From potential coaching staff changes to roster moves, the Colorado Avalanche are going to have to make some tough choices this summer as they reflect on getting swept by the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Finals. Thankfully for them, the salary cap will be increasing by $8.5 million for 2026-27. The cap will be $104 million, while the floor will be $76.9 million.

With that nice chunk of change added, the Avalanche now has $2.979 million to work with. Not the number many expected, considering the cap increase. The main issue is that few contracts are coming off the books, which raises questions about what they plan to do this summer if they want to shake up the roster.

All contract info provided by PuckPedia

How The Teams Cap Situation Looks Like

Now, this isn’t a “predicting the Colorado Avalanche's 2026 Offseason Moves” piece or what I think they should do; I am working on that, but I’m still working out some signings and trades to look over. This is more of a thought I want to put in people’s heads about what people on social media and insiders think will happen to this roster.

The Avalanche are set to have five unrestricted free agents come July 1st: Joel Kiviranta, Brent Burns, Brett Kulak, Jack Ahcan, and Nick Blankenburg. They have two restricted free agents in Jack Drury and Zakhar Bardakov.

Every single player who was brought up about why the Avalanche lost to the Knights is under contract. Nazem Kadri still has three seasons left at his new $5.6 million cap hit that the Flames retained. Martin Necas' new eight-year $92 million contract kicks in. Sam Malinski’s new four-year $19 million contract also kicks in.

Sam Malinski’s Rise: Why the Avalanche Rewarded Him With a Four-Year ExtensionSam Malinski earned every cent of this contract extension

Outside of players' contracts running out, the only other cap relief they are receiving is Josh Manson’s cap hit going from $4.5 million to $3.95 million with his new two-year $7.9 million contract extension. The money looks better each season, following as the cap will go up, but if you look past this summer, you see why.

This season, Artturi Lehkonen, Ross Colton, Nicolas Roy, and Cale Makar are in the last year of their contract. Now, Makar is the least worrisome, and many insiders have speculated that the team's focus is on getting an extension done this summer. Still, if you want to retool this team and pick and choose where management thinks they can get better, trades will need to come with their cap situation.

What Sam Malinski’s New Deal Means for Cale Makar and the AvalancheThe Colorado Avalanche have cleared one major hurdle, but others remain.

The 2026 NHL Entry Draft is scheduled for June 26 and 27, with the Avalanche focusing mainly on Day 2, as they have no draft picks until the fourth round. So the Avalanche will have some time to scout some later-round players before they decide where to make some space for the roster this free agency.

Avalanche Prospect Shock: Mikhail Gulyayev Signs KHL Extension Through 2028Mikhail Gulyayev’s new two-year KHL extension with Avangard Omsk pushes his long-awaited NHL arrival with the Colorado Avalanche back to at least 2028-29, extending uncertainty around the 2023 first-round pick’s development path.

There’s a nostalgic feeling to how the Vancouver Canucks’ new management team is starting to shake out. With Ryan Johnson as the Canucks’ new General Manager, Daniel and Henrik Sedin now co-Presidents of Hockey Operations, Alex Edler reportedly helping out with Vancouver’s development camp, and Manny Malhotra being eyed as the franchise’s next head coach, it appears the Canucks are taking a sentimental route when it comes to forming the leadership behind their next era. 

With culture and environment being a priority heading into Vancouver’s first stage of their rebuild, it looks as though the Canucks will be drawing heavily from the experiences faced by those late 2000s to early 2010s teams that took Vancouver to the Stanley Cup Final. 

These four players are very unlikely to re-join the Canucks organization at this stage in their careers. However, if they did, they would fit seamlessly with the team’s nostalgic trajectory. 

Kevin Bieksa 

You knew this one was coming. 

While the likelihood of Bieksa leaving his position as a Sportsnet analyst feels highly unlikely at this stage, the Canucks bringing the grizzled defenceman back would make a lot of fans happy. Bieksa evidently still has strong feelings towards the organization that he retired with after signing a one-day contract with them, and paired with the way he speaks of culture in the dressing room, he’d be a great addition to the new-but-familiar look of the Canucks organization. 

Alex Burrows 

He’s in the Ring of Honour for a reason. 

A hard-worker who fought his way up to the NHL, right into a spot on the Sedins’ line, Burrows would be a great coaching hire for the Canucks — regardless of whether he’s an assistant, head coach, or even in Abbotsford. The ex-Canuck currently operates as a player development consultant for the Montréal Canadiens, even getting a shout-out from head coach Martin St. Louis at the beginning of his team’s Eastern Conference Final series. 

