawa In Blockbuster Trade Florida weaponizes newfound draft capital to unite the Tkachuk brothers in Sunrise, fortifying a championship roster for another aggressive pursuit of NHL dominance.

Tkachuk was in a situation with Ottawa where they were stagnant, unable to get over the hump. They made the playoffs just twice in his eight-year NHL career and were unable to go beyond the first round. They were swept in the 2025-26 playoffs, and although they won two games in the 2024-25 playoffs, they found themselves down 3-0 in the series.

Coming to St. Louis would have been a linear move, or even possibly a backwards move for Tkachuk. Going to Florida opens a Stanley Cup window for the Olympic gold medalist. 

Aside from Florida, Tkachuk’s trade list included the Vegas Golden Knights, Minnesota Wild, and Carolina Hurricanes. 

The Blues have once again struck out when chasing a big-name trade option, which only adds to the fuel of uncertainty about which direction this team is heading.

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Andre Tourigny isn’t going anywhere—and this time, Utah made sure of it in a much more meaningful way than initially understood.

What was first reported by The Fourth Period and Daily Faceoff insider Dave Pagnotta as a one-year extension has since been clarified: the Utah Mammoth have instead signed Tourigny to a multi-year contract extension, securing their head coach well into the next phase of the franchise’s growth.

The move removes any ambiguity around his future and signals clear organizational belief in the coach who has guided the Mammoth from early-stage rebuild to a legitimate playoff team.

Tourigny was entering the final year of his previous contract in 2026-27, a situation that often creates noise around a coaching staff heading into an important stretch. Utah instead opted to eliminate that uncertainty entirely, locking in continuity behind the bench as the roster continues to mature.

Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

The extension comes on the heels of the most successful season in the franchise’s brief Utah era. The Mammoth finished 43-33-6, earning fourth place in the Central Division and a Western Conference Wild Card berth—marking the organization’s first playoff appearance since relocating.

Their postseason run was short but revealing. Utah grabbed a 2-1 series lead over the eventual Western Conference champion Vegas Golden Knights before ultimately falling in six games. While the exit stung, it also underscored a growing internal reality: this team is no longer solely projecting future competitiveness—it is already beginning to test it.

Across five seasons behind the bench dating back to the Arizona Coyotes era, Tourigny has compiled a 170-195-45 record. The raw numbers don’t tell a simple success story, but they do reflect something the organization values more—steady progression through a prolonged rebuild and the development of a young core that has finally started to deliver results.

Few coaches have lasted longer in today’s NHL landscape. Only Jon Cooper, Jared Bednar, and Rod Brind’Amour have had longer continuous tenures. And while the NHL officially treats Utah as a separate expansion-era franchise, meaning Tourigny’s “Utah tenure” is technically just two seasons, his influence spans the entire organizational transition.

What matters most inside the building is trajectory.

“André and Blaine have both been instrumental in building the foundation for our organization and will be critical in our continued success and leadership moving forward,” general manager Bill Armstrong said. “André is an excellent leader, communicator, and person, who is extremely well respected by our players and our staff.”

Utah also confirmed multi-year extensions for assistant coach Blaine Forsythe while adding Adam Foote to the coaching staff.

Forsythe remains a key part of the structure despite a down year for the power play. Over his tenure, Utah’s man advantage has generally ranked in the top half of the league, including a top-10 finish during the 2024-25 season, and continues to be viewed internally as a stabilizing strength.

“Blaine’s an experienced, knowledgeable, and Stanley Cup-winning coach who has a strong body of work running the power play,” Armstrong said.

Foote, a two-time Stanley Cup champion and 2002 Olympic gold medalist, joins the staff following a brief head coaching stint with the Vancouver Canucks. His arrival is expected to bring a different voice and added experience to the room.

“We are also thrilled to have Adam, a two-time Stanley Cup champion and 2002 Olympic gold medalist right here in Salt Lake, join the organization and bring a fresh perspective to our room backed by years of experience as both a player and coach,” Armstrong added. “This is another exciting day for the organization.”

The foundation isn’t being reconsidered—it’s being reinforced. And at the center of it remains the same coach who helped build it from the ground up.

The Columbus Blue Jackets own the 14th pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Let's take a look at the history of that draft position for the CBJ.  

Some notable picks around the league at #14 are Charlie McAvoy, Brent Seabrook, Jake DeBrusk, and Devan Dubnyk. 

Alexander Wennberg - 14th in the 2013 Draft - Wennberg was drafted in the 1st round of the 2013 NHL Draft as the 14th overall draft pick.

