The Islanders' prospect pool has taken tremendous strides over the last few years, so let's take a look at the pipeline, which includes players 25 and under, even if they are pending restricted free agents at the moment and have yet to play a full NHL season.
It does not include players who have signed AHL deals or players who are Group 6 UFAs.Â
C: Danny Nelson, Kamil Bednarik, Luca Romano, Gleb Veremyev
LW: Maxim Shababov, Cole Eiserman, Quinn Finley, Victor Eklund, Daylan Kuefler, Tomas Poletin, Alex Jefferies
RW: Daniil Prokhorov, Matthew Maggio, Jacob Kvasnicka, Joey Larson
LD: Isaiah George, Kashawn Aitcheson, Marshall Warren, Jesse Pulkkinen, Calle Odelius, Xavier Veilleux, Dennis Good Bogg, Zach Schultz, Sam Laurila
RD: Tomas Machu
G: Dmitry Gamzin, Henrik Tikkanen, Joshua Kotai, Burke Hood
As you can see, there's a heavy need for the Islanders to add to the right side of their blueline pipeline.Â
According to BPM Sports and RGâs Marco DâAmico, Matthew Kniesâ name is making the rounds in the NHL ahead of the draft. The Toronto Maple Leafs winger was heavily rumored to be the mysterious acquisition that fell through for the Montreal Canadiens on trade deadline day.
Word of discussions with Buffalo and the 4th overall pick.
San Jose also said to be of interest here as well.
Montreal remains interested, but hard to compete with the above teams. https://t.co/OAwk8WMzg1
DâAmico reports that the Leafs are not sure if theyâll move him, but they are certainly testing the waters to see what he could land them. He adds that the Buffalo Sabres, who now own the fourth overall pick in the first-round of the upcoming draft on Friday, are interested just like the San Jose Sharks and the Canadiens. However, given that Buffalo does have the fourth overall pick to offer, it will be tough for Montreal to compete.
Itâs worth remembering that the Leafs already have the first overall pick and that, after missing the playoffs and firing both their coach and general manager, they are looking for a quick reset rather than a full rebuild. However, there have been reports of Morgan Rielly giving them a list of teams heâd be willing to be traded to. If that were to happen, chances are Toronto would actually need some roster players to fill the void and not just futures. That could be the Canadiensâ in.
The 32-year-old left-shot defenseman has been a huge part of Torontoâs defense for years, and the Canadiens do have a lot of options on that side of defense. Furthermore, as evidenced by the Bowen Byram trade which took place between the Sabres and the Chicago Blackhawks earlier this week, defensemen can land you a sizeable return.
At this stage, one can wonder if it wouldnât be wise for the Canadiens to dangle the name of an established defenseman in front of their divisional rival, such as Kaiden Guhle. While he wouldnât land them Knies on his own, he may be a good starting point for the conversation, especially if the Canadiens are willing to add a top prospect such as Alexander Zharovsky to the package. The skillful winger is held in high regard in the league, and most agree that he should have been a first-round selection at the last draft.Â
Michael Hageâs name has also been rumoured to be of interest around the league, but itâs hard to see how the Canadiens could even entertain moving him if the return doesnât include an established second-line center.
While Knies isnât a pivot, he would fill a sizeable need for the Canadiens. The 6-foot-3 and 232-pound forward has 160 points in 240 career games with the Leafs, including 66 points in 79 games last season. Furthermore, he landed 152 hits playing on Torontoâs top six. If he were to join Ivan Demidov on the Canadiensâ second line, he could be the big winger whoâs tasked with puck retrieval along the boards, much like Juraj Slafkovsky does with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield.
His physicality would be a great addition for the Habs, especially around playoff time. The former second-round pick from the 2021 draft has really paid off for the Leafs and is signed for another five years with a $7.75 million cap hit, which would fit in very nicely with the Canadiensâ salary structure.Â
The main event for the 2026 NHL draft across the league and for the Toronto Maple Leafs will be the first overall pick and who they'll take with that grand opportunity.
