TORONTO (AP) — “Hockey Night in Canada,” a program featuring NHL games that has been part of the national fabric for nearly 75 years on CBC television, will not return to the public broadcaster next season.

A sublicensing agreement between Rogers Communications and the CBC that allowed the show to air on the network expired at the end of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The two sides did not extend the partnership for the 2026-27 season, the first year of Rogers’ 12 year, $11 billion broadcast rights deal with the NHL. The CBC previously aired national games on Saturdays, along with all four playoff rounds each year.

“After a successful 12-year partnership, Sportsnet and CBC today announced the public broadcaster will no longer carry NHL broadcasts after the current season as it moves forward with a new sports programming strategy following the unprecedented success of the Milan-Cortina Olympic Games,” Sportsnet and the CBC said Tuesday in a joint statement. “Watching hockey on Saturday night is a time-honoured tradition for Canadians, and Sportsnet is privileged to continue delivering that tradition."

While the CBC still holds the “Hockey Night in Canada” trademark and could incorporate the brand into future coverage, it’s the first time the traditional program won’t be available to Canadian viewers via the public broadcaster.

“It’s definitely a bit of an end of an era,” CBC Sports executive director Chris Wilson said in a phone interview. “But we’re choosing to look at it more as an opportunity as opposed to a loss.

“But (we) fully understand that it’s going to take an opportunity away from some Canadians to see it on CBC. But that’s unfortunately where we landed, and we’re excited for the next chapter.”

The CBC first aired “Hockey Night in Canada” on television in 1952. It was a Saturday night mainstay for generations of hockey fans.

Broadcasters like Dick Irvin, Bob Cole, Ron MacLean, Don Cherry, Dave Hodge and Foster Hewitt — to name a few — helped provide the soundtrack that Canadians would cherish.

Traditional baby blue blazers — complete with a puck and stick "Hockey Night in Canada" logo on the jacket pocket — were as familiar as the announcers’ voices.

“The CBC’s interest in sports has basically been in amateur sports for quite a while, and other professional sports are on sports channels (like) Sportsnet or TSN,” Hodge said in a phone interview. “Obviously, hockey is on both of those as well. And lately it has come that it’s almost indistinguishable that a game is on this channel or that channel, they all look the same.

“Nobody wears any baby blue jackets with ‘Hockey Night in Canada’ crests to identify it as a Saturday night game. I think that this was coming. It was inevitable.”

Things began to change when Rogers first secured a 12 year, $5.2 billion rights deal with the league in 2013, with many games available on the Sportsnet broadcast platform.

The telecom giant and the CBC agreed on a sublicensing deal for English-language broadcasts of “Hockey Night in Canada," and a separate French-language deal was made with TVA.

Under the setup, Sportsnet produced the games, retained editorial control and managed the advertising.

The CBC’s inclusion helped broaden the reach across the country. It also kept the tradition intact and allowed the broadcaster to promote some of its own programming.

“It was the original appointment television for Canada every Saturday night,” said James Nadler, chair of the radio and television arts media program at Toronto Metropolitan University.

The NHL postseason ended Sunday night when the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup. The 2026-27 regular season will likely begin in late September.

___

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

A former Buffalo Sabres draft pick and forward is hanging up the skates. 

The NHL Alumni's official X account shared that former Sabres forward Luke Adam has announced his retirement. 

Adam was selected by the Sabres in the second round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, 44th overall. From there, he played his first four NHL seasons with the Sabres from 2010-11 to 2013-14.

In 87 games with the Sabres over that span, Adam posted 15 goals, 11 assists, 26 points, and 64 hits. His best season with the Sabres was in 2011-12, though, as he set career highs with 10 goals, 10 assists, and 20 points in 52 games. 

Adam played his final season at the NHL level during the 2014-15 campaign with the Columbus Blue Jackets. However, he played in just three games for the Blue Jackets that year, where he was held off the scoresheet.

While Adam did not spend a lot of time at the NHL level, he put together a long career over multiple leagues. From 2016-17 to 2022-23, he played in the German DEL. He also split the 2023-24 season in both Czechia and Slovakia's leagues before spending each of the last two seasons in the ECHL with the Tahoe Knight Monsters. 

Adam was still an impactful player in the ECHL this season, as he recorded 20 goals, 27 assists, and 47 points in 69 games. However, instead of continuing his career, the 35-year-old is now ready to hang up the skates. 

The Toronto Maple Leafs got the early jump on trade season two days after the Stanley Cup was handed out, shipping goalie Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit to the Philadelphia Flyers for defenseman Emil Andrae, goaltender Samuel Ersson and a 2026 third-round pick. The Leafs faced the prospect of having to carry three goalies on their NHL roster, with Anthony Stolarz, Woll, and youngster Dennis Hildeby not waiver exempt. 

That situation was better than that the Buffalo Sabres face going into next season, as they have four goalies who would have to clear waivers to be sent down to the American Hockey League. Buffalo Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen indicated in his end-of-season remarks last month that he was satisfied with how the trio of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon, and Colten Ellis played last season and that it is possible that the club will carry three goalies next season, but that leaves goalie Devon Levi on the outside looking in.  