While Burrows would be a great candidate on paper for the Canucks, there’s a reason why he left his role as assistant coach for the Canadiens — wanting to spend more time with his family. Coming back to Vancouver would only make that more difficult. 

Jeff Tambellini 

Tambellini was reported to have been part of the Canucks’ GM search at the end of April, though evidently, the former Canuck was not the organization’s final selection. 

The Tampa Bay Lightning’s Assistant General Manager and Director of Hockey Operations has spent nearly six seasons in an NHL front-office, as he also put in three years as the Seattle Kraken’s Director of Player Development.

With the Sedins’ promotion causing a noticeable vacancy in the player development space, a former Canuck like Tambellini would be an interesting hire for Vancouver. 

Roberto Luongo 

The Florida Panthers’ Special Assistant To The General Manager would be an interesting name to add to Vancouver’s organization, especially given that he has now won two Stanley Cups with his current team in his advisor role. A former player whose place in the Canucks’ Ring of Honour has sparked debate, specifically about jersey retirement in this context, Luongo’s name was thrown around during Vancouver’s GM search — though there were no specific reports connecting him to the role. 

There’s no secret that a Luongo hire would be fun, but that would require the ex-Canucks goaltender to either move his family back to Vancouver, or return on his own. 

Realistically, these four hires are extremely unlikely — but they’re still fun to think about. 

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.

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The Carolina Hurricanes can advance to the Stanley Cup Final with a victory over the Montreal Canadiens in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference finals. The Hurricanes lead the series 3-1. Carolina is favored in Game 5 with a -244 moneyline compared to the Canadiens' +199.

How to watch Montreal Canadiens vs. Carolina Hurricanes

• Date: Friday, May 29

• Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT

• Where: Lenovo Center, Raleigh, NC

• TV Channels: TNT, truT, HBO, Spor

• Live Stream:ESPN+ | Follow on Yahoo Sports

Odds

• Spread: Carolina Hurricanes -1.5

• Moneyline: Carolina Hurricanes -244 (68.0%) / Montreal Canadiens +199 (32.0%)

• Over/Under: 5.5

If the St. Louis Blues are looking to maximize skill at pick No. 11, look no further than forward Wyatt Cullen.

Cullen is a dynamic offensive forward who is one of the most interesting players in the 2026 NHL draft class. 

Cullen is the son of former NHL player Matt Cullen, and while that alone is interesting, the most intriguing element of his game is his recent growth spurt. In the past year or two, Cullen has grown several inches, and although wherever you read might post a different height, the upcoming NHL combine will soon confirm his height.

At the moment, Cullen is listed between six feet and 6-foot-2. 

But outside of the shocking growth spurt, Cullen is an outstanding playmaker. 

Playing with the USNDTP this season, Cullen posted 16 goals and 45 points in 40 games, and in USHL action with NTDP, Cullen posted six goals and 16 points in 15 games. At the U-18s with Team USA, Cullen posted three goals and a team-leading nine points in five games. His nine points ranked third in the tournament, as two players tied with 12 points. 

Cullen’s game revolves around his skating. He is fast and agile, using his edge work to create space and protect the puck. He is a dynamic playmaker, always looking to make passes into high-danger areas. 

Who Is This Year's Beckett Sennecke? Two 2026 NHL Draft Prospects Could Go Higher Than ExpectedIt was surprising to see Beckett Sennecke get selected so early in the 2024 NHL draft by the Anaheim Ducks. Who can be this year's version of Sennecke at the 2026 draft?

Cullen’s skating is matched by his deceptive hands, which make him a threat in transition. Blending the ability to create offense in transition and on the cycle can make Cullen a very effective NHL player. While both elements need polishing, it’s not uncommon for a player as young as Cullen.

In fact, Cullen is one of the youngest players in the draft and narrowly made the cutoff, as he was born on Sept. 8, 2008, missing it by seven days. 

The final part of Cullen’s game is that a scout believes he might be best deployed as a center. According to the Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis, he spoke to a scout who said, “(I was) talking to scouts that actually thought he was a center based off of how proficient he is in his own zone, how much time he spends there stealing the puck off guys to then just find out he’s actually a winger surprised a few people. That’s how good a game he has.”

St. Louis Blues 2026 NHL Draft Targets At Pick No. 11: Tynan LawrenceAs we inch closer to the 2026 NHL draft, we are going to look at several players the St. Louis Blues can target with their three first round picks. Today, we take a look at Tynan Lawrence, a player who could be available at pick No. 11.