There are a handful of enticing prospects to take with that selection, and history says that the Maple Leafs will make a great pick with No. 60. In fact, Toronto has been fairly solid picking players around the 50 to 65 range.
Here's a quick look at how the Leafs have fared with second-round picks in recent memory.
Tinus Luc Koblar, 64th Overall (2025)
Though he hasn't made an impression in the NHL yet, Tinus Luc Koblar has proven to be a promising prospect for the Maple Leafs, after the team drafted him 64th overall in the 2025 NHL draft.
What makes Koblar particularly impressive is his campaign at the 2026 IIHF World Championship for Norway. The 18-year-old center scored six goals and nine points in 10 appearances for his country, leading the team in scoring and to their first-ever bronze medal at the competition.
Fraser Minten is a much earlier pick than the other names on the list. Nonetheless, he was a second-round selection by the Maple Leafs in 2022, and he's been a solid player in the NHL since.
Minten has played 107 regular-season games, along with six playoff contests in his short NHL career. He played his first full season in the league last year for the Boston Bruins, featuring in all 82 games and putting up 17 goals and 35 points.
Matthew Knies, 57th Overall (2021)
Matthew Knies is easily the best draft pick the Maple Leafs have made in recent years. Now, at 23-years-old and three full seasons in the league to this point, Knies has cemented himself as a star in Toronto.
Knies registered his second straight 20-goal season and set new personal bests in the assists and points departments, recording a total of 23 goals and 43 assists for 66 points.
Even if it feels like he's always needing to prove himself, Nick Robertson has blossomed into a legit regular NHL player over the past couple of years.
Robertson, 24, is coming off a career-high season, marking 16 goals and 16 assists for 32 points in 78 appearances for the Leafs, and that's while averaging 12:40 of ice time.
The 5-foot-9 left winger has struggled to earn top-six minutes in Toronto, but whether he climbs into that realm next season or with another team eventually, he can certainly be a steady 20-goal scorer.
Sean Durzi, 52nd Overall (2018)
Sean Durzi has never made an appearance with the Maple Leafs, as he was a part of the trade that saw Toronto acquire Jake Muzzin in January 2019. However, there's no denying that he has been a solid NHL blueliner since entering the league in 2021-22.
His best campaign came in 2023-24 when he was with the Arizona Coyotes. The Mississauga, Ont., native provided 41 points and averaged 22:43 of ice time in 76 contests. In his five-year career, Durzi has featured in 302 regular-season games and averaged 20:28 of ice time on the back end.
Some other notable names that the Maple Leafs have drafted in the second round include Carl Grundstrom, Travis Dermott, Jimmy Hayes, Nikolay Kulemin and Matt Stajan.
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The Hockey News recently inquired about the Colorado Avalanche targeting Mason Marchment in free agency this summer. General manager Joe Sakic, however, went a step further by acquiring a younger, more physical version of him.
Zachary LâHeureux was acquired from the Nashville Predators as part of the Jack Drury trade on Wednesday. Colorado also sent prospect Chase Bradley and a third-round pick in the 2029 NHL Draft to Nashville in a deal that also brought Fedor Svechkov to the Avalanche organization. On paper, itâs a multi-layered swap that addresses both immediate depth and long-term upside.
Jack Drury's all-out, team-first style will be missed. Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie - Imagn Images
Over the past two seasons, the Avalanche have been eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs in part because more physical, gritty teams have been able to wear them down in key moments. Itâs not just about talent matching anymore â itâs about the ability to handle contact over a long series and still execute at pace. That gap has shown up when games tighten and space disappears.
The Dallas Stars eliminated Colorado in seven games in the 2025 postseason, a series in which the Avalanche were repeatedly on the receiving end of heavy contact and retaliation sequences. Roope Hintz high-sticked Nathan MacKinnon in the face and back of the head, while Jamie Benn cross-checked Valeri Nichushkin in front of the net and along the boards. The response from Coloradoâs side was inconsistent, and the power play was largely ineffective, which ultimately became a deciding factor in the series.