The 24-year-old has played 120 games over the last three seasons in AHL Rochester and only nine games for the Sabres. After being demoted to the Amerks after training camp, any chance of seeing NHL action last season was eliminated when Buffalo claimed Ellis off of waivers from the St. Louis Blues in early October.   

Other Sabres Stories

Sabres Emotionally Devastated By Game 7 Overtime Loss

"(Devon is) a talented goalie, he's played some great hockey at the American League level, and he's played some games in the NHL. Probably the toughest position of any positions on a hockey team is to get the responsibility to be a goalie that coaches rely upon on a regular basis,” Kekalainen said. “Next year he'll need waivers, so it's another part of that process, and we see how he keeps developing, and I think he's an NHL caliber talent that has a potential to be a good goalie in this league for a long time." 

Ideally, the Sabres would like to get an asset in the form of a prospect or a high draft pick, but the move that Toronto made on Tuesday may have set the market price for available goalies. Veterans with multiple years of term remaining, such as New Jersey’s Jacob Markstrom ($6 million AAV), Vegas’s Adin Hill ($6.25 million AAV) may require salary retention to be moved. Other goalies reportedly on the market like Columbus’s Elvis Merzlikins ($5.4 million AAV) and Montreal’s Samuel Montembeault ($3.15 million AAV) are not as desirable coming off bad seasons. 

Woll has played well at times, but struggled with a defensively inept Toronto club last season, and the return for him was a bottom pairing blueliner who was not in Rick Tocchet’s system in Philadelphia and a low third round pick. Another disadvantage to the Sabres is that Levi is not the only young, inexpensive goalie looking for a new home potentially available. Detroit first rounder Sebastian Cossa is being shopped by the Red Wings. 

Levi has another year remaining on a two-year bridge deal making $812,500, and their will likely be a number of clubs looking for a tandem or backup goalie this summer, but unless Kekalainen includes Levi as part of a package in a larger deal, it is likely thar the once prized prospect will bring back as good of a return as once expected. 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram @MikeInBuffalo

There are a multitude of different options the New York Rangers can go with their No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft on June 26. 

Here are three defensemen the Rangers could look to draft with their top five selection. 

Chase Reid:

Scott Wheeler of The Athletic has the Rangers selecting defenseman Chase Reid in his NHL Mock Draft 2.0. 

“I’m also starting to think there’s a chance Reid gets here, and if he does, I think they’d take him,” Wheeler wrote.

Reid is a 6-foot-2, 190-pound defenseman from Chesterfield, Michigan, who is coming off an impressive statistical season with the Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League, in which he recorded 18 goals, 30 assists, and 48 points in 45 games. 

The Athletic’s Corey Pronman has the 18-year-old defenseman ranked as his top prospect in the 2026 NHL Draft. 

“Reid is a talented defenseman with a lot of offensive tools. He has the speed, hands, vision and shot to generate chances and be a leading scorer for an NHL team,” Pronman writes. “Reid can create in transition and off the blue line with his feet and creativity, showing high-end improvisation skills. 

“Reid isn't overly physical, but he works hard enough and makes plenty of stops due to his reach, feet and compete level even while playing an aggressive style of play offensively. He projects as a major minutes NHL defenseman who can run a first power play.’”

Alberts Šmits:

Alberts Šmits, a 6-foot-3, 209-pound defenseman, is the No. 2-ranked international skater per NHL Central Scouting.

“The Rangers are the first of these teams that I think would give serious consideration to Alberts Šmits as well,” Wheeler wrote.

The 18-year-old defenseman was the youngest player at the 2026 Winter Olympics, representing Latvia and recording two assists in four games while averaging 18:44 minutes per game.

In 38 games for Jukurit in Liiga, Finland's top league, Šmits recorded six goals, seven assists, and 13 points.

“Šmits is a tall defenseman with impressive mobility and smarts,” Pronman writes. “He can make a reliable first pass and has a big point shot, projecting to have quality amounts of offense at the top level. He isn't a super smart puck-mover, but there's enough touch in his game to project to be reliable with the puck in the NHL. 

“He defends very well due to his length and feet, while also competing hard and being willing to play the body. He projects as a top-pairing defenseman.

Keaton Verhoeff:

Keaton Verhoeff, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound defenseman, was placed No. 4 on NHL Central Scouting's rankings of North American Skaters. 

Wheeler reports that the Rangers like Verhoeff, which indicates that he’s on their radar to be selected with the fifth overall pick. 

The 17-year-old defenseman is coming off a season with the University of North Dakota, in which he posted 17 points through his first 22 collegiate games, but he had only three assists in his final 14 games.

“Verhoeff is a big two-way defenseman. He's a strong skater, especially for his size,” Pronman writes. “He isn't flashy, nor is he overly creative offensively, but he has good skill, sees the ice well and makes difficult plays with a great point shot that will be a threat in the NHL. His decision-making at times can leave you wanting, though. 

“He’s hard on his checks and uses his size. In college, he wasn't a hard minutes defenseman this season, but he has been at the junior level, and he was a 17-year-old on a top college team. He projects as a tough-minutes top-pair defenseman in the NHL who could score at a quality clip.