The Blues are in desperate need of a highly skilled and possibly game-breaking forward. Cullen comes with less certainty than wingers like Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg, but with three first-round selections, the Blues can take a gamble on Cullen’s upside. 

Cullen is set to join the University of Minnesota in the NCAA for the 2027-28 season. 

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It's been over two weeks since the Toronto Maple Leafs decided to part ways with head coach Craig Berube. It marks the third instance in which the coach of the Maple Leafs has been fired in the Auston Matthews era.

As Toronto's GM John Chayka and senior executive advisor Mats Sundin search for a new bench boss for the Leafs, it's a good time to reflect on the recent history of coaches with the franchise.

Beginning with Berube, here are the last three coaches of the Maple Leafs, how they fared in their stint with the team, and an overall recap of their tenure in Toronto.

Craig Berube (Hired May 2024, Fired May 2026)

Berube was the coach who took the Maple Leafs the furthest of the team's last three coaches. He was in Toronto for two full seasons, leading the Leafs to Game 7 of the second-round series against the Florida Panthers in his first year.

There was a real possibility for the Maple Leafs to build on that progress, as it was the furthest the team had gone in the Stanley Cup playoffs since Toronto advanced to the conference final in 2001-02.

Though 2024-25 was promising, everything changed in 2025-26. Superstar Mitch Marner was no longer on the team, and the GM at the time, Brad Treliving, tried to make up for his absence by bringing in forwards Nicolas Roy, Dakota Joshua, and Matias Maccelli. 

Disaster struck early for Berube and the Leafs. They lost five of their first eight outings of the campaign, and went through a five-game losing streak in early November. Toronto had a hill to climb early in the year and was truly never able to grab hold of the season from that point.

Whatever went right for Berube in his first year did not translate to last year. He didn't get the same goaltending to bail out the defense, blueliners couldn't break out of their own zone cleanly, and they were getting outshot on a nightly basis.

In the end, Berube's heavy, direct and simple approach to the game didn't rub off the right way on the Maple Leafs, specifically in his second season.

Report: Maple Leafs 'Working Through' Possible David Carle Hire, Bruce Cassidy Remains Out Of The PictureElliotte Friedman has provided a soft update on where the Toronto Maple Leafs stand with new head coach candidates in David Carle and Bruce Cassidy.

Sheldon Keefe (Hired November 2019, Fired May 2024)

Sheldon Keefe's Maple Leafs struggled to win a series or be successful in the post-season. But in hindsight, he was the coach who best suited the team's style of play. After all, despite just one series win in five years with the Maple Leafs, he never missed the playoffs.

Under Keefe, Matthews won a Hart Trophy, a Ted Lindsay Award, and three Rocket Richard Trophies. Marner had three 90-plus-point seasons, was a Selke Trophy finalist, and was one of the best playmakers in hockey. William Nylander molded himself into the superstar that he's known as today, recording a career-high 98 points in 2023-24 and earning his eight-year, $92-million contract.

Even Morgan Rielly, who had a rough pair of campaigns under Berube, averaged about 0.70 points per game with Keefe leading from behind the bench. 

Why Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies, Morgan Rielly Remain NHL Trade CandidatesMorgan Rielly and Matthew Knies were recently included on an off-season trade board by The Athletic. Here's why the Toronto Maple Leafs duo continue to be labelled as NHL trade candidates.

Again, what's most important in playoff success, but it's fair to say that the big names on the team were performing at their best when Keefe was around.

The furthest Keefe was able to take the Maple Leafs was to the second round of the post-season in 2022-23, losing to the Panthers in a five-game series.

He was also at the hands of some inexcusable first-round exits. That includes the 2019-20 qualifying round against the Columbus Blue Jackets, blowing a 3-1 series lead to the Montreal Canadiens the following year, and being unable to get past the Boston Bruins in his final year with the Leafs.

Ultimately, the partnership between Keefe and Toronto ended after the 2023-24 campaign, and that decision was made by Treliving. Keefe is now the head coach of the New Jersey Devils, preparing for his third season with them.

Mike Babcock (Hired May 2015, Fired November 2019)

Mike Babcock is certainly a polarizing figure in the hockey community. Several stories about his coaching philosophies and the way he interacted with his players over the years.

But during his tenure with the Maple Leafs, his job was to develop a very young and talented team and help them grow into NHL stars.