Wennberg came to North America and made his NHL Debut in 2014. After having three decent seasons, including a 59-point year in 2016-17, Wennberg was signed to a six-year deal on September 1st, 2017. 

Tom Wilson would seemingly derail Wennberg's career in the 2018 playoffs when he laid a devastating check on him. The next two seasons, Wennberg would only total 47 points. In October of 2020, the CBJ would buy Wennberg out, making him a free agent. 

In addition to playing with the Florida Panthers since leaving Columbus, He's played for the Seattle Kraken, New York Rangers, and San Jose Sharks. After the 59-point season he had in 2016-17, Wennberg failed to score more than 38 points in a single season. That streak was stopped last season, when he scored 18 goals and had 55 points for San Jose. 

Jackson Smith - 14th in the 2025 NHL Draft - Smith was announced as the 14th pick by Johnny Gaudreau's widow, Meredith, at the 2025 NHL Draft and instantly became a fan favorite.

Jackson Smith is an elite freshman defenseman for the Penn State men’s ice hockey team. A native of Calgary, Alberta, he made program history as the first-ever first-round selection for the Nittany Lions, having been drafted 14th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2025 NHL Draft.

The youngster paced all Big Ten blueliners in points and broke the Penn State program record for the most single-season goals by a defenseman. He totaled 54 points and had 43 assists. 

The Blue Jackets seem to be open to trading the 14th pick this year, much like they were last year as well. But that's easier said than done in today's NHL. 

Can Waddell get a deal done involving the 14th pick? We won't know for a few days, but if they don't, they're sure to get a pretty good draft pick as well. 

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Next Up For Columbus: The NHL Draft is on June 26 and 27 in Buffalo, where the CBJ will own pick #14.   

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Officially, Philadelphia Flyers hockey returns in less than three months with the team announcing its 2026 preseason schedule on Monday morning.

Now, the special new novelty with this year's preseason slate, for all NHL teams, is that it is two games shorter, with the NHL instead opting for two more regular season games.

The 2026-27 regular season will now be 84 games long.

As a result, the Flyers only play two teams in the preseason this year: the Washington Capitals and the Boston Bruins.

Here's the full schedule, as announced by the Flyers:

Monday, Sept. 21 at Washington Capitals at 7 p.m.

Note: This Sept. 21 game at Washington will be played at the GIANT Center in Hershey, PA.

Tuesday, Sept. 22 at Boston Bruins at 7 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 24 vs. Boston Bruins at 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 26 vs. Washington Capitals at 5 p.m.

Exclusive Q&A: Flyers GM Danny Briere on Matthew Schaefer's Calder, Top Prospects, and Free AgencyIn an interview with The Hockey News, Philadelphia Flyers general manager Danny Briere discusses his top prospects, former players, free agency, and more.

The 2026 preseason will represent the first opportunity for Flyers fans to see new trade additions Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit in action for Philadelphia, as well as any other exciting players the team adds in free agency, the 2026 NHL Draft, or another trade.

Officially, the offseason will get underway on Friday, when the Flyers pick 21st overall in the draft.

On July 1, free agency opens, and then the Flyers are off to the races towards their preseason dates.

On June 22, 2021, Montreal Canadiens rookie Cole Caufield had the first of many milestone nights. In a third-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights, the winger became the first rookie since P.K. Subban in 2010 to score at least eight points with the Habs in a single playoff tournament.

The Canadiens would go on to eliminate the Golden Knights three days later, on St-Jean-Baptiste, to book their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Caufield would finish the tourney with 12 points in 20 games, a very successful first taste of playoff action, but like the rest of the Habs, he would then go four years before seeing any postseason action.

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Still, it’s been all about progress for the sniper since then, and this last season, the NHL had to acknowledge just how important a role he is playing with the Habs as he gave Nathan MacKinnon a run for his money for the Rocket Richard Trophy, awarded annually to the league’s best goal scorer. The diminutive winger pocketed 51 lamplighters this year, and it feels like we’ve yet to see his ceiling.

While his size has so far prevented him from finding his way on Team USA, it’s hard to imagine that he will never get his opportunity, especially since he forced the other markets to take notice this season, as evidenced by his Lady Bing Trophy win.

Caufield is under contract with the Canadiens for the next five seasons, and if the Habs are to finally be successful in the quest for their 25th Stanley Cup, they will need him to be at the top of his game. It will be interesting to see what he comes up with next season after establishing career-best numbers in both goals and points and tying his career-best numbers in assists.