The Nashville Predators have acquired center Ross Colton from the Colorado Avalanche for two third-round picks, the team announced on Tuesday, June 16.

In the trade, the Predators acquire Colton and goaltender Isak Posch for Nashville's third-round pick in 2026, Colorado's third-round pick in 2027 (which was previously acquired by Nashville), and goaltender Magnus Chrona.

This is Chris MacFarland's first trade since being hired as the Predators' president of hockey operations and general manager.

Colton, 29, scored nine goals and 15 assists in 73 games as a mostly third-line center for the Avalanche last season. Over six seasons, Colton has 89 goals and 87 assists in 404 games for the Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning.

Colton is in the final year of a four-year, $16 million deal he signed with Colorado in 2023. He will earn $4 million in 2026-27 and has a modified no-trade clause.

According to Puck Pedia, the Predators have more than $27 million in cap space for the 2026-27 season.

A 6-foot, 197-pound center, Colton brings a balanced approach up the middle. He's not flashy on offense, but he's an excellent possession player and wins face-offs. Barring other moves, Colton should join Ryan O'Reilly, Matthew Wood, and Fedor Svechkov as the team's top centers entering next season.

BLUEPRINT: What the Nashville Predators can learn from Hurricanes' Stanley Cup winning blueprint

Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. He never uses artificial intelligence when developing or drafting stories. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Predators acquire center Ross Colton in trade with Avalanche

The Carolina Hurricanes are Stanley Cup champions as of Sunday, but the off-season rumor mill took no time to get moving. The New Jersey Devils are involved. 

Over the last couple of days, Kevin Weekes of ESPN and NHL Network speculated about two players currently on the New Jersey Devils. 

Over the weekend, Weekes reported that the New Jersey Devils are shopping goaltender Jacob Markstrom. 

After signing him to a contract extension during the 2025-26 season, which is worth $12 million over 2 years (cap hit of $6 million each year), they are already trying to move off of him.  

Per sources, although a deal isn’t imminent , I’m told the @NJDevils are
gauging market interest from clubs on
G Markstrom . #HockeyXpic.twitter.com/spVTY3AWN9

— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) June 13, 2026

For one, Markstrom wasn't good enough in 2025-26. He was supposed to be a stopgap at the position for the Devils during his tenure, but he has not lived up to it. 

Markstrom took over as the starting goalie for Sweden in the Olympics, but his NHL numbers left a lot to be desired. His 3.07 goals against average and .883 save percentage were simply not good enough. 

Not only would the Devils be upgrading at the position if they moved on from Markstrom, but they would also free up all of that cap space, which they desperately need. 

Weekes also reported that teams are calling about defenseman Simon Nemec. This is an entirely different situation, because Nemec still has a long NHL future ahead of him. He could even be a star. 

A name per sources that’s of interest to other clubs is RFA D Nemec , as it hasn’t been the smoothest path / usage with @NJDevils , and he’s an attractive option
given age, talent, upside, should it be decided that they want to move him.#HockeyXpic.twitter.com/m3nF2bfAQW

— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) June 16, 2026

Nemec was the second overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, but his transition to the NHL hasn't gone the way he had hoped. The Devils didn't unleash him once he reached the NHL, and his usage has been questionable at best. 

2025-26 was a career year for the young Slovakian defender. He had 11 goals and 15 assists for 26 points in 68 games played. His defensive game is still a work in progress, which is normal for a 22-year-old with under 200 NHL games played. 

The prize for trading Markstrom is freed-up cap space and the potential for better goaltending from elsewhere. The prize for Nemec could be high-end help at forward, specifically a goal-scoring winger, which is something the Devils also need. 

Dougie Hamilton has been in trade rumors since last fall, but it hasn't come up in a while. Hamilton, Luke Hughes, Brett Pesce, Brenden Dillon, Jonathan Kovacevic, and Jonas Siegenthaler are the NHL defencemen currently under contract. 

If another team were to acquire Nemec, they would need to sign him, as he is a restricted free agent. He is likely to get a nice contract with his upside as the main point of emphasis. 

As for goaltending, potentially without Markstrom, Jake Allen is signed to a long-term deal. They also have Nico Daws and the potential to make a trade for someone else that they think can help them. 

Reporting on Nemec and Markstrom isn't the only New Jersey Devils nugget from Kevin Weekes over the last week. He also noted that talks are ongoing between the team and captain Nico Hischier. He speculated that they will come to a medium-term contract in the $11-13 million range. 

👀 Although talks are ongoing, my speculation is that C Hischier and @NJDevils will land on a medium term contract extension somewhere between
11M- 13M range … #HockeyXpic.twitter.com/UgX43i5Cjj

— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) June 11, 2026

It is incredibly important for the Devils to sign Hischier unless they are bringing in another center of equal or better value. Hischier is a premier two-way player who impacts the game in all three zones. 

Paired with Jack Hughes, who is a dynamic offense-focused center, Hischier is a perfect complement. Getting him extended, as he is entering the last year of his current deal with a cap hit of $7.25 million, is the most important task of the entire offseason. 