Aside from the trio of Matthews, Marner and Nylander, players such as Zach Hyman, Kasperi Kapanen, Connor Brown and Rielly were all at critical moments in their careers. And for the most part, all of them are still effective roster players in the NHL.

Former Maple Leafs Bench Boss Mike Babcock Says He's 'Retired' Amid Oilers Head Coaching SpeculationSomehow, Mike Babcock's name has come up in another head coaching vacancy. He was seemingly quick to shut it down.

Despite Babcock being assigned a more growth role in the franchise, he still led the young Maple Leafs to the playoffs twice before Keefe was promoted from the Toronto Marlies to replace him in November 2019.

Today, Babcock doesn't coach in the NHL. His last opportunity to coach in the league was when the Blue Jackets hired him in July 2023. However, he was fired in September, before the 2023-24 regular season even began, because of crossing personal boundaries with his players.

And not long after Berube's firing, TSN's Darren Dreger reached out to Babcock to gauge what his interest was in returning to the NHL as a head coach. He replied, "Dregs, I’m retired. Loving it."

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.

A promising draft pick once viewed as a potential late-first-round steal for the Colorado Avalanche is now officially set to remain in Russia for the foreseeable future after Mikhail Gulyayev committed to a new deal with Avangard Omsk.

Gulyayev, selected 31st overall by the Avalanche in the 2023 NHL Draft via the pick acquired in the Alex Newhook trade, has signed a two-year, two-way extension in the KHL, according to league transaction records. The agreement keeps the 21-year-old defenseman in Omsk through the 2027-28 campaign, effectively pushing any possible NHL arrival with Colorado to the 2028-29 season at the earliest.

Because of how his rights are structured, the Avalanche can afford patience. The organization retains exclusive control over Gulyayev indefinitely, meaning there is no looming deadline forcing an entry-level contract decision in the near term.

A Timeline Shift That Reshapes Colorado’s Plans

When Gulyayev was drafted, there was genuine excitement about his long-term upside. He had been ranked highly across scouting lists entering the 2023 draft—23rd by Bob McKenzie of TSN and 21st overall by Scott Wheeler of The Athletic—making his availability at 31st appear like a savvy move by Colorado’s front office.

At the time, his path looked relatively straightforward: continue developing in Russia, eventually transition to North America, and compete for a role on the Avalanche blue line. Instead, his trajectory has slowed and stretched further out, now delayed by at least two more seasons following this extension.

After splitting his draft year between the KHL, the VHL, and Russia’s MHL junior league, Gulyayev has spent the last three seasons as a consistent presence with Avangard Omsk’s senior team. However, his role and production have not progressed at the pace many evaluators expected.

Development Questions And An Uncertain Ceiling

Despite still being regarded as one of Colorado’s stronger prospects—ranked No. 3 in Scott Wheeler’s most recent organizational list—there is growing skepticism about how quickly his game is translating at the professional level in Russia.

As his ice time has fluctuated, so too has his offensive output. He finished the 2024-25 season with 15 points, but that total dropped to just three in 2025-26, a step back that has not gone unnoticed by scouts tracking his development.

Wheeler noted concerns in March, writing that Gulyayev “has struggled to take that next step beyond just being a depth guy” in the KHL. That assessment has only gained weight as his usage has remained limited.

He also suggested a change of environment could help accelerate his growth, stating that Gulyayev “needs to get over to North America” to maximize his development and improve his chances of becoming an impactful NHL player. That transition, however, is now on hold for the foreseeable future.

There was never a strong indication that Gulyayev was rushing toward the NHL. He attended Colorado’s development camp last summer but chose to remain in Russia ahead of the season, unlike fellow prospect Ilya Nabokov, who signed his entry-level contract and made the trip to North America.

When asked last year by Sergey Demidov of RG.org about a possible timeline for joining the Avalanche organization, Gulyayev remained noncommittal, saying “right now I can’t say anything concrete.”

With this new extension finalized, that uncertainty has effectively been extended as well. For Colorado, the hope remains that consistent minutes in Omsk eventually help stabilize his game and unlock the upside that once made him such an intriguing first-round gamble.

Claude Lemieux's children posted heartfelt messages about the four-time Stanley Cup winner after his death on Thursday, May 28, at age 60.

Brendan Lemieux, who followed his father into the NHL, wrote on Instagram. "I love you dad. My son's favorite person is going to watch from above for a while. We will see you." He added a heart emoji.