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Real conversations are happening regarding defenseman Morgan Rielly and his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs. After 13 seasons in Toronto, and the longest active tenured player for the team, it could be the end of the line for Rielly and the Maple Leafs this off-season.

However, a breakup between both parties isn't as simple as it may seem, and that's because of Rielly's contract. The 32-year-old  is entering the fifth year of an eight-year contract and earns $7.5 million against the salary cap. In addition, he has a no-move clause in his deal, which allows the player to dictate where he goes next if he were to get traded.

With all that in mind, the complications of Rielly's situation and contract would factor into a potential trade and could hinder what the Maple Leafs receive, depending on the trade partner and what that other team may be interested in.

To anticipate what Toronto should expect in return if they dealt Rielly this summer, let's go through some previous examples of notable defensemen on unpopular contracts that were traded, or players who had trade protection and got moved anyway in recent memory.

Could Morgan Rielly And Matthew Knies Be Next Out The Door For Maple Leafs?Toronto Maple Leafs GM John Chayka has made his imprint on the roster with a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers. If he plans on making another big move this off-season, Morgan Rielly and Matthew Knies are likely next in line.

It doesn't take a deep search to find a recent example of when a player with a no-move clause was traded. In fact, it happened before last year's Olympic break when the New York Rangers traded Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings.

Because Panarin had a say in where he wanted to end up, the Rangers were practically forced into a deal in which they probably could've garnered more assets elsewhere if Panarin had no trade protection.

In the end, New York received a solid prospect in Liam Greentree, as well as a 2026 third-round pick and a 2028 fourth-round pick.

Jim Hiller Must Believe In Maple Leafs Youngsters More Than He Did With KingsJim Hiller's track record in developing young players isn't the best. That's going to have to change with players such as Easton Cowan, Matthew Knies, Emil Andrae and the 2026 first overall pick potentially in the lineup next year. Here's how Hiller fared with the Los Angeles Kings in that aspect.

It's worth noting that Panarin's situation is very different, considering he was on an expiring deal and is a top-five scorer in the NHL over the course of the past decade. Nonetheless, that's how a no-move clause can affect the return in a trade.

There are multiple other ways to go about trading a player with a no-move clause or with an unpopular contract. Salary retention can certainly help with that.

The Florida Panthers acquired defenseman Seth Jones from the Chicago Blackhawks in 2024-25. Jones' game was really dropping in the latter stages of his tenure in Chicago, and at his $9.5-million cap hit.

However, the Panthers found a way to get Jones with the Blackhawks retaining $2.5 million of his contract. In the process, Florida sent goaltender Spencer Knight and a 2026 first-round pick. That's quite the return for Jones, who was coming off some of the worst campaigns of his NHL career in Chicago.

And though many teams would be hesitant to retain any salary on a long-term contract like Jones' (expires after 2029-30), it doesn't mean something can't be worked out. Like Jones, Rielly's contract also expires through the 2029-30 season with a no-movement clause attached.

Report: Maple Leafs' John Chayka, Mats Sundin Talking With Morgan Rielly's Representative About Off-Season PlansFor what seems like a possible end for Morgan Rielly's career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, conversations between the defenseman and GM John Chayka and senior executive advisor Mats Sundin are reportedly "ongoing."

Another defenseman who was once in a similar situation to Rielly is Jacob Trouba of the Anaheim Ducks. Although this deal comes without salary retention.

Ahead of the 2019-20 season, Trouba inked a seven-year contract with the Rangers at $8 million per season. Not long after, it would be seen that Trouba did not play up to his dollar value, and when a highly-paid player can't perform to expectations, questions come to the surface.

Eventually, Trouba was traded to the Ducks through his 15-team no-trade list at the time, and New York didn't receive much in return. The Rangers received defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and a fourth-round pick in the 2025 draft.

There is a wide range of what can go down when a player needs a change of scenery. Sometimes, both parties in a trade walk away happy, or the team parting with the big-name player is handicapped by a bad contract or a trade-protection clause.

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The St. Louis Blues’ involvement in trade rumors continues to grow, with the most recent link connecting them to Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson. 

According to CHEK’s Rick Dhaliwal, he’s hearing that the Blues are “sniffing around” in trade discussions involving Pettersson. 

“Somebody told me this morning that St. Louis is sniffing around Pettersson,” said Dhaliwal. “I’m looking into it to see if it’s true. The way it’s been told to me is if the Canucks think they have a deal for Pettersson that makes sense for them, I am sure they will then take that deal to Pettersson’s agents, J.P. Barry and Pat Brisson, to see if Pettersson will waive.”