One thing is for certain: Sunny Mehta is wasting no time when it comes to trying to make the roster better. 

Visit The Hockey News New Jersey Devils team site to stay up to date on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

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 Nashville Predators have announced that they've acquired forward Ross Colton and goalie Isak Posch from the Colorado Avalanche.

The Predators are sending back their own 3rd round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, as well as Colorado’s 3rd round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and goalie Magnus Chrona. Colorado's pick was previously acquired in another deal.

This is the first move that Chris MacFarland has made as general manager of the Predators. And it's a move to bring a player that he bought to the Avalanche to his new team.

Colton, 29 scored nine goals and 15 assists for 24 points in 73 games last season. He is known as a bit of a sparkplug who uses his body to energize his teammates. He had 159 hits last season, which was third on the Avalanche.

In a statement released by the Predators, MacFarland had this to say:

“We are very excited to add Ross Colton to our forward mix,” MacFarland said. “Ross is a versatile, two-way winger who will add sandpaper and grit into our middle six group.”

As for Posch, he is an AHL goalie who played the last two seasons with the Colorado Eagles. In the 2025-26 season, he had a record of 15-8-4. 

MacFarland also commented on the acquisition of Posch.

“Isak Posch is a talented young netminder who was selected to play in the AHL All-Star game this past year,” MacFarland said. “He is a big goaltender who will add to our already impressive goalie depth.”

The Colorado Avalanche have traded forward Ross Colton (no salary retention) and goaltender Isak Posch to the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick (Predators), a 2027 third-round pick (Avalanche), and goaltender Magnus Chrona.

We have traded Players (F) Ross Colton and (G) Isak Posch to Nashville in exchange for Nashville’s own 3rd round pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, Colorado’s own 3rd round pick in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft (previously transferred to Nashville in a prior transaction), and Player… pic.twitter.com/59E6WfYRlN

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 16, 2026

Ross Colton has been a name this entire season, especially at the trade deadline, as a player the Avalanche might want to move off for salary cap reasons, and now they have successfully done so without having to give up any draft picks or valuable prospects.

Moving off his $4 million cap hit now frees up just under $7 million for the Avalanche to re-sign some key free agents this summer.

The #GoAvsGo re-acquired their own 2027 3rd Round Pick in this trade. This makes them now eligible to sign a player to an offer sheet in the $1.576M to $2.388M range this summer.https://t.co/9nq5PKV1sfhttps://t.co/Gxed4yUeX3pic.twitter.com/3oxPDDmCT8

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) June 16, 2026

Isak Posch was a young goaltender prospect who played pretty well with the AHL Colorado Eagles, finishing with a 15-8-7 record, a .891% save percentage, and a 2.78 goals-against average.

In return, Magnus Chrona is a 6-foot-6 goaltender whom the Tampa Bay Lightning drafted in the fifth round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. This past season with the Milwaukee Admirals, he had a down season compared to his previous seasons, finishing with a 9-11-6 record, a .894 SV%, and a 2.94 goals-against average.

T.J. Hughes’ Road To The Avalanche Starting Lineup Next SeasonAfter a dominant postseason run with the Eagles, the Hobey Baker finalist’s elite playmaking and versatility position him to challenge for a role with the Colorado Avalanche next season.

Former Senator Vaclav "Vinny" Prospal is back in the NHL.

13 years after his long 1108-game NHL career came to a close, Prospal returned to the league on Monday when the St. Louis Blues signed him to a multi-year contract to be one of Jim Montgomery's assistant coaches, starting this fall.

In a team press release, Montgomery spoke highly of the former Senator, who played in Ottawa from 1998 to 2001.

“Vinny brings a creative offensive mind, honed by his success as a player on the power play and five-on-five," Montgomery said.

Over the past three seasons, Prospal has been learning the North American coaching ropes as an assistant coach with the Rochester Americans, Buffalo's top farm club. Before that, he served three years as head coach of a pro team in Czechia, and did two years as an assistant coach of his national team.

Now 51, Prospal can look back on an outstanding NHL career, appearing in 1,108 games, 213 with Ottawa, and scoring 765 career points. He suited up for Czechia at the 2006 Winter Olympics, and twice won gold at the Worlds.

His arrival in Ottawa in March of 1998 was the end of a disappointing chapter for the Senators organization, which had nothing to do with Prospal. When the Sens drafted Quebec Junior phenom Alexandre Daigle in 1993, the entire hockey world thought they had acquired the game's next great superstar.

Daigle ended up being a good NHL player, but certainly not a great one. When they finally accepted that and moved on, the Senators dealt him to Philadelphia for Pat Falloon, who went second overall in the 1991 NHL Draft after Eric Lindros. Falloon never panned out either, and he played just 28 career games with the Sens.

But the Sens also got Prospal in that deal, and though he was merely a third-round pick by the Flyers, he was by far the best player in the deal.

In January of 2001, after his slow start to the season, Prospal was traded to Florida for a mid-round draft pick, which was a terrible decision in hindsight.

