CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 14: Chicago Wolves defenseman Juuso Välimäki (4) celebrates with Chicago Wolves forward Bradly Nadeau (82) after scoring a goal during game two of the AHL Calder Cup Finals between the Toronto Marlies and the Chicago Wolves on June 14, 2026, at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Carolina Hurricanes announced Wednesday evening the re-signing of Chicago defenseman, Juuso Valimaki. His new contract will pay him $900,00 next season, whether he plays in the NHL or AHL.
Valimaki has plenty of NHL experience and is a previous first round draft pick by Calgary, (16th overall in 2017). He will probably be battling Charles Alexis Legault and Joel Nystrom for the seventh spot on the Carolina blueline, (as things are now).
The official press release is below:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 24, 2026
‘CANES SIGN JUUSO VALIMAKI TO ONE-YEAR CONTRACT
Defenseman has registered 72 points (11g, 61a) in 271 career NHL games
RALEIGH, NC – Eric Tulsky, General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has signed defenseman Juuso Valimaki to a one-year contract. The deal will pay Valimaki $900,000 for the 2026-27 season.
Valimaki, 27, was acquired by the Hurricanes on Jan. 5 in exchange for future considerations. The Tampere, Finland native split the 2025-26 season between Tucson and Chicago in the American Hockey League (AHL), totaling 23 points (7g, 16a) in 27 regular-season games, and adding 14 points (5g, 9a) in 21 playoff games to help the Chicago Wolves reach the Calder Cup Final. Originally selected by the Calgary Flames in the first round, 16th overall at the 2017 NHL Draft, Valimaki has appeared in 271 career NHL games with Calgary, Arizona and Utah, totaling 72 points (11g, 61a). He has registered 55 points (13g, 42a) in 83 career AHL games with Stockton, Tucson and Chicago. Prior to turning professional, Valimaki spent three seasons in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with Tri-City, tallying 138 points (40g, 98a) and 92 penalty minutes in 159 games. He was named to the WHL West Second All-Star Team in 2017 and 2018.
Looking The Part—Dec 1, 2023 - VOL. 77, Issue. 07 - Carol Schram
SARTORIALLY, TANNER Molendyk should breeze through the adjustment from the WHL to the NHL.
Both his Saskatoon Blades and the Nashville Predators, who drafted him 24th overall in June, share a color scheme of blue, gold and white on their uniforms. So don’t blink, lest you mistake an image or video of him shutting down elite scorers as a leader on one of the WHL’s best bluelines with the footage of him accepting his first pro jersey in June or making his NHL pre-season debut less than three months later.
It was a split-squad day for the Predators and Florida Panthers on Sept. 25. Molendyk found himself in Sunrise with the assignment of defending a star-studded group of Stanley Cup finalists, including Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett. “I walked in the room, and I didn’t know what to expect,” Molendyk said. “I had no idea who they’re going to play. I looked at the lineup sheet, and I saw those names. I started shaking a little bit.”
Once the initial shock wore off, the 18-year-old embraced the moment and put his skills to the test – with positive results. “I thought I did good,” he said. “I thought I played my game. I kept guys to the outside, and I was up in the rush a bunch.”
Molendyk’s toolbox includes sublime skating, impressive edgework and natural athleticism, all traits that helped him rank high in multiple tests at the scouting combine. He feels his game is unique, but he also readily shares his admiration for Shea Theodore’s play. “I like the way he can break pucks out, and he’s evasive,” he said. “And he can move, too.”
Back in bantam, Molendyk picked up a valuable tip from coach Erin Thornton at Yale Hockey Academy – but he’s not telling. “I’m not going to spit it out, but that has always helped me,” Molendyk said. “I find, taking on anyone, there’s no real way to beat me. I think it’s just being more aware of what’s going on and your surroundings, not just focusing on one guy.”
In April, when NHL Central Scouting released its final rankings for the 2023 draft class – which some expect to eventually go down as one of the best – Molendyk had climbed to No. 28 among North American skaters. It didn’t hurt that the rankings came out just after the Blades overcame a 2-0 series deficit to take out Connor Bedard’s Regina Pats in seven games in the first round of the WHL playoffs. They then lost the first three games of their second-round series with Red Deer before stunning the Rebels in another seven-gamer.
On draft day, Molendyk rose even further. At No. 24, the kid from McBride, B.C., a village of less than a thousand people located on the Yellowhead Highway not far from Jasper, Alta., was welcomed to the stage at Bridgestone Arena in front of a partisan hometown crowd by Predators franchise legends Roman Josi and Pekka Rinne.