The reports are interesting to say the least. While trading for Pettersson would have its benefits, as it truly gives the Blues a strong one-two punch down the middle of the ice, Pettersson is now 27 years old and carries a contract worth $11.6 million for six more seasons. 

The Blues would need to drastically alter their lineup to become contenders, and unless they do so, trading for Pettersson would only upgrade their roster marginally, and not enough to compete with the best teams in the Central Division, like the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, and even the Utah Mammoth. 

27 is not old in the slightest, but by the time the Blues are ready to compete again, Pettersson could be trending towards the downswing of his career, which brings plenty of risk. 

Top Four NHL Center Trade Candidates Of 2026 Off-SeasonWho are the top four centers who could be traded this summer during the 2026 NHL off-season?

Add to the fact that the two worst seasons of his NHL career have come in his last two campaigns, and it brings another element of uncertainty and risk. 

The Canucks are open to retaining some of Pettersson’s salary, which does soften the blow of making such a monumental move.

In addition to the Blues, the Detroit Red Wings and Los Angeles Kings are reportedly interested in Pettersson, while other teams around the NHL could explore trade options once a price tag becomes clearer. 

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The Ottawa Senators shook the NHL to its core on Father's Day, trading away their captain, Brady Tkachuk, to the Florida Panthers in exchange for the 9th overall pick, the 25th overall pick, a 2029 first-round pick, and a 2027 second-round pick.

The move ranks among the most seismic trades in recent memory. Tkachuk had two years left on his contract and was slated to hit free agency in 2028.

One Year After Noah Dobson, Another NHL Franchise Makes A Blockbuster Draft-Week TradeThe Florida Panthers shook the hockey world by acquiring Brady Tkachuk, sparking a sibling reunion and setting a high bar for value ahead of the draft.

There had always been noise about Tkachuk maybe not wanting to commit to Ottawa, or wanting to leave via free agency in 2028.

Publicly, Tkachuk always said the right things, declaring loyalty to Ottawa as its captain.

Still, behind closed doors, Tkachuk reportedly remained uncertain. According to Elliotte Friedman, when Senators General Manager Steve Staios met with Tkachuk and his camp following the end of this season to gauge interest in extending, there wasn't certainty.

The uncertainty was something Ottawa could not live with, and they quietly began exploring the market for him.

Tkachuk holds a full no-move clause, so he handpicked the usual suspects-Florida, Vegas, Minnesota, and Carolina-with almost everyone involved knowing he wanted to unite with his brother Matthew in Florida.

Staios received a massive haul for Tkachuk, setting Ottawa up to immediately acquire a game-changer to keep their opening window of contention going.

It's something out of an alternate universe for the New York Islanders.

Back in 2016, the Islanders had just won their first playoff series in over 20 years. The vibes were great, and the team felt like they were on an upswing.

That summer, talk quietly began in Canadian markets, specifically Toronto and Montreal, about John Tavares becoming a massive free-agent target in two years' time.

At the time, the New York Islanders dismissed it and kept trying to build upon the success of the 2015-16 season.

Tavares had a no-move clause, which was modified to a no-trade clause that kicked in on July 1, 2016.

Then, in 2016-17, the team missed the playoffs. The Islanders had one year until Tavares hit free agency. When then-general manager Garth Snow presented options, Tavares refused to commit to the Islanders. 

Publicly, Tavares said everything right. Behind closed doors, uncertainty grew. Tavares had a list of teams he would accept a trade to; there's no question.

Unlike Ottawa, the Islanders took their chances, hoping a strong 2017-18 season would convince Tavares to stay.

Instead, the team regressed even further. They held two first-round picks for the 2018 draft entering the season, thanks to the Travis Hamonic trade with the Calgary Flames at the 2017 Draft.

So, with renewed optimism and assets to dangle, the Islanders hoped 2017-18 would go well.

It did not. The Islanders were not in contention for the playoffs most of the season, but hung around just enough to leave a little doubt.

At the 2018 trade deadline, Tomas Tatar went for a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round picks. Evander Kane went for a 1st and a 4th. Ryan Hartman went for a 1st, 4th, and a prospect. 

Paul Stasney, the top center dealt on deadline day, went for a 1st, 4th, and a prospect.

Seven first-round picks changed hands at the 2018 deadline, with teams eager to wheel and deal.