Prospal went on to play 818 more games in the NHL.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News 

This story was first published at The Hockey News' Ottawa Senators site. Check out more from THN.com/Ottawa at the links below.

Jason York Shares A Wild Mike Babcock Story From Their Anaheim Days
Senators Reveal Their First-Round Draft Approach 
Former Senators Forward Retires From Hockey At 34
Senators Top Amateur Scout Weighs In On Yakemchuk's First Pro Season
LA Kings Get Their Man, And The Ex-Senators Coaching Drought Continues
Why Brady Tkachuk Is Poised For A Monster Bounce-Back Season

With each passing day, we are closer to July 1, the day free agency begins. As we inch closer to that, the likelihood of the Florida Panthers re-signing goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky decreases.

If the Panthers do move on from their longtime goaltender, seven years to be exact, they’ll need to be quick in finding a replacement. 

Whether it’s through a trade or via free agency, the Panthers have high-end options to consider. Today, we are going to look at five options the Panthers can explore.

Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets

Connor Hellebuyck is the big fish, the league-altering move that the Panthers can make. To bring Hellebuyck to Florida from the Winnipeg Jets, the Panthers will have to pay a premium price in a trade. 

The move would be worth it, as Hellebuyck is a three-time Vezina Trophy winner with an Olympic gold medal to his name.

At 33 years old and entering the third season of a seven-year, $8.5-million contract, Hellebuyck would be the Panthers’ starting goaltender for a long time, following the footsteps of Bobrovsky. 

Exploring Panthers Goaltending Situation, Interest In Connor Hellebuyck Amid Negotiations With Sergei BobrovskyAs Sergei Bobrovsky seeks his next contract, Florida faces a crease crisis as Bill Zito and his staff must decide which direction the Panthers will go regarding their goaltending.

Jordan Binnington, St. Louis Blues

Like Hellebuyck, Jordan Binnington is a proven winning goaltender who is coming off a difficult season despite starting in the gold medal game of the Olympics. 

The St. Louis Blues might be looking to go in a different direction with Joel Hofer in net, and it appears time to move on from Binnington. A change of scenery could do the 32-year-old well.

Unlike Hellebuyck, Binnington is entering the final year of a $6-million contract. This could work out positively or negatively for the Panthers. If he doesn’t pan out, they can let him walk in free agency the following summer, but if he does well, there’s the risk that he can go hunting for a high-paying contract. 

Binnington would cost less than Hellebuyck, but it still wouldn’t be cheap. 

Should The Panthers Target Blues' Jordan Binnington If Sergei Bobrovsky Walks In Free Agency?The Florida Panthers may have a new No. 1 goaltender for the first time since 2019 if Sergei Bobrovsky leaves in free agency. Could St. Louis Blues' Jordan Binnington be the answer for the Panthers?

Jacob Markstrom, New Jersey Devils

Jacob Markstrom is the third veteran goaltender the Panthers could trade for. At 36 years old, Markstrom would be a short-term option for the Panthers, and a reunion.

Markstrom began his career with the Panthers after they selected him with the first pick in the second round of the 2008 NHL draft. He would play just 43 games with the Panthers before moving to the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, and, most recently, the New Jersey Devils. 

Markstrom’s past two seasons with the Devils haven’t been great, but could former Panthers assistant GM Sunny Mehta pull off a move with Bill Zito?

3 NHL trade destinations for Devils' Jacob Markstrom | Sporting NewsThe New Jersey Devils are looking to shop goaltender Jacob Markstrom this off-season, and while his numbers during the 2025-26 season have been poor, there is reason to believe he can bounce back and turn his career around with a new team.

Frederik Andersen, Carolina Hurricanes

Frederik Andersen guided the Carolina Hurricanes to 13 of their 16 wins in the Stanley Cup playoffs, as he dealt with injuries in the last three wins.

He was outstanding through the first three rounds as the Hurricanes lost just one game.

Unlike the first three mentioned names, Andersen is a UFA, and acquiring him wouldn’t require the Panthers to trade for him. At 36 years old, Andersen would also be a short-term option for the Panthers. 

"It's Going To Be Soon": Agent For Sebastian Cossa On When His Client Will Get His Major Opportunity The player agent for Detroit Red Wings prospect goaltender Sebastian Cossa spoke openly about the chances of his client getting a major opportunity, saying that it "will be soon".

Sebastian Cossa, Detroit Red Wings

Sebastian Cossa is the youngest goaltender of this group, but by far the least experienced. 

At just 23 years old, Cossa has played just one NHL game but has posted stellar numbers in the AHL. As a former 2021 first-round pick, Cossa has the pedigree of a starting goaltender; he just hasn’t been provided the opportunity.

While it’s not usually in the Panthers’ nature to trade for young, unestablished players, it could be a calculated gamble that pays off greatly for the Panthers. 

---

See more of The Hockey News on Google and save us as a preferred source. 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.

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jacob Fowler undoubtedly had a successful 2025-26 season. This is because he not only had success at the AHL level with the Laval Rocket but also proved to the Canadiens that he is ready for the NHL.

