Category: NHL

Are you not entertained?

To say that the days leading up to the 2026 NHL Entry Draft on Jun. 26-27 are some of the most exciting we've seen in terms of movement and outright bombshells on the trade market is a vast understatement. In two days time, fans have already seen Brady Tkachuk go to Florida, Simon Nemec moved to Calgary, Jordan Kyrou heading to Washington, and - most recently - defenseman Bowen Byram sent to the Chicago Blackhawks for a package involving their fourth overall pick.

So, in other words, prices are nuts. And, when you consider what players across the league could be getting back as far as returns, it's becoming increasingly more difficult to overlook how the Pittsburgh Penguins have three very nice trade chips on their hands. 

Dating back to the 2025 trade deadline, there has been trade chatter surrounding Penguins' veterans Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell, and Erik Karlsson. Each of them are high-value players - even at their respective ages of 34, 33, and 36 - and given what the going price is for surefire NHL talent right now, even if they're older, they should each demand quite a sizeable return.

Rust is fresh off his seventh-consecutive season of 20 or more goals, and his last three seasons have, arguably, been the three best of his career production-wise, as his three highest career goal totals (28, 31, 29) are from his last three seasons. Rakell has had three of the best seasons of his career as well, with his last two being his best in Pittsburgh. And Karlsson found his vintage form last season with 15 goals and 66 points in 75 games to complement stellar 200-foot play.

It's been a point of emphasis that the Penguins want to take big steps next season and get better while simultaneously getting younger, and if the needle is thread correctly, there is a path for the Penguins to trade all three players and still accomplish that. Hypothetically, if the Penguins were to trade one or two of them to move higher up in the draft and the other one(s) to either recoup assets to flip for or straight-up build a trade package for NHL talent - players like Elias Pettersson, Pavel Mintyukov, Jordan Spence, and Jason Robertson come to mind - there's a chance it could work.

However, given the integral role all three players had in their push to the playoffs last season, it will be difficult to pull that off, no matter how much value each can return.

BREAKING - Bowen Byram, Jordan Greenway Dealt To Blackhawks For Fourth Overall PickBuffalo now has two first-round picks, one in the top five and the 20th overall selection acquired from San Jose

Trading both Rust and Rakell means two of their three most productive top-six players are out. Dealing Karlsson means that their best blueliner, by a country mile, is out. When a team like the Penguins is trying to rebuild without bottoming out, it's hard to do that and trade everyone that has value.

So, it's highly likely that not all three of Karlsson, Rust, and Rakell will be dealt. Karlsson has a full no-movement clause, and his situation is different because of the fact that the Penguins will not be better next season if they move Karlsson without an immediate stopgap replacement, at least until promising blue line prospect Harrison Brunicke is ready for top-four NHL minutes.

The situation is not the same for the two forwards, however.

The Penguins may very well trade both Rust and Rakell, especially given the kinds of returns we're seeing prior to the draft. Rust has no trade protection, while Rakell has an eight-team no-trade list. But, if they want to compete next season, it might behoove them to hold onto one of them until, at least, the 2027 trade deadline, when another younger player or prospect may have had some runway to establish himself and when the team has a good idea of where it's at.

Now That The Trade Floodgates Have Opened, Eyes Are On Kyle Dubas And The PenguinsThe Pittsburgh Penguins may not have the "big-fish targets" like some other teams do right now, but because of where they find themselves, they'll be one of the more interesting teams to follow in the next two weeks.

Chances are that neither player will, all of a sudden, experience a drastic fall-off if they are tethered to Sidney Crosby. And, because of their cap hits relative to their production and roles - Rust makes $5.125 million and Rakell $5 million, both for two more years - the Penguins should still be able to recoup significant assets if they choose to deal the second one later on.

Many folks are flooding social media with trade proposals - whether to move up in the draft or to acquire a younger NHL player - involving Rakell, which is understandable. He has spent parts of five seasons in Pittsburgh, while Rust has spent all 12 seasons of his career as a Penguin.

From a sentimental point of view, and from the vantage point that Rust has been Crosby's longtime winger preceding Rakell, there is a general consensus that if only one of the two are dealt, it should or would more likely be Rakell. After all, Rust - beyond his tenure in Pittsburgh - is a huge presence in the Penguins' locker room, and his intangibles are invaluable.