Three days later, the Preds’ development camp kicked off. Molendyk settled in with a familiar crew that included WHL defense prospects Luke Prokop and Graham Sward, spring and summer hockey buddy Matthew Wood from Vancouver Island, and a pair of teammates from the victorious Team White at the 2023 Top Prospects Game: Red Deer rival Kalan Lind and Dylan MacKinnon from the Halifax Mooseheads.
On the ice, the Predators instructed Molendyk to focus on taking his offensive game to the next level after he put up nine goals and 37 points for Saskatoon in his draft year. This season, with 2023 WHL coach of the year Brennan Sonne at the helm, Molendyk has been a key contributor at both ends of the ice as the Blades established themselves among the top contenders in the WHL’s Eastern Conference.
On the final day of Nashville’s development camp, just eight days after he was drafted, Molendyk put pen to paper on his entry-level contract – a perfect coda to wrap up an unforgettable first visit to Music City, which included an Independence Day celebration. “I don’t even have words, still, how electric that city is,” Molendyk said. “Walking down there during development camp when it was July 4 was nuts. It was crazy. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
While the majority of the San Jose Sharks' attention is likely focused on the first day of the 2026 NHL Draft, as they now hold three first-round draft picks, they have five picks on the second day as well.
The second pick the Sharks currently hold on Saturday's portion of the draft will be a fourth-rounder that originally belonged to the Boston Bruins, the 120th overall selection.
A number of productive players have been drafted with the 120th overall pick, one of which played over 1,000 games in the NHL. Steve Larmer was a mainstay on the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1980's and early 1990's before he finished his career with the New York Rangers. He played 1006 career games, scoring 441 goals and just narrowly finishing above a point-per-game pace with 1012 career points in the process.
Mike Krushelnyski, mostly remembered for being a part of the Wayne Gretzky trade to the Los Angeles Kings in the modern age, was also drafted with the 120th overall selection and had a very respectable career. He finished his career with 897 games played, 241 goals and a total of 569 points.
Jaccob Slavin, Ben Chiarot, and current Sharks forward Philipp Kurashev are among the active players drafted with the 120th overall selection as well.
Now that the San Jose Sharks have the 27th overall pick in this year’s first round. Their draft strategy should change a little. Michael Kesselring brings a low floor to the Sharks’ blueline, so with that in mind, high upside should be what they look for here.
Prospect Info
Name: Maksim Sokolovskii
2025-26 Team: London Knights
Date of Birth: Jul. 12, 2008
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 238
Position: Defense (Left-Handed)
Statistics
Games Played - 44
Goals - 2
Assists - 6
Points - 8
Shots - 23
Shooting Percentage - 8.7%
Plus/Minus - +10
Rankings:
NHL Central Scouting (North America): 40th
The Hockey News - Ryan Kennedy: 52nd
Elite Prospects: 22nd
Sportsnet - Sam Cosentino: 31st
Sportsnet - Jason Bukula: 33rd
Daily Faceoff - 36th
What Experts are saying:
“Without a doubt, Sokolovskii is one of the most interesting defensive prospects available this year. He’s an absolute behemoth on the ice, but he’s also quick and agile, giving him immense defensive upside.” - Brock Otten
"I loved his play against the Soo Greyhounds because he repeatedly had to go up against top forward Brady Martin and, for the most part, succeeded. I really like Sokolovskii as a shutdown option." - Steven Ellis
"Sokolovskii’s name has been one of the most hotly discussed among NHL scouts over the past few months, and I expect he’ll be selected in the 20s now. He’s the biggest player in this class, he might be its most naturally aggressive and he can move. Those three things made him a source of intrigue for the scouts this year. " - Scott Wheeler
The Sharks shouldn’t be looking to wow anyone with this pick. In this scenario, they get a player whose size might wow you, but he plays a shut-down in your face type of game. What else can you ask for?
Take Buffalo Sabres forward Alex Tuch off the NHL free agent list.
Tuch, who had been the top available player, is going to the Washington Capitals in a sign-and-trade deal. He will average $10.5 million in his eight-year contract. The Sabres get back a third-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and forward David Kampf.
Tuch, 30, has three 30-goal seasons, including 33 goals this past season. His cap hit had been $4.75 million.