This season, the frustration only deepened as expectations rose even higher. The Avalanche finished with 121 points, a franchise record and one of the highest totals in NHL history, while also leading the league in both goals scored and fewest goals allowed. That combination usually translates into a deep playoff run, especially for a team that also secured the most points before the Christmas break since the stat began being tracked in 1972, opening the year 27-2-7.
After sweeping the Los Angeles Kings in the first round and defeating the Minnesota Wild in five games, it looked as though Colorado was finally set for a true Stanley Cup push. The roster was rolling, the structure was intact, and the depth scoring was showing up at the right time. Instead, the Vegas Golden Knights swept the Presidentsâ Trophy winners out of the playoffs in a series that turned quickly and decisively.
And one of the reasons Vegas won that series was their clear edge in physical play from the opening puck drop. The Golden Knights didnât just match Coloradoâs pace â they forced them into a different kind of game entirely, where every entry became contested and every loose puck came with contact. Over time, that pressure built into something Colorado couldnât solve.
The turning point came in Game 3, when Colorado built a 3-0 lead before giving up five unanswered goals in a collapse that shifted the entire series. From that point forward, Vegas leaned into a tighter, heavier structure that eliminated clean looks in the offensive zone. The Avalanche were pushed to the perimeter and forced into low-percentage chances far more often than they were used to.
The physical gap showed up every night in the numbers and in the eye test. Ivan Barbashev finished the playoffs with 110 hits, setting the tone for a Vegas group that included Colton Sissons, Keegan Kolesar, Brett Howden, and Cole Smith. Each shift carried weight, and Coloradoâs puck carriers rarely had time to settle.
In fact, six of the top 10 hitters in the playoffs were Golden Knights. And if you guessed how many Avalanche players finished in the top 10 â zero, youâre right. Zero. No Avs in the top 25 either, which only reinforced how one-sided the physical category became over the course of the series.
That trend has become part of a larger conversation around Coloradoâs postseason identity. Itâs not that the Avalanche lack skill â they clearly donât â but the way games are called and played in late May often strips away space, and thatâs where physical teams gain control. Vegas understood that better than anyone in the series.
Now the Avalanche are finally acknowledgingâperhaps reluctantlyâthat the years-long strategy of chasing immediate help and spending future assets under Chris MacFarland didn't fully solve the roster's underlying issue. The organization spent years prioritizing skill and short-term upgrades, but the lack of physical edge eventually caught up to Colorado when it mattered most. The roster was built to dominate the regular season, yet it lacked the pushback necessary to withstand the grind of the postseason.
The addition of LâHeureux is the latest attempt to change that equation. He brings an edge Colorado has been missing â not just in terms of physicality, but in the way he can disrupt rhythm and tilt a shift. Heâs expected to slide into a flexible fourth-line role under Jared Bednar alongside Fedor Svechkov and Parker Kelly, giving the Avalanche a heavier, more disruptive look at the bottom of the lineup.
Svechkov partnered with Parker Kelly and L'Heureux sounds like a match made in heaven. Credit: David Kirouac - Imagn Images
Heâs also shown he can produce when given opportunity. In 30 games with the Milwaukee Admirals, Nashvilleâs AHL affiliate, he posted 14 goals and 14 assists for 28 points, along with four points in limited NHL action. Svechkov brings a two-way foundation, while Kelly adds speed and a career-high 21-goal season, giving that line a more balanced identity than Coloradoâs depth has had in recent years.
The Avalanche now sit with just under $5 million in cap space, which leaves room for flexibility but not major swings without corresponding moves. If they explore moving Valeri Nichushkin for draft capital and relief, it could open the door to additional changes that further reshape the bottom of the roster.
If nothing else, this feels like a shift in tone more than a finished product. Not a full identity change yet, but a clearer understanding that what works in the regular season doesnât always survive the grind of May and June.
CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 14: Chicago Wolves defenseman Juuso VÀlimÀki (4) celebrates with Chicago Wolves forward Bradly Nadeau (82) after scoring a goal during game two of the AHL Calder Cup Finals between the Toronto Marlies and the Chicago Wolves on June 14, 2026, at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Carolina Hurricanes announced Wednesday evening the re-signing of Chicago defenseman, Juuso Valimaki. His new contract will pay him $900,00 next season, whether he plays in the NHL or AHL.
Valimaki has plenty of NHL experience and is a previous first round draft pick by Calgary, (16th overall in 2017). He will probably be battling Charles Alexis Legault and Joel Nystrom for the seventh spot on the Carolina blueline, (as things are now).
The official press release is below:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE â June 24, 2026
âCANES SIGN JUUSO VALIMAKI TO ONE-YEAR CONTRACT
Defenseman has registered 72 points (11g, 61a) in 271 career NHL games
RALEIGH, NC â Eric Tulsky, General Manager of the National Hockey Leagueâs Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has signed defenseman Juuso Valimaki to a one-year contract. The deal will pay Valimaki $900,000 for the 2026-27 season.
Valimaki, 27, was acquired by the Hurricanes on Jan. 5 in exchange for future considerations. The Tampere, Finland native split the 2025-26 season between Tucson and Chicago in the American Hockey League (AHL), totaling 23 points (7g, 16a) in 27 regular-season games, and adding 14 points (5g, 9a) in 21 playoff games to help the Chicago Wolves reach the Calder Cup Final. Originally selected by the Calgary Flames in the first round, 16th overall at the 2017 NHL Draft, Valimaki has appeared in 271 career NHL games with Calgary, Arizona and Utah, totaling 72 points (11g, 61a). He has registered 55 points (13g, 42a) in 83 career AHL games with Stockton, Tucson and Chicago. Prior to turning professional, Valimaki spent three seasons in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with Tri-City, tallying 138 points (40g, 98a) and 92 penalty minutes in 159 games. He was named to the WHL West Second All-Star Team in 2017 and 2018.
Looking The PartâDec 1, 2023 - VOL. 77, Issue. 07 - Carol Schram
SARTORIALLY, TANNERÂ Molendyk should breeze through the adjustment from the WHL to the NHL.
Both his Saskatoon Blades and the Nashville Predators, who drafted him 24th overall in June, share a color scheme of blue, gold and white on their uniforms. So donât blink, lest you mistake an image or video of him shutting down elite scorers as a leader on one of the WHLâs best bluelines with the footage of him accepting his first pro jersey in June or making his NHL pre-season debut less than three months later.
It was a split-squad day for the Predators and Florida Panthers on Sept. 25. Molendyk found himself in Sunrise with the assignment of defending a star-studded group of Stanley Cup finalists, including Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett. âI walked in the room, and I didnât know what to expect,â Molendyk said. âI had no idea who theyâre going to play. I looked at the lineup sheet, and I saw those names. I started shaking a little bit.â
Once the initial shock wore off, the 18-year-old embraced the moment and put his skills to the test â with positive results. âI thought I did good,â he said. âI thought I played my game. I kept guys to the outside, and I was up in the rush a bunch.â
Molendykâs toolbox includes sublime skating, impressive edgework and natural athleticism, all traits that helped him rank high in multiple tests at the scouting combine. He feels his game is unique, but he also readily shares his admiration for Shea Theodoreâs play. âI like the way he can break pucks out, and heâs evasive,â he said. âAnd he can move, too.â
Back in bantam, Molendyk picked up a valuable tip from coach Erin Thornton at Yale Hockey Academy â but heâs not telling. âIâm not going to spit it out, but that has always helped me,â Molendyk said. âI find, taking on anyone, thereâs no real way to beat me. I think itâs just being more aware of whatâs going on and your surroundings, not just focusing on one guy.â
In April, when NHL Central Scouting released its final rankings for the 2023 draft class â which some expect to eventually go down as one of the best â Molendyk had climbed to No. 28 among North American skaters. It didnât hurt that the rankings came out just after the Blades overcame a 2-0 series deficit to take out Connor Bedardâs Regina Pats in seven games in the first round of the WHL playoffs. They then lost the first three games of their second-round series with Red Deer before stunning the Rebels in another seven-gamer.