Josh Yohe: Re Bryan Rust/Penguins: Kyle Dubas doesn’t want to trade him, but contending teams have wanted Rust for years and still do - The Athletic (6/16)

— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) June 24, 2026

But - from a logistical point of view - if only one of Rust or Rakell is to go, it should be Rust. 

When it comes to Rust and Rakell, at the end of the day, they are actually very similar players in very similar spots. They are a similar age, both are at respectable and similar point-per-game paces, they are good for 25-30 goals every season, barring health, and they have been mainstays alongside 87.

Rust's reputation and history - as well as his consistency - have made him a coveted veteran asset for many contending teams for years now. Given their similar production, it's fair to assume that the "reputation" factor gives Rust a small nod over Rakell in the trade market. 

However, just because Rust likely has more perceived value on the trade market than Rakell, that doesn't mean that he is the better player now. Yes, Rust is still an effective penalty killer, he produces at a high clip, and he can still generate on the forecheck. In a lot of ways, Rust was a better and more complete player in his prime than Rakell ever was historically. 

2 Penguins Star Wingers Make New Trade BoardCould the Penguins trade two of their top wingers this off-season? 3 Potential Trade Fits For Penguins' Rickard RakellWhich teams could target Rickard Rakell this off-season?

But there are other areas of Rust's game that have fallen off pretty drastically. For one, he has become a near liability on defense. His ability to hold onto pucks, especially in the offensive zone, has also waned, he loses a lot of puck battles, and his speed isn't nearly as much a factor as it was for him in his younger days. A lot of Rust's game is built around his speed and hardline north-south play, and that's not necessarily a sustainable style for someone well into their 30s. 

Rakell's last two seasons in Pittsburgh have been very good ones, and in their push to the playoffs this season, he - along with Karlsson - was one of the team's most valuable players in a March stretch that was largely played without Sidney Crosby and was their toughest and most crucial stretch of the season. In fact, he had 14 goals and 24 points in a 20-game stretch from Mar. 1 - Apr. 5, going pointless in just three of those games. Rust also had nine goals and 23 points in that same stretch, but Rakell found ways to drive play from a relatively unfamiliar position in addition to producing on his own.

He can play center and wing, and - taking away his less-than-ideal work in the faceoff dot - he manned the center position pretty well by the end of the season. He is an effective power play presence, he can kill penalties, he forechecks well, he is decent at the net-front, his shot is well above NHL average, and he began to show more of a playmaking side to his game this season. Plus, he has a higher ceiling as a goal-scorer with three 30-plus goal seasons under his belt.

NHL Board Of Governors Approves Penguins Sale From FSG To Hoffmann FamilyThe NHL's Board of Governors has officially approved the sale of the Pittsburgh Penguins from Fenway Sports Group to the Hoffmann Family.

At this juncture, Rakell - who is also a year younger than Rust - is probably the better overall player, and his positional versatility could help the Penguins a great deal as they transition the roster to becoming younger. And, if Rust is dealt, Rakell will likely become Crosby's go-to trigger man, which could uptick his production even more and make a trade something they can revisit later on next season, when he should still net pretty significant value.

If Rust's current value is higher, and teams covet him a bit more than they covet Rakell despite Rakell showing evidence of being a more effective all-around player in the now, Rust is the no-brainer as the one to go.

No, the Penguins cannot trade everyone if they hope to execute the type of rebuild they're trying to pull off. But some have to go to make it work, too, and it appears that time has arrived. Rust is one of the most underrated Penguins' players of all-time, and the two-time Stanley Cup champion built a legacy in Pittsburgh as one of its longest-tenured members of the Crosby era.

But, in order to move forward, some significant parts of the past must be parted with. If trading Rust is what helps the Penguins land a young NHLer who can help them now and moving forward or a top-five draft pick who will be a franchise-type player, it has to be done. And he should be the first of the three big dominoes to fall for the Penguins. 

Several Intriguing Prospects To Be Featured At Penguins' Development CampPittsburgh will hold its annual prospect development camp from Jun. 29 - Jul. 3.

---

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!   

Trades are starting to fly in the NHL in the lead-up to the 2026 draft, including a big one Tuesday night that saw a playoff team leap into the top five.

The Chicago Blackhawks sent the fourth overall pick, a second-round pick and defenseman Louis Crevier to the Buffalo Sabres for defenseman Bowen Byram and forward Jordan Greenway.