Claudia Lemieux Bishop, Claude's daughter, posted with a broken heart emoji, "No words to express the level of devastation we feel. I love you forever daddy. Forever your only girl."

Brendan and Claude were taken in the second round of the NHL draft. Though he didn't match Claude's scoring numbers, Brendan was a gritty player, like his father.

View this post on Instagram

Four-time Stanley Cup winner Claude Lemieux's death at age 60, on Thursday, May 28, is even more shocking because he was part of a public ceremony in Montreal days beforehand.

The Montreal Canadiens have had franchise legends carry in a torch before a game to fire up the crowd during their run to the Eastern Conference finals.

It was Lemieux's turn on Monday, May 25, before Game 3 of the conference finals against the Carolina Hurricanes. He was cheered as he slowly carried the torch into the arena, raised the torch and pumped his fist.

Lemieux achieved legendary status with the Canadiens during the 1986 playoffs when the rookie scored 10 goals, including four game-winners, to help Montreal win its first Stanley Cup championship since 1979.

Claude Lemieux carried the torch for Montreal on Monday before Game 3…

Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/wpmkE47lyi

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 28, 2026

The 1983 second-round pick had played only 19 NHL regular-season games to that point and only 10 that season, scoring once.

He would go on to establish himself as an NHL agitator and clutch playoff scorer, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP with the New Jersey Devils in 1995. He won two Stanley Cups with New Jersey, one with the Colorado Avalanche and one with the Canadiens.

Claude Lemieux cause of death

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said a family member found the body shortly before 3:30 a.m. in the rear warehouse of the Andros Home furniture showroom, reports the Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Network.

The sheriff's office said the man presumed to be Lemieux was found after he failed to return to his home. Sheriff's investigators secured the store as detectives from PBSO's Violent Crimes Division gathered evidence.

State business records list Lemieux as the registered agent for Andros Home, which incorporated in 2022.

The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's Office told USA TODAY Sports in response to an open records request that "all public records you have requested for Claude Lemieux are exempt from public records as specified under SB 474 - FS 406.135. (2) (c)."

The Florida statute cited by the medical examiner’s office was enacted in 2024 and exempts photos, videos, audio recordings and autopsy reports related to suicide victims from general public records requests.

Contributing: Jesse Yomtov, Palm Beach Post, Mark Giannotto

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Claude Lemieux took part in Canadiens torch ceremony days before death

Former NHL great Claude Lemieux hanged himself, authorities told The Post on Friday.

The 60-year-old New Jersey Devils hockey legend and four-time Stanley Cup winner was found by one of his sons in the back of the warehouse of his family’s furniture store in Lake Park, Fla., at 3:32 a.m Thursday after he never returned home, according to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office statement.

His daughter, Claudia, told The Post her heartbroken family had gathered in Palm Beach and was “meeting with a detective” Friday morning.

It wasn’t immediately clear which of Lemieux’s three sons, Brendan, Michael or Christopher, discovered his body at the shop, Andros Home, which sells “refined furnishings and architectural elements” in the seaside city, according to its website.

The retired NHL champ won a 1995 Conn Smythe Trophy with the Devils, ranked ninth all-time with 80 postseason goals and was known for being an “enforcer” on the ice.

His suicide came just days after he carried the torch in Montreal’s Bell Centre to kick off Game 3 of the NHL’s Eastern Conference finals Monday.

Known as a ruthless “agitator,” Lemieux won the first of his four Cups with the Montreal Canadiens in 1986, then earned two more with the  Devils in 1995 and 2000 and one with the Avalanche in 1996.

“A clutch player on the ice and greatly appreciated by Devils’ fans off it, Claude’s impact in bringing the first-ever Stanley Cup to New Jersey will forever be remembered as one of the paramount performances in team history,” the Devils said in a statement Thursday.

“Widely respected throughout the NHL, both as a trusted agent and a valued colleague, Claude leaves behind a lasting legacy within our game that he gave so much to.”

Off the ice, records show Lemieux was cited for driving with a suspended license in Palm Beach Gardens in April 2025 and for speeding in January 2024 and paid fines.

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for free and confidential crisis counseling.

The Pittsburgh Penguins will be a fascinating team to watch this off-season. After taking a major step in the right direction this season and making the playoffs, they will be looking to build on their momentum with a strong summer.

One area that the Penguins could look to upgrade is their blueline. When looking at trade candidates around the NHL, Boston Bruins defenseman Mason Lohrei stands out as an interesting potential trade target for the Penguins to consider.