They still don't know if left wing Alex Ovechkin will return or retire, but one of the NHL all-time leading goal scorer's factors was whether the team would be competitive after missing the playoffs in 2025-26.
The 2007 No. 1 pick became the top U.S.-born scorer this past season. He has topped 50 points the last two seasons. Current cap hit: $3 million.
8. Anders Lee, New York Islanders
He has been the Islanders' captain since 2018 and is usually good for 20-plus goals, though he had 19 in 2025-26. Current cap hit: $7 million.
7. Mason Marchment, Columbus Blue Jackets
He struggled with the Seattle Kraken after his offseason trade, but his trade to Columbus revived his season with 32 points in 39 games. He's also an agitator. Current cap hit: $4.5 million.
6. Anthony Mantha, Pittsburgh Penguins
He's the third-highest-scoring player on the free agent list with 64 points after he signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh. Will a general manager be tempted to think he can do that again or look at his subpar production before that? Current cap hit: $2.5 million.
5. Viktor Arvidsson, Boston Bruins
The forward bounced back from a couple subpar seasons and had 25 goals and 54 points after being traded to Boston. Current cap hit: $4 million.
4. Sergei Bobrovsky, Florida Panthers
The goalie won back-to-back Stanley Cup titles and owns two Vezina Trophies. He'll be 38 next season. Current cap hit: $10 million.
3. Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
The NHL's all-time leading goal scorer is expected to either re-sign with the Capitals or retire. Otherwise, he'd lead the list. He scored 32 goals at age 40. Current cap hit: $9.5 million.
2. Rasmus Andersson, Vegas Golden Knights
The defenseman was traded to the Golden Knights this past season by the Flames. He can provide offense with one 50-point season and others topping 40 points, including 47 points in 2025-26. He had an average playoffs. Current cap hit: $4.55 million.
1. John Carlson, Anaheim Ducks
Carlson, the Capitals' all-time leader in scoring among defensemen, was traded to the Ducks in a shocker. He totaled 60 points in 71 games. Current cap hit: $8 million.
Others to watch: Mats Zuccarello, Boone Jenner, Brent Burns, Jacob Trouba
The Chicago Blackhawks made a bold move when they acquired Bowen Byram from the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday. In the deal, they also acquired forward Jordan Greenway in exchange for Louis Crevier, along with picks 4 and 45 in the 2026 NHL Draft.
On Tuesday, he was introduced via a Zoom call with the media for the first time, where he answered a variety of questions. He led things off by talking about how happy he was to play for the Blackhawks.
“I’m super excited to end up in Chicago," Byram said. "It’s been one of my favorite teams growing up. My dad played in the organization. It's always the place I wanted to end up. I'm super excited to be a part of the team."
It is always good for an organization when they are able to acquire players who truly want to be there. Whether it's because they were a fan of the team growing up, they want the opportunity that the team is offering, or the money matches their demands, they always play better when they are happy.
For Byram, it seems like the Blackhawks will provide all three of those things for him, especially the opportunity to be the number one defenseman for the first time in his career.
"It's an attractive place for me," Byram said. "I feel like I'll get the opportunity to play, do what I can to help the team improve and win."
When Byram was selected by the Colorado Avalanche 4th overall in 2019, he went to a team that was deep on the back end. He was always, at a minimum, behind Cale Makar, Devon Toews, and Sam Girard.
Then, when he was traded to Buffalo, he took off as a player, but he was still behind Rasmus Dahlin, Mattias Samelsson, and even Owen Power at times on the depth chart. Now, he will be given the top pair, first power-play minutes.
"I've been preparing for an opportunity like this for a long time," Byram said. "I feel like I'm a two-way defenseman, I transport the puck, I can move the puck, whether it's passing the puck up ice, moving my feet, using my skating to transport it. I think I can help the power play, but I also think I'm a good defender. I use my feet to defend, close quickly, and try to kill plays. I'm super excited to have this opportunity. I don't take it lightly."
Byram comes to Chicago with one year remaining on his current contract, which carries a cap hit of $6.25 million. On July 1st, he will be eligible for an extension, which he is extremely willing to accept with his new team.
"I'm hoping eventually we can get to that point [an extension]," Byram said when asked about his current situation in that regard. "Chicago is a place I've wanted to be for a long time. I plan on being in Chicago for a long time."
Bowen Byram took some time to get his game in the NHL to where it is today. Limited ice time, injuries, and inconsistencies were there early, but he battled through them. Byram believes he can bring some knowledge on how to deal with those struggles to some of the younger defenseman on the Blackhawks right now.