Who won the deal, and what does it mean? We break it down:

Chicago Blackhawks trade grade: C-

This ... is a really big gamble by Chicago. The Blackhawks had the fourth overall pick because they have been, uh, really bad. They haven't qualified for the playoffs in a full 82-game season since 2017 and despite showing an 11-point improvement in 2025-26, they were still the second-worst team in the league.

Is Byram, the focal point of this deal, good enough to justify the cost? He's a good player, no doubt, recording a career-high 42 points this past season. A former fourth overall pick himself in 2019, Byram, who just turned 25, has also now been traded twice already in his career − perhaps an indication of how his teams have valued him.

He'll likely pile up points on the back end in an expanded role ... which could have the 2027 unrestricted free agent looking at a hefty contract extension if a deal isn't already in the works. If he accelerates Chicago's rebuild and leads to a true playoff return, perhaps it will all be worth it.

Buffalo Sabres trade grade: A-

That's a big if, though. For Buffalo, it's hard to look at this deal as anything other than a big win.

The Sabres just made the playoffs for the first time in 15 years and nearly pushed to the conference final, falling in overtime of Game 7 in the second round. They now will add a premium young talent to their roster in the immediate or not-too-distant future in exchange for a defenseman who'd been a past subject of trade rumors and who clearly didn't fit into the Sabres' long-term plans.

Beyond resolving their question about Byram's future, the Sabres also freed up significant cap space in this deal, with Byram's number set for $6.25 million and Greenway − a hard-nosed veteran role player − set for $4 million. And Crevier isn't nothing, either. The 25-year-old defenseman put up 25 points in 78 games, his -2 the best mark by any defenseman on Chicago's roster.

This feels like a move that should help the Sabres build on their breakthrough season.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bowen Byram trade grades, analysis of Sabres-Blackhawks deal

The Columbus Blue Jackets will be a team to keep an eye on once free agency begins. The Blue Jackets could end up being a busy team on July 1, as they are entering the summer with multiple pending free agents and roster needs to address.

One area that the Blue Jackets could focus on this off-season is their center depth. This will especially be the case if they are unable to re-sign pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) forward Boone Jenner. 

When looking at this year's free agents, one player who the Blue Jackets should consider signing for their bottom six is Vancouver Canucks center Teddy Blueger. 

If the Blue Jackets signed Blueger, they would be bringing a veteran two-way center who works well in the bottom six and kills penalties. While he would not be the flashiest of off-season additions, he would give the Blue Jackets' forward group a bit of a boost as they look to take that next step and become a playoff team in 2026-27. 

On a bad Canucks team in 2025-26, Blueger quietly had a strong season, even if he was sidelined for more than half of it. In 35 games this past season with the Canucks, he recorded nine goals, eight assists, 17 points, and 55 hits. This is after he had eight goals and 26 points in 82 games for the Canucks during the 2024-25 season. With numbers like these, he is capable of providing some secondary offensive production. 

However, the Blue Jackets would not be signing Blueger for his offensive production. Instead, the 31-year-old center provides his most value when it comes to his defensive play and penalty killing ability. Because of this, he could be a sneaky good signing for the Blue Jackets if they signed him to a short-term deal. 

Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see if the Blue Jackets end up making a push for Blueger this off-season. He would have the potential to be a strong pickup for Columbus' fourth-line center spot, but also could move up the lineup if needed. 

In 453 career NHL games split between the Pittsburgh Penguins, Vegas Golden Knights, and Canucks, Blueger has recorded 58 goals, 111 assists, 169 points, and 603 hits. He also won the Stanley Cup with Vegas back in 2023. 

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

Stay updated with the most interesting Blue Jackets stories, analysis, breaking news, and more!

Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News and never miss a story.

Let us know what you think below.

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.

The Buffalo Sabres have been talking trade involving defenseman Bowen Byram with the NHL Draft fast approaching, when it became apparent that the 25-year-old blueliner was intent on heading to free agency next summer and not signing a long-term extension. On Tuesday, the Sabres dealt Byram to the Chicago Blackhawks, along with winger Jordan Greenway, for the fourth overall pick on Friday, a 2026 second-round pick (45th overall), and defenseman Louis Crevier. 