In 27 games this season with Laval, Fowler posted a 19-7-1 record, a 2.23 goals-against average, a .916 save percentage, and three shutouts. At the NHL level with the Canadiens, he had a 9-6-2 record, a .908 save percentage, a 2.43 goals-against average, and one shutout.

With numbers like these, it is clear that Fowler had a strong season in both leagues. However, with the 21-year-old having a ton of potential, it would not be surprising if we see him hit another new level next season. 

Fowler has the potential to blossom into a star NHL goalie, and he should improve as he continues to gain more experience. If he does take another step forward next season, it would be huge for a Habs club that is entering its Stanley Cup window. 

It is going to be interesting to see what kind of season Fowler can put together for the Canadiens in 2026-27. There is a lot to like about his game. 

With the Stanley Cup playoffs now in the rearview, the landscape for the NHL offseason is becoming clearer by the day. The Anaheim Ducks are currently projected to have $38.8 million in cap space, and the biggest hole in their lineup remains on the right side of their blueline. 

The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported on Tuesday that veteran pending unrestricted free agent defenseman John Carlson (36), via his agent Rick Curran, has relayed to Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek that Carlson intends to remain unsigned and head to the UFA market on July 1. 

Former Anaheim Ducks Goaltender Frederik Andersen is a Stanley Cup Champion

San Diego Gulls Goaltender Calle Clang Signs Two-Year Contract with SHL Club

“I’ve had good discussions with Pat,” Curran told LeBrun. “I told him how much John enjoyed his time in Anaheim. But his preference is to return and play in the East, closer to family and the familiarity with it. Pat was naturally disappointed but completely understood.”

The Ducks acquired Carlson at the 2026 trade deadline from the Washington Capitals in exchange for a conditional 2026 first-round pick and a 2027 third-round pick. 

The goal of the acquisition was to reward the Ducks for their position in the standings, give them the best chance of making the playoffs, and the best chance of succeeding once there. Following the trade, Verbeek stated his intention to attempt to re-sign Carlson at the season’s end.

Carlson was injured at the time of the trade, but he returned to action on March 15, with 16 games remaining in the 2025-26 regular season. After some tense moments down the stretch where their standings position was in question, the Ducks qualified for the NHL Playoffs for the first time since 2018, going 7-6-3 with Carlson in the lineup.

To the Ducks’ lineup, Carlson brought with him a veteran poise and offensive production. He scored 14 points (3-11=14) while averaging 24:11 in 16 regular season games in Anaheim. He was instrumental in the Ducks’ first-round defeat of the Edmonton Oilers, and though he didn’t get the McDavid matchup during those games, he provided a quality two-way impact and notched four assists.

Carlson only tallied two assists in the Ducks second round series against the Vegas Golden Knights, as the entire team had a difficult time cracking the Knights’ zone coverage and penalty kill. 

The Ducks were one of the NHL’s worst defensive teams in 2025-26, and are a young team looking to build on their year and become sustainable contenders for years to come. So, the acquisition of Carlson, who can mostly be considered an “offensive defenseman” at this stage in his career, and was on an expiring contract, may have caused some to scratch their heads. Especially given the reported availability of defensemen like MacKenzie Weegar, Colton Parayko, and Rasmus Ristolainen at the deadline, all of whom either have more term, are younger, and are better stylistic fits. 

Reports indicate that Carlson’s preference will be to return to the East Coast on his next contract. Other Ducks right-shot defensemen Radko Gudas and Jacob Trouba are also pending UFAs, leaving Drew Helleson, Ian Moore, and Tristan Luneau as the only RHDs in the Ducks’ organization with NHL experience. 

The first-round pick that the Ducks sent to Washington in exchange for Carlson will be the 18th overall pick on June 26. It will mark the first time since 2017 that the Ducks won’t have a pick on the first day of the NHL Draft. 

Anaheim Duck Prospect Maxim Masse Wins CHL Player of the Year Award

Revisiting the Chris Kreider Trade to the Anaheim Ducks One Year Later

Anaheim Ducks Rumor Roundup: 6/13/26

The signing of T.J. Hughes out of the NCAA has been a wonder for the Colorado Avalanche. The Hobey Baker finalist, in his short span with the AHL Colorado Eagles, has already shown the fanbase and organization what's to come from him and how things can look even better.

Despite the Eagles losing to the Chicago Wolves in the Western Conference Finals in the Calder Cup Playoffs, as every game and series passed, Hughes managed to get more and more comfortable and show off different elements of his game that can really show how a successful training camp could have him as a runner-up for the final spot on the Avalanche 2026-27 opening night roster.

A Great Fit For The Middle-Six

After finishing his season with the University of Michigan and signing with the Avalanche, he played only two regular-season games before the team prepared for the playoffs, finishing with a goal and an assist.  While his first couple of games showed some nervousness and unfamiliarity with the environment, in every game that followed, he showed increasing confidence with his linemates and the AHL's style of play.

By the end of the Eagles' run of the playoffs, he finished with four goals and 10 assists for 14 points in seventeen games played. That's the third most points on the team behind Tristen Nielsen (17) and Ivan Ivan (15). Before Game 3 of the Calder Cup Finals between the Toronto Marlies and the Wolves, Hughes is still ninth in terms of scoring in the entire playoffs.