The Blackhawks have had a hard time scoring goals in recent seasons, and that was the case again in 2025-26. For Byram, both at even strength and on the power play, he has the tools to help them start to trend in the right direction when it comes to finding the back of the net.
"My job is to be myself," Byram said when asked about how he can help them score more. "I think I break the puck out well. I move the puck well. I think I'll get the puck to the hands of our forwards quickly and efficiently. You want your skilled forwards having the puck, creating, and attacking."
For being just 25 years old, Byram has a lot of great experience, and his perspective is one that most would describe as a winning mentality. He wants to be on the ice in the game's biggest moments. He wants to live up to being a fourth overall pick, number one defenseman, and highly paid player.
For being a player who had an early taste of what it's like to win a championship, it's clear that he has the desire to do it again. That type of hunger could be what turns this into a successful trade, despite the team giving up a lot to acquire him.
"My goal is to win the Stanley Cup every single year," Byram said. "I want to come to Chicago and help the team make the playoffs and win. That's my goal. Winning is a lot better than losing."
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting on the article below on THN.com or by creating your own post in our community forum.
The Vancouver Canucks have started an interesting tradition regarding the NHL Entry Draft. Over the last decade, Vancouver has drafted a total of zero players from the QMJHL. In total, the Canucks have drafted 67 players since they last selected a prospect from the Q.
The last player from the QMJHL drafted by Vancouver was Sherbrooke Phoenix's defenceman Carl Neill in 2015. That year, the Canucks actually drafted two Q defenders, with the other being Acadie-Bathurst Titan's Guillaume Brisebois. While Brisebois played last year in the AHL and is currently an unrestricted free agent, Neill spent last season with the Laval Pétroliers of the Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey.
As for this year, there are a few QMJHL prospects that Vancouver could select. Xavier Villeneuve and Tommy Bleyl are projected to be available at 24, while Maddox Dagenais and Yegor Shilov could drop to 33rd overall. There are also some late-round options, including Charlie Morrison, Liam Lefebvre and Olivers Murnieks.
Overall, it is a little perplexing how the Canucks could go a decade without drafting a player from the QMJHL. The Q is considered one of the best development leagues in hockey that continues to produce high-end talent. With 10 picks in the 2026 draft, it would be surprising if Vancouver goes another year without selecting a player from the QMJHL.
Chicoutimi Saguenéens at the 2026 Memorial Cup (Photo Credit: Steve Dunsmoor/CHL)
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
DENVER, COLORADO - MARCH 10: Jack Drury #18 of the Colorado Avalanche warms up prior to the game against the Edmonton Oilers at Ball Arena on March 10, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After an unprecedented day of trades in the NHL, the Colorado Avalanche got in on the action completing another transaction with their former GM Chris MacFarland in Nashville. The deal sends Jack Drury, Chase Bradley and their 2029 third round pick to the Predators for a pair of 23-year-old former first round pick forwards in Fyodor Svechkov and Zachary L’Heureux.
🚨Trade
To #Smashville Jack Drury, 26 y/o C, RFA (1 year from UFA elig) Chase Bradley, 24 y/o F, RFA, 12P in 42 AHL GP '29 3rd
To #GoAvsGo Fyodor Svechkov, 23 y/o F, Yr 1/2 @ $1.25M, 17P in 70 GP Zachary L'Heureux, 23 y/o F, Yr 1/2 @$825K, 5P in 25 GPhttps://t.co/AoKAQLTMBO
It’s been rumored for a while that Jack Drury wanted a hefty payday and the writing was on the wall when Colorado acquired Nicolas Roy at the trade deadline that Colorado wasn’t going to pay 3 million dollars to two bottom six players. Both Sakic and MacFarland should have been aware of Drury’s ask and value on the market as well as his Restricted Free Agent arbitration eligible status. Parting with a third round pick so far in the future seems unnecessary in this transaction but it doesn’t touch Colorado’s upcoming nine-pick draft class. Including Chase Bradley is just an expiring contract moved to even out the deal with Colorado taking on two contracts.
Incoming to Colorado is a pair of Nashville Predators 2021 first round draft selections in center Fydor Svechkov and winger Zachary L’Hereaux. Both are in the same situation in a lot of ways as the two just signed two-year extensions that expire as RFA in 2028. They each have a notable amount of NHL experience but have played in the AHL as recent as this year. The other kicker is both are no longer waiver exempt so pencil them into the Avalanche opening night lineup in the fall.