Byram is in the second year of a two-year, $12.5 million bridge deal and Buffalo GM Jarmo Kekalainen indicated last month that he was interested in extending him, coming off a career-high 42-point season, but there have been indicators that he is either looking for a new deal well out of the Sabres price range or that he wanted to go to another team where he could be the #1 defenseman. 

The young blueliner played behind Norris Trophy winner Cale Makar in Colorado before being dealt to the Sabres for Casey Mittelstadt in March 2024, and the last two-plus seasons has been playing on the second pairing behind team captain Rasmus Dahlin.

 Other Sabres Stories

Sabres Emotionally Devastated By Game 7 Overtime Loss

Greenway was signed to a two-year, $8 million contract extension last March by former GM Kevyn Adams, coming off an injury-plagued season in which he had just eight points in 34 games. The 29-year-old winger’s mid-body injuries lingered into this season, where he scored just one goal in 40 games, which led to speculation that he could be bought out. 

Crevier, 25, was a seventh round pick of the Hawks in 2020 and played in the AHL and NHL from 2023 to 2025, but last season played in Chicago, posting 25 points (7 goals, 18 assists) in 78 games. The 6’8”, 225 lb right-hander also showed a mean streak for the first time, compiling 63 penalty minutes. 

With the trade, the Sabres now have two picks in the first round at fourth  and 20th overall (acquired in the deal last week for Michael Kesselring). The expectation is that the Toronto Maple Leafs will select Gavin McKenna with the top pick, and after trading forward William Eklund to Ottawa for the ninth overall pick, there is speculation that San Jose will take Swedish forward Ivar Stenberg. If Vancouver selects Caleb Malhotra third, Buffalo will have their pick of the crop of a rich defensive class, headed by Soo Greyhounds blueliner Chase Reid, North Dakota’s Keaton Verhoeff, Latvian Albert Smits, or Prince George’s Carson Carels.  

Follow Michael on X, Instagram @MikeInBuffalo

Tuesday was a huge day for trades around the National Hockey League. The Chicago Blackhawks joined the party in the evening when they acquired defenseman Bowen Byram and forward Jordan Greenway from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for the 4th overall pick, the 45th overall pick, and defenseman Louis Crevier. 

The Blackhawks had a chance to draft Byram when they had the third overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. Instead, they opted to go with Colton Dach, who has since been traded away. The Colorado Avalanche selected him one pick later. 

Byram won the Stanley Cup with Colorado in 2022 and was traded to the Sabres during the 2023-24 season. He has developed into a great defenseman over that period of time, which includes a career year in 2025-26. 

During that career year, Byram had 11 goals and 31 assists for 42 points as a part of a defense core that's loaded with good players like Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, and Mattias Samuelsson. Buffalo ended its NHL-record-setting playoff drought in the process.

The biggest stat for Byram, however, was the fact that he played in all 82 games. He battled some injuries early in his career, but that all seems to be in his past. 

Now, he will come to the Chicago Blackhawks and be one of their leaders on the blue line. Although he is a fresh 25-year-old, he has a lot of experience in big games under his belt. With most of their defensive players under the age of 24, he is the elder statesman now. 

The Chicago Blackhawks had a lot of options with that fourth overall pick, but there was growing concern that the player(s) they wanted were not going to be available to them. Instead, they sent it to Buffalo in this deal for Byram. 

Byram comes in with a $6.25 million cap hit for 2026-27. He will be an unrestricted free agent after that, so the Blackhawks will be in line to give him a massive extension. With him taking on a bigger role, it will be a hard contract to live up to.

Jordan Greenway comes to Chicago as a physical style 4th line forward. He will bring an element to the game that the Blackhawks are lacking. 

In addition to that 4th pick, the 45th pick is a high-value pick that originally belonged to the New York Islanders. It's a steep price to pay for Byram, but that's the price for making trades these days. 

Louis Crevier, also involved in this deal, is a big 6'8" defenseman who can consistently pump 100+ mph shots on the net. The Blackhawks did a great job developing him, but Buffalo will receive the fruit of that labor. 

There is no denying that this is a risky trade for Kyle Davidson and the Chicago Blackhawks. There is a lot of stock being put in Bowen Byram with this deal, and that will only increase when he gets that inevitable extension. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks 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 Devils added some draft capital on Tuesday, dealing defenseman Šimon Nemec to the Flames in exchange for a pair of conditional first-round draft picks in 2027 and 2028, as well as a second-round pick in this week’s NHL draft. 