What really stands out in his game is his playmaking, as he can read plays and make the most of them however he can, all while playing as the second-line center. He was able to follow the play well and be in position for loose pucks, and while four goals wasn’t the most on the team, his shot volume was high as he finished with 54 shots on goal, the second most on the team behind Neilsen (56) and still fourth most among all AHL playoff skaters.

The Michigan boys are at it again! pic.twitter.com/JAuMUYXADo

— Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) May 18, 2026

What really interests me is how the Avalanche could use him if he makes the lineup. While he is naturally a center, we have seen him play on the right wing at times, which opens up possibilities within the lineup. He probably won't play a center role in the top six, but he could see time on the wing if the role fits or if there is an injury.

The most sense is in a bottom-six position right away as a center to utilize his skills to the fullest, with players like Parker Kelly, Logan O’Connor, and Nicolas Roy; many defensive players can help Hughes while matching his speed and skills on offense.

How This Offseason Could Determine His Role

The Avalanche are in for a ride this offseason, and it's already started pretty hot. From fans wanting head coach Jared Bednar fired to General Manager Chris MacFarland, who is leaving for the Nashville Predators, change is on the way, and we learned that from Joe Sakic at the end-of-season media conference.

Avalanche’s End-of-Season Media Availability: What Sakic & Kronke Had To SayGeneral Manager and President of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic and KSE Vice Chairman Josh Kronke spoke with the media today about the past Colorado Avalanche season and how things look for the future of the team

The bottom six as a whole could look a lot different to start next season. Joel Kiviranta is an unrestricted free agent, and Jack Drury and Zakhar Bardakov are restricted free agents. I’ve made my case for why Drury should be a key focus for the Avalanche to keep, but we could see Kiviranta go, with Bardakov as another player between the Eagles and Avalanche on a two-way deal.

Then there's the cap situation: the Avalanche have just under $3 million in cap space, and that's not gonna be enough if they want to keep Drury and Brett Kulak. So we could be looking at cap casualties like Ross Colton or Valeri Nichushkin. 

If this team wants to match last season's success, it needs production up and down the lineup, as it did. With how well Kelly played last season, the ability to get a full season of a healthy O’Connor, and hopes of re-signing Drury with Roy to fill out the center positions, a guy like Colton needs to go, given his cap hit and limited production. 

Before signing Hughes, other playoff teams in the league thought Hughes could jump right into their lineup and help produce. With what Hughes showed this playoff run with the Eagles, it's time for the Avalanche to put that faith into him and reap the benefits of his cheap ELC to improve other areas of the team. 

David Pagnotta: Re TJ Hughes (college free agent): Teams like Toronto and Edmonton have viewed him as a player that can step in and play with some of the big boys right out of the gate - The Sheet (4/3)

— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) April 10, 2026

Why the Avalanche's Biggest Battle Will Start on Day One of Training CampScott Wedgewood turned an unexpected opportunity into the best season of his career and helped make “The Lumberyard” one of hockey’s most surprising stories, but now Mackenzie Blackwood enters training camp facing the toughest battle of all: winning back Colorado’s crease.

The Carolina Hurricanes have barely had time to pop the champagne and the sportsbooks are already moving on, posting their early Stanley Cup odds for the 2026-27 season. 

As always with early markets, there are numbers that make sense and numbers that are going to raise eyebrows, and perhaps none raises more eyebrows than what oddsmakers have done to the Winnipeg Jets.

Just one season removed from winning the Presidents' Trophy as the NHL's best regular season team, the Jets find themselves tied for the eighth-worst Stanley Cup odds in the entire league at +8000. 

That number puts Winnipeg in the same company as the New York Rangers, a team that finished with the third-worst record in the NHL this past season. The message from the sportsbooks is that they do not believe the Jets will improve next season and may actually get worse.

It is a stunning fall from grace for a franchise that was considered among the elite teams in the Western Conference not long ago. A combination of poor roster decisions and underwhelming additions derailed what should have been a serious Cup run, and Winnipeg ended up missing the playoffs entirely. The market is clearly pricing in that disappointment and expressing serious doubt about the organization's ability to course correct quickly.

Meanwhile, at the top of the board, the Colorado Avalanche open as the outright favorites at +700, with the Hurricanes right behind at +750 as they chase back-to-back titles and a chance to become the fourth consecutive repeat champion since 2016. The Vegas Golden Knights, fresh off a Finals appearance, are listed at +1000 as they look to go one step further next spring.

At the back of the pack, the Vancouver Canucks sit at +50000 and the Calgary Flames at +30000, two franchises that face significant rebuilding before entering any serious contention conversation.

But back to Winnipeg, because the Jets situation deserves a closer look before anyone writes them off entirely. The top of their forward group remains genuinely dangerous, with elite talent that most teams in the league would envy. The issue this past season was depth, and that is precisely where this summer's free agent market sets up favorably for them. 