The fit has simply not been there between the Bruins and Lohrei. Because of this, the 6-foot-5 defenseman's name has come up in the rumor mill. With Lohrei being a big offensive defenseman who is only 25 years old, he would be an intriguing player for the Penguins to take a chance on. 

If the Penguins struck a deal for Lohrei, he could work on either their second pairing or third pairing due to his ability to play both sides. Furthermore, he would give the Penguins another option for their power play because of his offensive upside. 

In 73 games this season with the Bruins, Lohrei recorded seven goals, 19 assists, 26 points, 92 blocks, and a plus-17 rating. This is after he had five goals and 33 points in 77 games for the Bruins during the 2024-25 season. With numbers like these, he has shown promise, and it is possible that he could take another step forward playing on a team like the Penguins. 

The Islanders hired longtime OHL coach and former NHL defenseman Jay McKee to lead their new AHL club in Hamilton, Ont.

After spending over a decade coaching in the Canadian junior league, McKee returns to the AHL to spearhead the newly-named Hamilton Hammers in their first season of existence in 2026-27. 

The 48-year-old spent the past five years as head coach of the Bulldogs, a team that relocated from Hamilton to Brantford in 2023.

In 2021-22, his first season with the club, McKee coached the Bulldogs to a 51-12-5 record, the best mark in franchise history, winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champion and reaching the championship of the Memorial Cup. 

Last season, the Bulldogs had the best record in the OHL (48-10-8-2) under McKee. 

This will be McKee’s first head coaching job in the AHL, after the former NHL defenseman served as an assistant for the Rochester Americans in 2011-12. 

He joined the OHL’s Erie Otters as an assistant in 2014-15 before the Kitchener Rangers hired him as an associate coach the following season.

Kitchener then promoted McKee to head coach. 

As the Rangers’ head coach, McKee compiled a record of 120-88-17.

McKee, who began his coaching career as an assistant at Niagara University in 2010-11, played 14 years in the NHL.

The No. 14 overall pick by the Sabres in 1995, McKee spent the first 10 seasons of his career in Western New York and played a key part in Buffalo’s run to the Stanley Cup Final in 1999.

Known for his prowess as a shot-blocker and ruggedness as a defensive defenseman, McKee also made stops in St. Louis and Pittsburgh, finishing his NHL career with 21 goals and 104 assists in 802 career games. 

McKee replaces Rocky Thompson, who was promoted to assistant coach with the Islanders under Peter DeBoer.

Thompson led the Bridgeport Islanders to a playoff berth in his only season in charge of the club.

A familiar face could be joining the Vancouver Canucks organization. According to HockeyNews.se, Alex Edler is set to return to the organization for which he played 925 games. The article doesn't specify a role, but it does provide an update on when Edler would start. 

As per Mattias Oak, "According to information provided to Hockeynews, the plan is for their former Canucks teammate Alexander Edler to help out at this summer's development camp so he will also get a part in the organization." Edler retired from the NHL with the Los Angeles Kings in 2023. On October 11, 2024, Edler signed a one-day contract with Vancouver so he could retire with the Canucks. 

Edler played 15 seasons in Vancouver. The 40-year-old defenceman recorded 409 points with the Canucks, which ranks second among defenders in franchise history. Edler recorded an assist on Henrik and Daniel Sedin's final NHL points, and played 12 seasons with Vancouver's new Co-Presidents of Hockey Operations.

The Canucks usually hold their Development Camp a few days after the draft concludes. Over the past couple of years, the camp has taken place at UBC. Vancouver's Development Camp roster usually includes draft picks as well as NCAA free agents. 

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.

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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.

Over the last couple of weeks, there has been speculation about the future of forward Ilya Mikheyev. His contract with the Chicago Blackhawks is set to expire on July 1st. 

Mikheyev is a candidate to be re-signed because he was a solid middle-six forward for Chicago during some tough days. However, his earned rate and term may be something that the Blackhawks don't want to hand a player in his 30s at this stage of the rebuild. 

Report: Chicago Blackhawks Have Ilya Mikheyev's Negotiating Rights On Trade BlockIlya Mikheyev's negotiating rights have been put on the trade block by the Chicago Blackhawks.

Last week, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet said on "32 Thoughts: The Podcast" that the Blackhawks were shopping his rights. 

"I guess it was let known across the league that Chicago probably isn't going to be able to sign Ilya Mikheyev," Friedman said. "His rights are available if any team wants to talk to him in advance of free agency."