Svechkov is a 6-foot left shot center and comes with the higher pedigree of being a former 19th overall pick and spent the majority of the 2025-26 season in the NHL at 70 games played with 17 points and 122 career NHL games overall. He spent 10 games in the AHL, mostly over the Olympic break, and scored eight points including five goals. Svechkov is signed the next two seasons at $1.25M, which sounds like the right price for Colorado in their search for the next fourth line center.
L’Heureux was the 27th overall selection in the 2021 draft and has 87 career NHL games. The majority of it was in the 2024-25 season while he split time in the NHL and AHL last season. The 5-foot-11 left shot left wing scored five points for Nashville and 28 for Milwaukee. L’Heureux is a controversial player who not only plays with an edge but goes over the line sometimes. He pretty much averages a penalty minute per game and set a record for 198 hits his rookie season. He is also signed at a very reasonable $875k (one way) for the next two seasons.
What do you think of the trade? Let us know in the comments!
On Wednesday, the Winnipeg Jets made a move, betting on upside as they have agreed to terms with forward Isak Rosén on a two-year contract extension carrying an average annual value of $925,000, the team announced.
Rosén, 23, posted three goals and no assists in 21 games with Winnipeg last season after arriving in the Logan Stanley trade, and the organization clearly believes there is more to come from the former first-round pick.
Rosén came to Winnipeg as part of a trade deadline deal that sent defensemen Luke Schenn and Logan Stanley to the Buffalo Sabres. In return, the Jets received Rosén, defenseman Jacob Bryson, Buffalo's second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft, and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
The Swedish winger was a player Buffalo could no longer afford to keep buried, after being selected 14th overall by the Sabres in the 2021 NHL Draft. Rosén had built an impressive AHL resume over parts of four seasons with the Rochester Americans, totaling 185 points in 231 career games.
He was named AHL Player of the Month for November 2025 after posting 12 points in eight games, and led the Rochester Americans in goals with 25 while his 43 points ranked second on the club at the time of the trade. At the NHL level with Buffalo, however, consistent opportunities were harder to come by.
The Jets are taking on virtually no risk while keeping a restricted free agent that has flashed genuine offensive tools but has yet to see them translate to the NHL level. The two-year deal gives Winnipeg a chance to find out what Rosén is made out of and see if he can establish a consistent NHL role and show the organization what made him a first-round pick in the first place.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
Two of the Nashville Predators' young stars are headed out west as Fedor Svechkov and Zach L’Heureux have been traded to the Colorado Avalanche.
On Wednesday, the Predators announced that they had acquired center Jack Drury, winger Chase Bradley and a 2029 third-round pick for Svechkov and L'Heureux.
“Jack Drury is a hard-working, reliable, full-sheet of the ice center who can handle the tough assignments while being elite in the face-off circle,” MacFarland said in a press release. "His addition to our forward group bolsters our depth in the middle of the ice, and we’re thrilled to have him on our roster.
"We’re also excited to add Chase Bradley – another young forward who’s had some NHL experience – to our overall organizational depth at forward.”
TRADE 🔄
We've acquired forwards Jack Drury and Chase Bradley and Colorado’s third-round pick in the 2029 NHL Draft from the Avs in exchange for forwards Zach L'Heureux and Fedor Svechkov.
The Predators drafted Svechkov in 2021, 19th overall, and he has played 122 NHL games, recording 12 goals and 22 assists for 34 points.
This past season, he had 17 points in 70 games and split time between Milwaukee and the Admirals, recording 8 points in 10 games with the Admirals.
L'Heuruex was drafted 27th overall by the Predators in the 2021 draft and has played in 87 games, recording nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points.
He started the year off in Milwaukee, scoring 28 points in 30 games before earning a promotion in Nashville. L'Heuruex had five points in 25 games.
Drury played in 82 games this past season with the Avalanche, scoring 27 points (10 goals and 17 assists) and had five points (three goals and two assists) in 13 playoff games.
The 5-foot-11-inch, 186-pound forward was drafted 42nd overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2018 Draft.
Bradley has played in just two NHL games over the last two seasons. He played the entirety of the 2025-26 season with the Colorado Eagles (AHL), scoring 12 points (nine goals and three assists) in 42 games.
This is the third transaction in the 2026 calendar year that the Predators have executed with the Avalanche and the second general manager Chris MacFarland has made with his former team.