The Devils will also receive 21-year-old defensive prospect Etienne Morin and the Flames will get former Islander Maxim Tsyplakov. 

The conditional picks are top 10 protected. 

Nemec is coming off a season in which he put up a career high 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists) in 68 games for New Jersey and had wrapped up his third season in the NHL since being drafted No. 2 overall in the 2022 NHL Draft by the Devils’ previous general manager, Tom Fitzgerald. 

Tuesday’s deal is one of the first sizeable moves made by new GM Sunny Mehta as the Devils prepare for this week’s draft. 

Nemec was set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer after completing his rookie contract, and the deal indicates that Mehta opted not to engage with what likely would have been a pricey extension and move Nemec while interest was there. 

The Devils have a dearth of defensemen at the moment in Luke Hughes, Dougie Hamilton, Brett Pesce, Brenden Dillon, Jonas Siegenthaler and Johnathan Kovacevic. 

The team also had prospect Seamus Casey and signed their No. 10 overall pick in 2024, Anton Silayev. 

If Nemec turns into a high-end defenseman, the deal could come back to haunt Mehta and the Devils, but for now, the team has essentially seen enough for the organization to be comfortable making Tuesday’s deal. 

The added draft picks could make for an interesting Friday and Saturday for the Devils, with the possibility that they could use them to make a trade. 

The Devils have roughly $13.1 million in cap space at the moment, according to PuckPedia.

With the Brady Tkachuk trade to the Florida Panthers, there is some shakeup in the top 10 of the 2026 NHL Draft. The Chicago Blackhawks, however, will not see their fourth overall pick impacted by that move.

They still have to wait to see how things unfold with the Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks, and Vancouver Canucks ahead of them.

Early in the process, there was some chatter that the San Jose Sharks would take a defenseman, which could leave Ivar Stenberg for the Blackhawks if the Canucks took Manny Malhotra’s son, Caleb. 

Now, the whispers are that the Canucks may not draft the son of their new head coach. This is what the draft could look like if Stenberg is not available to Chicago because Vancouver flipped the script at the last minute: 

1. Toronto Maple Leafs - Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State

The Toronto Maple Leafs selecting Gavin McKenna would add another star to their crop of great forwards. Assuming they don't trade any of them, he would be wonderful on a power play unit with Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies, William Nylander, and Darren Raddysh. 

2. San Jose Sharks - Chase Reid, D, Sault St. Marie 

The San Jose Sharks made some moves that suggest they are changing their thinking, but they could still use a high-end defenseman at the top of the draft. Chase Reid would provide them with that. 

3. Vancouver Canucks - Ivar Stenberg, LW, Frolunda

The Vancouver Canucks pass on their coach's son here and select Ivar Stenberg. They have a strong history with Swedish forwards becoming stars, and Stenberg has that type of ceiling. 

4. Chicago Blackhawks - Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford

With Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg off the board, the Chicago Blackhawks select the third-best forward in the draft, which is Caleb Malhotra. A selection like this would move one of Anton Frondell or Frank Nazar back to the wing. 

5. New York Rangers - Keaton Verhoeff, D, North Dakota

The New York Rangers take a chance on Keaton Verhoeff's high ceiling with this selection at fifth overall. With Adam Fox's speed in question, Verhoeff would be a great compliment to him. 

6. Calgary Flames - Carson Carels, D, Prince George

The Calgary Flames just traded for Simon Nemec, which adds a great young defenseman to their pool. Carson Carels is another one with an incredibly high ceiling to consider adding to that mix. 

7. Seattle Kraken - Alberts Smits, D, Jukurit

The Seattle Kraken get what could turn out to be a star in Alberts Smits, who helped Latvian hockey take a big step in the Olympics and World Championships. They are desperate for stars, so taking a chance on this player with star potential is the perfect idea for them. 

8. Winnipeg Jets - Daxon Rudolph, D, Prince Albert

Things fall off a bit in terms of potential when it comes to defensemen following the selection of Smits, but Winnipeg is brilliant at taking young defensemen and turning them into great players. Daxon Rudolph would fit right in there. 