This is shaping up to be one of the stronger free agency classes in recent years when it comes to middle-six and bottom-six options, exactly the kind of players Winnipeg needs to replenish around their core stars.

General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has cap space to work with and a clear understanding of where this roster needs to be fixed. If he hits on two or three of the right depth additions this summer, the Jets could look like a dramatically different team by October. A franchise with Connor Hellebuyck in net, a proven top-six and a replenished supporting cast is not a +8000 team.

For bettors willing to look past one difficult season, the Jets may represent the best value on the entire board heading into 2026-27. The sportsbooks have lost faith in Winnipeg and the Jets may make it a costly mistake for them.

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.

Now that the Carolina Hurricanes have emerged as Stanley Cup champions in just 19 games, it has become clear that there was no shame in the Senators' first-round exit. 

The 'Canes lost one game in the Eastern Conference bracket, and it came on the heels of an 11-day layoff and back-to-back series sweeps. 

The question most often asked now is: 

“Who was Carolina's toughest opponent in the playoffs?” 

Does it really matter? 

For the record, when comparing the Hurricanes' four playoff foes, the Senators basically had the least effective offence and the most effective defence. 

But more importantly, what can Sens GM Steve Staios glean from watching the 'Canes playoff run if he wants the Senators to enjoy similar success? 

Patience  

Carolina had Rod Brind’Amour as head coach for the last eight years through the highs and lows.  He was an assistant for seven years before that. They kept most of their core together, including Conn Smythe winner Jordan Staal, who's been there throughout Brind’Amour’s entire head-coaching tenure, using the philosophy 'if you build it, they will come.'

'They,' in this case, is the likes of Taylor Hall and Nikolaj Ehlers who could smell a winner. 

The Senators can’t run the same team back from last season and inspire confidence in their fans.  However, if they believe in the core, then they need to keep them together and build around them. 

Keep the core of Tkachuk (8 yrs), Stutzle (6 yrs), Sanderson (4 yrs), Batherson (6 full yrs) and Chabot (9 yrs) together and the missing pieces in free agency will come. 

Structure  

 The Hurricanes' structure and ability to impose their will on their opponents with speed and cohesion were a huge part of their series against the Senators, and when they had that in the other series, it wasn’t even close. 

The good news on that front is that Travis Green and his staff have definitely instilled structure within the game plan without sacrificing the natural skill of their star players. 

However, it was Carolina dictating terms against the Senators and not the other way around during that playoff series. 

So there is still work to be done. 

Wisdom in Free Agency  

 Teams that try to right the ship in free agency often end up sinking, with ill-advised contracts being given out.  Above all, the Senators should be looking to find players who fit the mould of a player who can fit with what Green is trying to do. 

Carolina signed Ehlers to an eight-year deal because he's a player with high skill, but can also play with the pace that Brind’Amour was looking for. 

The sign and trade to get K’Andre Miller allowed the Canes to get a mobile, puck-moving defenseman with size, which every team wants. It was also a shrewd piece of asset management that allowed Carolina to get Miller for the full eight-year extension. 

These acquisitions weren't designed to be team-altering; they were meant to surround the core and fit with the team identity. 

If you will forgive the baseball analogy, the Senators don’t need to swing for the fences this summer.  They just need to advance the runners

They need to replace what's missing organically or through wisely spent free agent dollars, focusing on filling holes with the right player fit. 

Cap Discipline 

With the cap going up $8.5 million to $104 million next season, a lot of focus is on whether or not the Senators will spend to the cap. Michael Andlauer suggested at the recent Sens Alumni golf tournament that he's willing to do whatever it takes in that area.

As the Canes accepted the Stanley Cup on Sunday night, they were nearly $12 million under the cap. That should show that it’s the quality of money spent, not quantity. 

Extensions for the likes of Jordan Spence (2026 RFA), Batherson, Zub, and Amadio (UFA’s in 2027) should be as much or more of a priority for Staios than summer spending on free agents. 

All four will come at a cost.  However, they are the known quantities. They fit what Green is trying to do. 

Watch the Waiver Wire 

The Senators had goaltending issues almost from the outset, with neither of their goalies being effective early on.

But Brandon Bussi was right there for the taking.

Bussi had no experience, and his performance this year was surely a surprise even to the Canes. The Senators' pro scouting needs to identify these types of players the way the Carolina's did, or the way the Florida Panthers did in claiming Sens defenseman Donovan Sebrango. 

The Hurricanes are going to be a force for years to come based on these lessons.  If Ottawa wants to keep pace, and perhaps meet them again later in the playoffs, they need to borrow from this model. 

By Pat Maguire
The Hockey News 

This story was first published at The Hockey News' Ottawa Senators site. Check out more from THN.com/Ottawa at the links below.

Jason York Shares A Wild Mike Babcock Story From Their Anaheim Days
Senators Reveal Their First-Round Draft Approach 
Former Senators Forward Retires From Hockey At 34
Senators Top Amateur Scout Weighs In On Yakemchuk's First Pro Season
LA Kings Get Their Man, And The Ex-Senators Coaching Drought Continues
Why Brady Tkachuk Is Poised For A Monster Bounce-Back Season