At the trade deadline, defenseman Nick Blankenburg was traded to the Avalanche for a 2027 fifth-round pick.
On June 16, forward Ross Colton and goaltender Isak Posch were traded to the Predators for a 2026 third-round pick, a 2027 third-round pick, and goaltender Magnus Chrona.
The Nashville Predators have acquired center Jack Drury from the Colorado Avalanche in a trade that includes forwards Zach L'Heureux and Fedor Svechkov.
In the trade, the Predators are getting Drury, a 2029 third-round pick, and forward Chase Bradley. The Avalanche are getting Svechkov and L'Heureux, both former first-round picks by the Predators.
Drury, 26, was drafted in the second round (No. 42 overall) in 2018 by the Carolina Hurricanes. After three seasons with the Hurricanes, he was traded to the Avalanche in 2025 as part of the deal that sent Mikko Rantanen to Carolina.
In 268 games, Drury has 30 goals, 52 assists while averaging 12:56 ice time per game. He's an excellent face-off winner, winning more than 57% of his draws in his career.
Seen as more of a defensive player, he was the Avalanche's third-line center. He often played with Ross Colton, whom the Predators acquired from the Avalanche on June 16.
The Predators' new general manager, Chris MacFarland, came over from the Avalanche.
Drury just completed a two-year, $3.45 million contract signed in 2024. He is a restricted free agent and is due a qualifying offer of at least $1.65 million, which was his salary last season.
NHL teams must submit qualifying offers to RFAs by July 1. According to Puck Pedia, the Predators have $25 million in cap space.The Predators are sending two former first-round picks in Svechkov and L'Heureux. Svechkov was taken 19th overall in 2021, and had 12 goals and 22 assists in 122 games. L'Heureux was taken eight picks later at No. 27 — he scored nine goals and 11 assists in 87 games.
Despite being high draft picks, the two never developed into anything more than role players for Nashville.
Bradley, 24, has played two games for the Avalanche, but is mostly an American Hockey League player at this point. He had nine goals and three assists in 42 games for the Colorado Eagles last season.
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. He never uses artificial intelligence when developing or drafting stories. Contact Alex atjdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
The Colorado Avalanche have moved on from Jack Drury after contract extension talks repeatedly stalled during the regular season, trading the 25-year-old center to the Nashville Predators in a multi-piece deal on Wednesday.
Colorado sent Drury, forward Chase Bradley, and a third-round pick to Nashville in exchange for Fedor Svechkov and Zachary L’Heureux.
The 23-year-old Svechkov arrives in Colorado after spending last season split between Nashville and AHL Milwaukee, where he played 70 NHL games and recorded 17 points (4 goals, 13 assists). While his offensive production didn’t jump from his rookie season total, he showed steady usage in a bottom-six role and reached the 100-game NHL milestone in January.
The offensive upside behind Svechkov is a huge plus in this deal for Colorado. Credit: James Carey Lauder - Imagn Images
Originally a first-round pick (19th overall) by the Predators in 2021, Svechkov has 122 NHL games under his belt and 34 career points. He also brings significant AHL and international experience, including a productive run with Milwaukee and a strong playoff track record in the minors.
L’Heureux, also 23, adds a different dimension to Colorado’s forward group as a hard-charging, physical winger. A 2021 first-round pick (27th overall), he split last season between Nashville and AHL Milwaukee, appearing in 25 NHL games while also producing 28 points in the minors. His style profile aligns with the type of “Mason Marchment”-type power winger The Hockey News has previously suggested the Avalanche target—an energetic, heavy game forward capable of disrupting play and shifting momentum.
However, L’Heureux also carries a well-documented disciplinary history across multiple levels. During his time in the QMJHL, AHL, and NHL, he has been suspended on several occasions for on-ice infractions, including a 10-game ban for an incident involving contact with a fan during his junior career. While he acknowledged in 2023 that he needed to tighten up that aspect of his game, additional suspensions followed the next season. Most recently, L’Heureux was suspended three games in January 2025 for slew-footing Minnesota Wild captain Jared Spurgeon. In total, he has been suspended 12 times across his career and has missed 42 games as a result.
For the Avalanche, the move marks another adjustment to a forward group that has been in flux throughout the offseason. Drury, who played 115 games in Colorado after being acquired from Carolina in January 2025, put up 36 points in a bottom-six role but became a trade candidate after extension talks failed to progress.