On draft day, Molendyk rose even further. At No. 24, the kid from McBride, B.C., a village of less than a thousand people located on the Yellowhead Highway not far from Jasper, Alta., was welcomed to the stage at Bridgestone Arena in front of a partisan hometown crowd by Predators franchise legends Roman Josi and Pekka Rinne.
Three days later, the Predsâ development camp kicked off. Molendyk settled in with a familiar crew that included WHL defense prospects Luke Prokop and Graham Sward, spring and summer hockey buddy Matthew Wood from Vancouver Island, and a pair of teammates from the victorious Team White at the 2023 Top Prospects Game: Red Deer rival Kalan Lind and Dylan MacKinnon from the Halifax Mooseheads.
On the ice, the Predators instructed Molendyk to focus on taking his offensive game to the next level after he put up nine goals and 37 points for Saskatoon in his draft year. This season, with 2023 WHL coach of the year Brennan Sonne at the helm, Molendyk has been a key contributor at both ends of the ice as the Blades established themselves among the top contenders in the WHLâs Eastern Conference.
On the final day of Nashvilleâs development camp, just eight days after he was drafted, Molendyk put pen to paper on his entry-level contract â a perfect coda to wrap up an unforgettable first visit to Music City, which included an Independence Day celebration. âI donât even have words, still, how electric that city is,â Molendyk said. âWalking down there during development camp when it was July 4 was nuts. It was crazy. Iâve never seen anything like it.â
While the majority of the San Jose Sharks' attention is likely focused on the first day of the 2026 NHL Draft, as they now hold three first-round draft picks, they have five picks on the second day as well.
The second pick the Sharks currently hold on Saturday's portion of the draft will be a fourth-rounder that originally belonged to the Boston Bruins, the 120th overall selection.Â
A number of productive players have been drafted with the 120th overall pick, one of which played over 1,000 games in the NHL. Steve Larmer was a mainstay on the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1980's and early 1990's before he finished his career with the New York Rangers. He played 1006 career games, scoring 441 goals and just narrowly finishing above a point-per-game pace with 1012 career points in the process.Â
Mike Krushelnyski, mostly remembered for being a part of the Wayne Gretzky trade to the Los Angeles Kings in the modern age, was also drafted with the 120th overall selection and had a very respectable career. He finished his career with 897 games played, 241 goals and a total of 569 points.
Jaccob Slavin, Ben Chiarot, and current Sharks forward Philipp Kurashev are among the active players drafted with the 120th overall selection as well.
Now that the San Jose Sharks have the 27th overall pick in this yearâs first round. Their draft strategy should change a little. Michael Kesselring brings a low floor to the Sharksâ blueline, so with that in mind, high upside should be what they look for here.
Prospect Info
Name: Maksim Sokolovskii
2025-26 Team: London Knights
Date of Birth: Jul. 12, 2008
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 238
Position: Defense (Left-Handed)
Statistics
Games Played - 44
Goals - 2
Assists - 6
Points - 8
Shots - 23
Shooting Percentage - 8.7%
Plus/Minus - +10
Rankings:
NHL Central Scouting (North America): 40th
The Hockey News - Ryan Kennedy: 52nd
Elite Prospects: 22nd
Sportsnet - Sam Cosentino: 31st
Sportsnet - Jason Bukula: 33rd
Daily Faceoff - 36th
What Experts are saying:Â
âWithout a doubt, Sokolovskii is one of the most interesting defensive prospects available this year. Heâs an absolute behemoth on the ice, but heâs also quick and agile, giving him immense defensive upside.â - Brock Otten
"I loved his play against the Soo Greyhounds because he repeatedly had to go up against top forward Brady Martin and, for the most part, succeeded. I really like Sokolovskii as a shutdown option." - Steven Ellis
"Sokolovskiiâs name has been one of the most hotly discussed among NHL scouts over the past few months, and I expect heâll be selected in the 20s now. Heâs the biggest player in this class, he might be its most naturally aggressive and he can move. Those three things made him a source of intrigue for the scouts this year. " - Scott Wheeler
The Sharks shouldnât be looking to wow anyone with this pick. In this scenario, they get a player whose size might wow you, but he plays a shut-down in your face type of game. What else can you ask for?