The Islanders stood pat, and just months later, John Tavares walked away for nothing.

It was a total catastrophe for the Islanders, one that could've set the Islanders back for a very long time.

If not for a pair of Hall of Famers arriving that same summer in Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz, the Islanders could've seen their young core featuring the emerging Mathew Barzal, Brock Nelson, Adam Pelech, Ryan Pulock, and more all go to waste.

While it all ended up working out ok for the Islanders, it's still worth thinking about what could have been had the Islanders stockpiled assets for Tavares, a player who would've fetched the Islanders two first-round picks and more just at the 2018 deadline, let alone a year or two in advance of free agency.

Ottawa, with their trade of Brady Tkachuk yesterday, claimed complete control of the situation this entire summer. 

No leaks, no hints this was coming.

Just a quiet, efficient business that ends with three first-round picks to go out and get a different playmaker, one who wants to make it work in Ottawa.

The Florida Panthers are a much scarier team than they were a week ago. The NHL was stunned on Sunday by the news that the Ottawa Senators were trading Brady Tkachuk to the Panthers in exchange for three first-round picks (two in 2026 and one in 2027), as well as a second-round pick in the upcoming draft. It’s a mammoth deal that unites the Tkachuk brothers on one team, gives Florida the scariest three-line offensive depth chart in the NHL, and seemingly puts them on a collision course with another Stanley Cup run. The near-universal reaction to the trade was some variation of “they’re going to be unbeatable for years.

Just one problem: the Stanley Cup isn’t won on paper. In making the deal, we have a Panthers team that is accentuating its strengths, but also opening up its weaknesses even further. They are now a team that is wholly reliant on a handful of superstars to get the job done, killing what little depth they had in the process. As easy as it is to opine that Florida is now “unbeatable,” they have some significant issues holding them back.

No. 1: What is this team doing in goal?

There is a mammoth question mark in net for Florida as they prepare for the 2026-27 season. Veteran legend Sergei Bobrovsky is coming off a down season, but still remains the best clutch playoff goaltender in the NHL by a significant margin.

The goaltending problem is compounded by the fact that backup Daniil Tarasov is also an unrestricted free agent. If the Panthers try to re-sign him it would be with the understanding that he would become the starter, which means he’s going to want starter money — and that’s an iffy prospect because Tarasov hasn’t neccesarily shown the ability to be “the guy” in net.

That brings us back to Bobrovsky, and any hopes that Florida would get him to take a hometown discount are out the window. Bob is reportedly looking for a multi-year, $42M deal at age 37, wanting something in the $6-7M AAV range is simply impossible for the Panthers, as is any dream of making another trade to somehow land Connor Hellebuyck from the Jets. That’s because …

No. 2: The Panthers have put themselves in a dangerous cap position

Florida was in good shape prior to the Brady Tkachuk trade to be able to make some smart deals and bolster their roster at several positions. Instead, this deal essentially made the Panthers stronger at their best position, without allocating resources to their other needs.

As it stands, the Panthers have $7.5M in open cap space and significant holes they need to patch. The goaltending is a mammoth problem, but so is their back-line depth. This Brady Tkachuk deal could have priced them out of both making a deal for Hellebuyck, as well as reliably retaining A.J. Greer — who will have suitors in the open market. This is compounded by the fact that they have now opened up multiple high-value prospects to being poached through RFA, with teams knowing the Panthers are in a vulnerable cap spot.

Ben Steeves showed enormous AHL promise this season while playing for the Charlotte Checkers. Steeves made his first All-Star Game and registered 45 points in 72 games. The 24-year-old forward figured to be part of the Panthers’ long-term plans, but now he could easily be signed for a mid-level contract that would put him out of range that Florida could match, but not give them great compensation either. The same could happen with Mikulus Hovorka.

If the Panthers want to actually solve their net problem by trading for Hellebuyck, it will require clearing salary. Reports are that the team nixed any discussion of Anton Lundell to the Senators in the Tkachuk deal, which could mean they intend to hold him for a separate trade — but that doesn’t sound great either from a roster perspective. Let’s assume they find a way to get Hellebuyck for Lundell (and something). They will have essentially traded one of the best young forechecking centers in the NHL for Brady Tkachuk, changing their forward dynamic — while getting only slightly better in goal. That seems like a really iffy tactic.

No. 3: … if they’re healthy

The huge caveat to the Panthers’ chances is “if they’re healthy.” It’s a refrain you tend to hear a lot when it comes to the Florida Panthers. They would have won this year “if they were healthy,” they will win for the next four years — “if they can stay healthy.”