On Friday, Friedman had another report to attach to this story. According to him, on the latest episode of the podcast, the NHL does not want teams doing that. 

Friday morning 32 Thoughts playoff reaction, news, information & analysis pod.

Links to your preferred platform, here:https://t.co/io7Mr1QEpm

Enjoy!

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 29, 2026

Friedman said that allowing an upcoming UFA to speak with other teams without first trading their rights is against the rules. He also reported that a memo was sent out reminding all 32 teams that doing so can result in a penalty of up to $5 million, suspension, and the loss of draft picks. 

“The league's like, no, that's not allowed," Friedman said on letting Mikheyev speak to other teams before trading his rights. "If you want to straight-up trade his rights to another team for a pick, you do that. You can't just give him permission to talk to everybody.”

There used to be a "tampering period" before free agency, during which players were allowed to speak with other organizations, but that is gone. Friedman did say that the league wants it back, but the player's organization isn't a fan. 

“Now, I haven't seen this memo, but I'll tell you one other thing that was interesting about it: that it was hinted in that memo that the league would like to bring back that interview period, but the Players Association is against it.”

The Blackhawks certainly don't want any fines, suspensions, or loss of draft picks, so one should expect them to comply with this memo sent out by the league. They either need to blindly trade Mikheyev to a team willing to take the chance or re-sign him themselves. 

Mikheyev fit in perfectly with the Blackhawks as a penalty killing winger who is solid defensively at even strength, and is good for 15-20 goals per season with absolutely no power play time. Someone like him is perfect for what they are trying to do. 

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One shot slipping under a glove shouldn't define an entire season, but for the Buffalo Sabres, that image may end up shaping their entire summer.

When Alex Newhook's overtime winner found daylight beneath Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in Game 7, Buffalo's season came to a sudden end. The Canadiens advanced. The Sabres went home. And while plenty of factors contributed to the second-round loss, the uncomfortable reality is that Buffalo never had the best goaltender in the series.

That matters.

The Sabres spent most of the regular season receiving competent work from Luukkonen and Alex Lyon. Their tandem helped Buffalo capture the Atlantic Division and provided enough stability behind a structured defensive system. For long stretches, the arrangement worked exactly as intended.

The playoffs told a different story.

When postseason hockey becomes tighter, faster, and more reliant on game-changing saves, merely being solid is rarely enough. The Canadiens received that extra level from Jakub Dobeš. Buffalo never consistently found it.

Neither Luukkonen nor Lyon completely unraveled, but neither seized the crease and carried the team forward, either. By the time the series reached its decisive moments, the Sabres were rotating between options rather than leaning on a clear answer.

That distinction can be the difference between advancing and cleaning out lockers.

Buffalo's front office can talk itself into continuity. Luukkonen is still in his prime years. Lyon remains a dependable veteran. Colten Ellis showed flashes in limited action. Devon Levi remains an intriguing wild card.

The problem is that none of those options clearly solve the question that now hangs over the organization.

Can Buffalo trust its current goaltending group to win four playoff rounds?

The honest answer is no.

Running the same group back may produce another strong regular season. It may even produce another division title. But after what unfolded against Montreal, it's difficult to argue the Sabres have enough certainty in net to realistically view themselves as a Stanley Cup contender.

That's why this offseason shouldn't be about maintaining the status quo.

It should be about finding an upgrade.

Why Jesper Wallstedt Makes Too Much Sense

If Buffalo is serious about taking the next step, Jesper Wallstedt stands out as the most logical target available.

The 23-year-old has spent years being viewed as one of hockey's premier goaltending prospects, and his first extended NHL opportunity only strengthened that reputation. Wallstedt displayed the poise, athleticism, and consistency expected from a future franchise netminder while proving capable of handling meaningful games.

Most importantly, his timeline aligns perfectly with Buffalo's core.

The Sabres have invested heavily in building around a young nucleus. Acquiring a veteran stopgap may offer a short-term boost, but Wallstedt presents something far more valuable: a chance to solve the position for years rather than months.

His contract only adds to the appeal. Wallstedt carries a manageable cap hit, giving Buffalo flexibility while Jeff Skinner's buyout remains a burden on the books. Unlike many established star goaltenders, adding him wouldn't require reshaping the rest of the roster financially.

The challenge, of course, would be convincing Minnesota to move him.

The Wild won't give away a goaltender with legitimate franchise potential. Buffalo would likely have to part with a significant young asset, potentially from its surplus of highly regarded forward prospects.

That's a difficult conversation.

It may also be a necessary one.