9. San Jose Sharks via Ottawa Senators via Florida Panthers - Viggo Bjorck, RW, Djurgarden

This 9th overall pick, which originally belonged to the Florida Panthers, has done some traveling. First, it was traded to the Blackhawks, but it was top-ten protected. Then, Florida used it in the Brady Tkachuk trade with the Ottawa Senators. Finally, the Senators traded it to the Sharks for William Eklund. Now, in this mock, they use it on Viggo Bjorck after using the second overall pick on a defenseman. Bjorck was impressive all season, whether it was with Djurgarden, the World Juniors, or the World Championships. 

10. Nashville Predators - Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston University 

The Nashville Predators had somewhat of a bounce-back year, but it wasn't enough to keep them from finishing with a top-ten pick. Tynan Lawrence, who may be a center or wing in the NHL, is the perfect project for them. At one point, he was projected to be a top-three pick, so taking a chance on his skills at 10 is perfect for Nashville. 

11. St. Louis Blues - Ryan Lin, D, Vancouver

This is the first of three picks for the St. Louis Blues in the 2026 NHL Draft. Selecting a defenseman in Ryan Lin makes sense for them organizationally, but they could probably use a bit of everything at this point. 

12. New Jersey Devils - Wyatt Cullen, F, USDP

Wyatt Cullen is a speedy forward who fits what the New Jersey Devils try to do offensively. His ceiling would allow him to play with one of Jack Hughes or Nico Hischier, which is a reason that they'd take a chance on him. 

13. New York Islanders - Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor

Ethan Belchetz, who will play for Michigan State in 2026-27, is in a great spot for him to work on his abilities. The New York Islanders would have two successful first rounds in a row if they made a selection like this. 

14. Columbus Blue Jackets - Adam Novotny, LW, Peterborough

Adam Novotny is a forward who has some very good goal-scoring skills, and the rest of his offensive game is solid. The Columbus Blue Jackets, who have some wonderful young players, are still trying to build up. This makes Novotny's ceiling worth considering for their long-term plan. 

15. St. Louis Blues via Detroit Red Wings - Oscar Hemming, RW, Boston College 

The St. Louis Blues acquired the 15th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft in the Justin Faulk trade ahead of the deadline. On Tuesday, they traded Jordan Kyrou to the Washington Capitals, which makes adding a high-end forward prospect enticing. Oscar Hemming is a great option for them if he makes it to 15. 

16. St. Louis Blues via Washington Capitals - Malte Gustafsson, LD, HV71 

The Blues received the 16th overall pick in the Kyrou trade, which makes it back to back selections in the mid-teens and three in the top half of the draft. They do need a lot of help all over the roster, but there may be some extra emphasis on defense this year. Malte Gustafsson is one to consider with this selection. 

The NHL offseason has heated up in a big way.

And one team in the Eastern Conference hopes it has found the missing piece to the puzzle.

The Capitals on Tuesday acquired forward Jordan Kyrou in a trade with the Blues in exchange for forwards Connor McMichael and Milton Gastrin and a 2026 first-round pick (No. 16).

Kyrou, 28, broke through during the 2021-22 season with a career-high 75 points — and an All-Star Game appearance — before recording three straight seasons of 30-plus goals, leading the team in scoring each year.

However, his production dipped this past season with just 18 goals and 28 assists for his lowest point total (46) since his third year in the NHL.

The Capitals, who finished with 95 points and missed the playoffs this year, made clear they are thrilled to acquire a player of Kyrou’s goal-scoring and offensive ability.

“Jordan is an exceptionally talented and dynamic offensive player who will make an immediate impact on our club,” general manager Chris Patrick said in a statement. “His skill, creativity, and ability to generate offense at an elite level will be a tremendous addition to our group. At just 28 years old and under contract for the next five seasons, Jordan is entering the prime years of his career. We believe he is an ideal fit for our team both now and for the long term.”

Kyrou signed an eight-year extension worth $65 million before the 2022-23 season, so he’s under contract through the 2030-31 campaign, in theory giving Washington a top-flight forward for years to come.

In McMichael, the Capitals lose their 2019 first-round pick, who, ironically enough, finished with 46 points last season. Gastrin, a center from Sweden, was a second-round pick last year and has yet to make his NHL debut.

On Monday, former Calgary Flames President of Hockey Operations Brian Burke earned induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame. With a career spanning almost four decades, including a Stanley Cup championship with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007, this is one of the highest honors for Burke, who recently served as the Executive Director of the PWHL.