Bradley, a college free-agent signing in 2024, appeared in two NHL games with the Avalanche and spent most of his time developing in the organization’s pipeline.
Drury was an incredible depth player for the Avalanche, but his financial demands couldn't be met. Credit: Isaiah J. Downing - Imagn Images
Drury was acquired by Colorado in January 2025 and quickly settled into a depth role down the middle, providing reliable minutes in a bottom-six capacity. However, with extension negotiations failing to gain traction throughout the season, Colorado ultimately opted to move the pending asset rather than risk losing him for nothing in the future.
Across 115 games with the Avalanche from 2024–26, Drury produced 36 points (15 goals, 21 assists) and established himself as a reliable two-way center, posting a 57.7 percent faceoff win rate along with 82 blocked shots and 74 hits.
The Leafs are slated to kick off this week’s 2026 NHL Draft by making the franchise’s third-ever No. 1 overall selection. Toronto moved up from fifth to first in last month’s draft lottery, and the Original Six club is expected to use the top pick on Penn State winger Gavin McKenna.
McKenna, an 18-year-old from Whitehorse, Canada, ranked second in the nation in points per game (1.46) in his freshman season with the Nittany Lions, tallying 15 goals and 36 assists. Other top prospects expected to hear their names called early include OHL defenseman Chase Reid, OHL center Caleb Malhotra and SHL winger Ivar Stenberg.
The San Jose Sharks also moved up in the order via the lottery, rising from ninth to second. It’s the third consecutive draft in which San Jose holds a top-two selection, after taking Macklin Celebrini at No. 1 in 2024 and Michael Misa at No. 2 last year.
The Eklund trade provides the Sharks with a pair of top 10 picks, in addition to the No. 27 selection. San Jose is one of several teams with multiple first-rounders, along with the Vancouver Canucks (Nos. 3 and 24), Sabres (Nos. 4 and 20), New York Rangers (Nos. 5 and 26), Calgary Flames (Nos. 6 and 30), St. Louis Blues (Nos. 11, 15, 16 and 29), and Senators (Nos. 25 and 32).
As the event nears, here’s what to know about this year’s NHL draft:
When is the NHL draft?
The draft takes place from Friday, June 26 to Saturday, June 27. Round 1 is Friday followed by the remainder of the draft Saturday.
What time does the NHL draft start?
The draft begins Friday at 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT/4 p.m. PT and resumes Saturday at 11 a.m. ET/10 a.m. CT/8 a.m. PT.
Where is the NHL draft being held?
KeyBank Center, home of the Sabres, in Buffalo, New York, is the site of this year’s draft.
While the Philadelphia Flyers may have stood by as other NHL teams kicked off a massive trade frenzy, their first big deal may be coming sooner than later.
Much like the Simon Nemec trade earlier in the week, teams know that the Flyers will eventually have to make a decision on defense, and all signs point to Philadelphia finally cashing in on a renewed Rasmus Ristolainen.
According to The Fourth Period and NHL Network NHL insider David Pagnotta, the "Flyers remain engaged in trade talks involving RD Rasmus Ristolainen. There are multiple teams, including Ottawa, in pursuit."
A Senators trade is beginning to feel inevitable, given the long-standing links connecting Ristolainen to the Senators.
Plus, it was previously reported that the Flyers have varying degrees of interest in Senators centers Dylan Cozens, Shane Pinto, and Ridly Greig, with the Flyers having the most interest in Pinto of the three.
With the amount of wheeling and dealing the Senators have done, starting with the Brady Tkachuk deal, it would certainly seem that they are open to any and all change that would benefit them going forward.
The Flyers, meanwhile, have David Jiricek and Oliver Bonk pushing for roster spots on the right side of the defense, and we all know that they badly need an upgrade at center.
Both Cozens and Pinto are right-shot centers who could make a free agent like Luke Glendening redundant and take over his matchup reps in the faceoff circle for head coach Rick Tocchet.
If the Flyers choose to turn elsewhere at center, such as Anaheim's Mason McTavish, it's worth noting that the Senators also have the 25th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft that they can use to start up a trade package.
Leading up to the NHL trade deadline, it was also reported that the Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings had interest in trading for Ristolainen.
In any event, it is increasingly likely a Ristolainen trade will finally come to fruition on or before Friday's draft.
ST. LOUIS -- Connor McMichael wasn't caught off guard by getting traded.