Elite centers are hard to find. Franchise goaltenders are just as rare. If the Sabres genuinely believe Wallstedt can become that caliber of player, this is exactly the type of aggressive move contenders make.

Standing Pat Is The Bigger Risk

For years, Buffalo's organizational focus has been on assembling enough talent to become a playoff team again.

Mission accomplished.

The standard is different now.

The Sabres are no longer trying to end a drought. They're trying to win a championship.

That requires evaluating the roster through a much harsher lens.

Would Buffalo have beaten Montreal with better goaltending?

It's impossible to say with certainty.

Would better goaltending have improved their chances?

Absolutely.

The Sabres don't need a complete overhaul in net. They need a higher ceiling than what they currently possess, and Wallstedt may represent the best combination of age, upside, cost certainty, and long-term value available anywhere on the market.

If Buffalo wants to turn playoff appearances into playoff runs, standing pat feels far riskier than making a bold move.

One final name worth monitoring is Connor Hellebuyck. If the Winnipeg Jets ever become willing to entertain moving a former Vezina Trophy winner, Buffalo would have to make the call. The price tag, age, and salary cap implications make that path far more complicated, however. Wallstedt remains the cleaner fit and, arguably, the smarter long-term bet.

The Sabres spent years searching for relevance.

Now they should be searching for the goalie who can get them past the second round.

There are two great truths in NHL head coaching. The obvious one is that you're hired to be fired. The other is how environmentally friendly the league is with its coaches, committed to reducing, reusing and recycling.

Even the Senators opted to go Green in 2024, hiring Travis Green away from the New Jersey Devils, who were in the process of recycling and reusing Toronto's old coach, Sheldon Keefe.

But very few Senators' head coaches have ever been recycled after being kicked to the curb.

Remarkably, it's been over 20 years since a Sens head coach left the organization and later found an NHL head coaching job elsewhere. The last one to do so on a non-interim basis was Jacques Martin. He was fired in 2004 and found plenty of other opportunities, including a final one here in Ottawa a couple of years ago.

Fans talk a lot about Ottawa being a goalie graveyard, but it's also been kind of a coaches' cemetery.

Since Martin parted company with the Sens the first time, the Sens' list of head coaches who've come and gone includes Bryan Murray, John Paddock, Craig Hartsburg, Cory Clouston, Paul MacLean, Dave Cameron, Guy Boucher, Marc Crawford, and D.J. Smith.

Murray stayed with the Senators, moving away from coaching to take the club's GM job. However, everyone else on the list left the organization, continued to pursue their coaching careers, and never again became a full-time NHL head coach.

After leaving Ottawa:

• Paddock coached nine more years in junior, the AHL, and as an NHL assistant. His final year was with Regina, coaching Connor Bedard.
• Hartsburg coached for seven more seasons in junior as a head coach and an NHL assistant. His swan song was 2015-16 with Columbus, where he was let go when John Tortorella took over, as he inevitably does everywhere.
• Clouston coached three more years in junior, the last in 2015 with Prince Albert. After he was fired, little did the Senators know he'd coach Mark Stone, a prized future asset, the following season in Brandon.
• MacLean got work as an NHL assistant for a bit and now makes the odd appearance as a TSN Sens analyst.
• Dave Cameron has coached for the last seven seasons, been an NHL assistant, a head coach in Austria, and, for the last five years, the head coach of the Ottawa 67s. He just signed a two-year extension.
• Since his firing, Guy Boucher has only coached for one year at a top level as an assistant with Toronto, then one year as a KHL head coach.
• Crawford coached for four more seasons as an assistant in Chicago then worked for a while as a head coach in Switzerland.
• Smith almost immediately got a job as an assistant in Los Angeles under Jim Hiller and when Hiller was fired this season, Smith guided them into the playoffs but only on an an interim basis. The Kings have not yet removed that label and Smith was asked about his status at seasons's end.

"That's a question for Ken," Smith said shortly after losing in round one. "All I know is, as a coach and as a coaching staff, is your team prepared? Are they detailed? And do they show up every night in the answer to that question? Yes, they did, under me.

"Ken's been around a long time. He's won Stanley Cups; he's one of the best in the business. He's a Hall of Fame general manager. He's gonna make that decision. So that's not up to me to decide. I know I did my absolute best."

Speaking well of the boss is always a strong play.

So Smith has a chance to end the drought, and good on him. He's a likable guy, he certainly wasn't set up for success in Ottawa, and the best is probably yet to come.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News