Welcome to the Hockey Hall of Fame, Brian Burke. #HHOF2026#HHOFpic.twitter.com/x1xxOggOpE

— Hockey Hall of Fame (@HockeyHallFame) June 22, 2026

In the NHL, Burke held many leadership positions with several clubs, including the Vancouver Canucks, Hartford Whalers, Anaheim Ducks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins, and, of course, the Flames. 

After serving as President, General Manager, and Senior Advisor with the Maple Leafs, he became the Flames' President of Hockey Operations on Sept. 5, 2013. Within three months, Burke fired then General Manager Jay Feaster, assuming the role for the remainder of the season. 

Behind the bench, Bob Hartley was in his second season with the club, securing a 35-40-7 record for 77 points, improving upon a 19-25-4 record from the shortened 48-game 2012-13 campaign. However, the Flames finished sixth in the Pacific Division.

Interestingly, in the Flames' first trade under Burke, they acquired Joe Colborne from the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sep. 29, 2013. Shortly after the season began, Calgary made its second-ever trade with its provincial rivals, the Edmonton Oilers, acquiring Ladislav Smid and Olivier Roy for Roman Horak and Laurent Brossoit on Nov. 8, 2013.

On Apr. 28, 2014, Burke hired Brad Treliving to be the Flames' eighth General Manager. At the 2014 NHL Draft, Burke's first with the Flames, they selected Sam Bennett with the fourth overall pick. Unfortunately, the rest of that year's draft class was a miss, as none of the five others ever played an NHL game.

In the 2014-15 season, the organization rebounded, qualifying for the Stanley Cup playoffs with a 45-30-7 record, defeating the Canucks in six games before losing to the Ducks in five, both organizations with deep connections to Burke. Yet the success was short-lived, as the team missed the playoffs again in 2015-16, posting an opposite record of 30-45-7. The inconsistencies led to Glen Gulutzan replacing Hartley for the start of the new season.

At least the Flames found some success in Burke's second draft in 2015. Without a first-round pick, they ended up selecting Ramus Andersson at 53rd overall, along with Oliver Kylington (60th overall) and Andrew Mangiapane (166th overall). Meanwhile, one of the biggest trades in franchise history took place on June 26, 2015, when the Flames acquired defenseman Dougie Hamilton from the Boston Bruins for three draft picks: a first- and two second-round picks in the 2015 NHL Draft. 

While Calgary advanced to the playoffs for the second time under Burke's watch in 2016-17, losing to the Ducks in four games after posting a 45-33-4 regular season record, the franchise's future took shape at the 2016 NHL Draft. That year, the Flames selected Matthew Tkachuk with the sixth overall pick, following that up with Dillon Dube at 56th overall and future Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox at 66th overall. As many recall, all three eventually left the organization, with Fox the only one never dressing with the team.

In 2017-18, the Flames scraped by with a 37-35-10 record, missing the playoffs for the third time since Burke's hire. Moreover, the team cycled through goalies, with Burke and Treliving acquiring Niklas Backstrom, Brian Elliott, and Mike Smith while dealing away Chad Johnson and Eddie Lack. Additionally, on Feb. 27, 2016, they traded away fan favorite Jiri Hudler to the Florida Panthers.

At the 2017 NHL Draft, the Flames used their first round pick on Juuso Välimäki (16th overall) and then used their next pick on Adam Ruzicka at 109th overall. Their last three picks in the later rounds never made it into the league.

Despite many ups and downs, Burke stepped down as President of Hockey Operations on Apr. 27, 2018. However, in one of the final moves he oversaw before departing, the Flames relieved Gulutzan of his coaching duties and hired Bill Peters as head coach on Apr. 23, 2018. Under Burke's watch, the Flames went 197-178-35 and only won a total of five playoff games.

Despite the lack of overwhelming success during his time with the club, Burke is the one who hired Brad Treliving, who would go on to leave his fingerprints all over today's roster. Eventually, Treliving would trade Tkachuk for Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar and lose Johnny Gaudreau to free agency. On the other hand, he drafted Dustin Wolf, Connor Zary, Martin Pospisil, and Matt Coronato, pillars of today's rebuild. 