Florida can’t stay healthy. This isn’t a genie that can be stuffed back in the lamp. Numerous skaters at numerous positions have established injury concerns, and the physical way the Panthers play isn’t going to make that easier.

Sam Bennett hasn’t played a full regular season in a decade. Matthew Tkachuk is still coming back from surgery. Brad Marchand was hurt in 2025-26, and he’s also 37-years-old. None of these are really issues in isolation, but there are going to be injuries when you go so profoundly all-in on stars while requiring them to play physical, Florida Panthers hockey.

Imagining a world where the Panthers are always healthy just isn’t a reality at this point. Will their injuries be as bad as last season? Probably not, but something will pop up and the depth has never been more thin than it is right now.

The Brady Tkachuk trade is a make-or-break for next season

Florida pushed all its chips to the middle, and they’re going for it. On paper, the roster looks absolutely terrifying, with the Panthers leveraging their winning pedigree and their state’s tax-free status to assemble a unit that nobody else could. The issue is that they have left themselves open on various fronts to see it all go up in smoke.

Brady Tkachuk is a good player, but he’s not his brother. The Panthers made a superstar-level trade for a player who isn’t a superstar. The hope is that Brady will have a Mitch Marner-esque breakout now that he has fresh scenery, but that is wishful thinking. The likelihood is that he will be a very good player for Florida and add to the team’s overall ethos — but it’s difficult to fall head-over-heels in love with the trade, considering what they have lost and will lose because of getting Brady Tkachuk.

Like any all-in deal: If they win the cup next year it’s worth it, anything less will have made this trade a failure.

A blockbuster trade hit the NHL world on Father’s Day with the Ottawa Senators sending Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers for a bundle of draft picks, including both of Florida’s first-round picks in this week’s draft. The former Ottawa captain joins his brother Matthew in Florida.

While the trade itself isn’t all that surprising, the timing of the move was never quite clear. Tkachuk has two years remaining on his seven-year, $57.5 million contract, so it wasn’t inevitable that Tkachuk would be moved this summer. But at some point, Ottawa got the message from Tkachuk and his agent.

In recent weeks, Tkachuk’s agent, Craig Oster of Newport Sports, had conversations with Senators general manager Steven Staios about the captain’s future. At some point, it was conveyed that Tkachuk wouldn’t look to re-sign with the team when his contract expires in 2028, and that the Senators should get ahead on trading their captain, according to The Athletic.

It’s a similar sentiment to the one conveyed to the Vancouver Canucks when they traded captain Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild in December. Had the Sens waited too long, they might’ve put themselves in a situation similar to the one the Rangers faced with Artemi Panarin, who began the 2025-26 season on the final year of his contract. The Rangers sent Panarin, who had a no-move clause, to the Los Angeles Kings in February for a lackluster return of prospect Liam Greentree and a conditional 2026 third-rounder.

Oster presented four teams where Tkachuk would consider accepting a trade: the Panthers, the Wild, the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights, per The Athletic. Florida has one thing that the other three teams, while all very attractive destinations, cannot replicate, and that’s the presence of Matthew Tkachuk.

By making a move early, the Senators eliminate the possibility of locker-room distraction and potential turmoil surrounding their captain, and they develop for the future or have assets to play with in the trade market with multiple picks.

Tkachuk gets to play with his brother on a team that will surely be back in contention and leaves Canada, where he was booed in Edmonton and Calgary every time he touched the puck after returning from the Milan Olympics.

Tkachuk’s move is just the start of what is sure to be a busy summer around the NHL.

One of the Chicago Blackhawks' top needs this off-season should be to add another left-shot defenseman to their roster. It is clear that the left side of their blueline could use a boost as they look to take a step forward in 2026-27.

When looking at this year's pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs), Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Ryan Shea stands out as an interesting potential option for the Blackhawks to consider. 

Shea just had a big breakout year for the Penguins in 2025-26, posting new career highs with six goals, 25 assists, 35 points, and a plus-30 rating in 80 games. With numbers like these, he would have the potential to be a nice pickup for a Blackhawks club that needs help on its blueline. 

Besides seeing a surge with his offense this season, Shea's steady defensive play also led to him receiving time on the Penguins' penalty kill. He could hold a similar role with the Blackhawks if signed as well.

Overall, with the Blackhawks needing some help on their blueline, it could make sense for them bring in Shea. He would give them an upgrade on their bottom pairing at a minimum, but he also could move up to to their top four if needed.