In fact, the new St. Louis Blues forward, acquired on Tuesday from the Washington Capitals along with a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and 2025 second-round prospect Milton Gastrin for Jordan Kyrou, the 25-year-old who is slated to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1, was prepared for whatever was to come, including moving on if need be.
"I wouldn't say that it caught me off guard," McMichael said Wednesday. "I think any time your contract's up and I wasn't signed by now so just thoughts kind of creep into your head that it's a possibility. It was definitely shocking, but I wouldn't say it was completely out of imagination for myself."
But the forward, who is a center by trade who also had expensive time playing on the wing in Washington, comes to a Blues roster that is more in line with guys his age range, which is something that excites him.
"I'm super-excited," McMichael said. "I think one of the first things I did when I found out is checked the Blues roster and got familiar with the guys. From what I saw, there's going to be a lot of years where we can be competitive. It's a team that's looking to build and get better and better each year. There's quite a few guys the same age as me, so that's real exciting. I'm already familiar with a few guys as well. I'm really happy to be a Blue."
One of those players is Robert Thomas, who infamously was traded for McMichael on Jan. 8, 2018 while both were junior players. The London Knights traded Thomas to the Hamilton Bulldogs for then-16-year old McMichael, a second-round pick in 2021, three conditional second round picks in 2020, 2025 and 2026 and a conditional third-round pick in 2022.
Now the two, along with Joel Hofer and Dylan Holloway, two other players McMichael has been familiar with in the past through Hockey Canada events, are teammates.
"We've talked about it a few times," McMichael said. "The funny thing about that is when we got traded for each other, we actually traded billet families as well. Sometimes there will be a little family barbeque in the summer and we'll see each other there. We've talked about it a few times, but now it's just kind of normal. I'm sure we'll talk about it a bit more now.
"I've always said Robby's one of the most underrated players in the NHL. He's got real good vision and real good hockey sense as well. I think it's going to be pretty easy to play alongside him and it's definitely exciting."
The Blues are pegging McMichael in as a middle-six forward, more in line to be a second-line forward at the moment; he is coming off a season in which he had 46 points (14 goals, 32 assists) in 78 games after putting up career numbers in 2024-25 with 57 points (26 goals, 31 assists) in 82 games.
"Last year was a bit of a down year for me," McMichael said. "Like you said, the assists were still there, but the goal scoring not so much. That's definitely something I pride myself in. I like to get into the dirty areas, per se, and find the soft spots and find the back of the net. I think I'm a well-rounded player that's going to be able to score and set guys up."
Blues general manager Doug Armstrong has made it clear the age range of players the Blues want to bring in as assets, and McMichael fits the bill.
"McMichael's got speed," he said. "He's got the ability to play multiple positions up front. A little bit younger, we've got control over him for a couple years. The first-round pick was obviously enticing for us entering the draft (Friday), and we're really excited about the Swedish prospect from his draft year last year. He went 37th overall. We love his competitiveness, we love how he can affect the game. There's a growth window there with some players.
"We believe organizationally your second and third line can be a blend. Any one night, the second line can be the third line and any one night, the third line can be the second line. We've seen him fit seamlessly into that area of our team. We do need him to produce offense. That's a calling card that he has, but we do need a two-way game out of him also. If he starts out and to see Holloway, Thomas and Snuggerud continue what they ended up (doing) last year, now you have a wealthy of players in that six that he can move around. We're going to need 200-foot balanced players out of that group that are all going to need to provide offense, not just one or two."
McMichael has the ability to play either center or wing, and the Capitals seemed to use him on most occasions as a wing, and in all areas, including penalty kill.
"Since I've been in the NHL, at least with the Capitals, they've kind of used me all over the place," McMichael said. "I know only growing up and even in juniors, I've only played center. Kind of once I went to Hockey Canada, I moved to the wing a few times. I don't really have a preference to be honest. One big thing about my game is I can move my game easily to wing and center. Wherever they want to use me.
"My biggest attribute I always say is my hockey sense. I think I'm just able to put myself in positions to score and also set up other teammates. I've also been pretty good on the penalty kill. I'm kind of an all-around guy. I'd like to say I'm good at everything. I just like to touch the game in all aspects."
And touch it with the Blues because in the end, it's a team that wanted him.
"Just based off those first few phone calls, it seems like they're excited to have me and happy that they were able to acquire me," McMichael said. 'For me, that's all that matters is that this organization wants me and appreciates me. That's going to be a big thing."
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