Burke becomes the latest inductee into the Hockey Hall of Fame with connections to the Flames, including the late Cliff Fletcher, Jarome Iginla, Joe Nieuwendyk, Mike Vernon, Al MacInnis, Joe Mullen, Doug Gilmour, Brett Hull, Sergei Makarov, Martin St. Louis, and Lanny McDonald. 

Follow Michael Whitaker On X

On Tuesday morning, it was announced by the Detroit Red Wings that they will be hosting a four-team Prospect Tournament and Training Camp at the BELFOR Training Center inside of Little Caesars Arena in September. 

This breaks from a longstanding tradition for the franchise that began in 1997 of holding Training Camp in Traverse City, Michigan. 

The prospect tournament will feature players from not only the Red Wings but the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Columbus Blue Jackets, starting on Sept. 12. Training Camp will commence on Sept. 17, followed by four exhibition contests. 

Coming this September. ⏳

More on 2026-27 preseason, prospect tournament & training camp » https://t.co/R3p8EmgU7opic.twitter.com/Cpm5PuHSFb

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) June 23, 2026

This will mark only the third time since 1997 that the Red Wings don't hold Training Camp at Center Ice Arena. The first occasion was in the winter of 2013 at the start of the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign; Camp was held at Compuware Arena (now known as USA Hockey Arena) in Plymouth. 

Additionally, before the shortened 2020-21 NHL season amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Camp was held at Little Caesars Arena. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

According to the staff at Center Ice Arena, it's not yet known whether this decision is a permanent one. 

“We’ve been wondering what’s been going on,” Centre Ice Arena executive director Todd Spaulding said via The Traverse City Record-Eagle. “We didn’t hear anything official until the last couple days.”

“We’ve always known there was a chance they would do something different,” Spaulding continued. “I don’t know if this is a permanent deal.”

The tradition of Training Camp being held in Traverse City was the idea of Hall of Fame coach Scotty Bowman. 

Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!

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.

They say everything is bigger in Texas, and that could include the NHL’s footprint in the Lone Star State. 

The NHL is exploring the expansion process in Texas, as Houston and Austin are being eyed as potential cities to land a franchise. The matter was discussed at the NHL’s board of governors meeting in Manhattan on Tuesday. 

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told reporters that the league has been in conversations with the Friedkin family about a potential expansion team in Houston or Austin for two years, according to ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun. 

Bettman said that Houston and Austin would need new arenas as part of any expansion bid and the expansion fee would be a whopping $3.5 billion if it happens in either city. 

The NHL will take its time before making a decision and Bettman said it would take a six-month process to make up its mind whether it will go forward with expansion in one of those markets. Dallas has been home to the Stars since the franchise relocated from Minnesota in 1993, 

Canadiens owner Geoff Molson, a member of the NHL’s board of governors executive committee, told reporters, according to ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski, that expansion in Texas is “just an exploration at this stage and it’s an important decision.” 

Dan Friedkin, whose net worth is estimated at $10.3 billion per Bloomberg, emerged as a possible ownership option last year when he was written about by ESPN. 

Friedkin is the CEO of The Friedkin Group, a conglomerate that has its hands in everything from Toyota distributors to award-winning resorts, according to the company’s website. 

The company is based in Houston and Friedkin already has a growing portfolio of sports assets through Pursuit Sports, which is a company dedicated to TFG’s sports properties. 

The company owns Italian soccer club AS Roma in Serie A and The Friedkin Group took majority control of Premier League club Everton. 

“Pursuit Sports, our family’s global sports ownership and operating platform, has reached an agreement with the NHL that provides us with the exclusive rights to bring an expansion NHL team to the State of Texas, with a primary focus on both Austin and Houston as potential markets,” the Friedkin family told the Houston Chronicle in a statement. 

“Each city brings unique attributes that would make a new team a huge success — both have the infrastructure, passionate fan bases, and economic strength needed to support a championship-caliber franchise for years to come.

“We have wanted for some time to bring an NHL team to Texas, and we are excited that the process has now begun. Selecting a new market for an NHL franchise is a special and important responsibility, and we are grateful to the league for their faith in us and their support. Working with Commissioner [Gary] Bettman and the NHL, we will undertake a principled, disciplined, and methodical process to ensure we find the right long-term home for this new franchise.”

Houston is the biggest market in the United States or Canada that does not have a pro hockey team, and was home to the American Hockey League’s Houston Aeros until the team relocated to Des Moines, Iowa, in 2013.