Take Buffalo Sabres forward Alex Tuch off the NHL free agent list.
Tuch, who had been the top available player, is going to the Washington Capitals in a sign-and-trade deal. He will average $10.5 million in his eight-year contract. The Sabres get back a third-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and forward David Kampf.
Tuch, 30, has three 30-goal seasons, including 33 goals this past season. His cap hit had been $4.75 million.
They still don't know if left wing Alex Ovechkin will return or retire, but one of the NHL all-time leading goal scorer's factors was whether the team would be competitive after missing the playoffs in 2025-26.
The 2007 No. 1 pick became the top U.S.-born scorer this past season. He has topped 50 points the last two seasons. Current cap hit: $3 million.
8. Anders Lee, New York Islanders
He has been the Islanders' captain since 2018 and is usually good for 20-plus goals, though he had 19 in 2025-26. Current cap hit: $7 million.
7. Mason Marchment, Columbus Blue Jackets
He struggled with the Seattle Kraken after his offseason trade, but his trade to Columbus revived his season with 32 points in 39 games. He's also an agitator. Current cap hit: $4.5 million.
6. Anthony Mantha, Pittsburgh Penguins
He's the third-highest-scoring player on the free agent list with 64 points after he signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh. Will a general manager be tempted to think he can do that again or look at his subpar production before that? Current cap hit: $2.5 million.
5. Viktor Arvidsson, Boston Bruins
The forward bounced back from a couple subpar seasons and had 25 goals and 54 points after being traded to Boston. Current cap hit: $4 million.
4. Sergei Bobrovsky, Florida Panthers
The goalie won back-to-back Stanley Cup titles and owns two Vezina Trophies. He'll be 38 next season. Current cap hit: $10 million.
3. Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
The NHL's all-time leading goal scorer is expected to either re-sign with the Capitals or retire. Otherwise, he'd lead the list. He scored 32 goals at age 40. Current cap hit: $9.5 million.
2. Rasmus Andersson, Vegas Golden Knights
The defenseman was traded to the Golden Knights this past season by the Flames. He can provide offense with one 50-point season and others topping 40 points, including 47 points in 2025-26. He had an average playoffs. Current cap hit: $4.55 million.
1. John Carlson, Anaheim Ducks
Carlson, the Capitals' all-time leader in scoring among defensemen, was traded to the Ducks in a shocker. He totaled 60 points in 71 games. Current cap hit: $8 million.
Others to watch: Mats Zuccarello, Boone Jenner, Brent Burns, Jacob Trouba
The Chicago Blackhawks made a bold move when they acquired Bowen Byram from the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday. In the deal, they also acquired forward Jordan Greenway in exchange for Louis Crevier, along with picks 4 and 45 in the 2026 NHL Draft.
On Tuesday, he was introduced via a Zoom call with the media for the first time, where he answered a variety of questions. He led things off by talking about how happy he was to play for the Blackhawks.
âIâm super excited to end up in Chicago," Byram said. "Itâs been one of my favorite teams growing up. My dad played in the organization. It's always the place I wanted to end up. I'm super excited to be a part of the team."
It is always good for an organization when they are able to acquire players who truly want to be there. Whether it's because they were a fan of the team growing up, they want the opportunity that the team is offering, or the money matches their demands, they always play better when they are happy.
For Byram, it seems like the Blackhawks will provide all three of those things for him, especially the opportunity to be the number one defenseman for the first time in his career.
"It's an attractive place for me," Byram said. "I feel like I'll get the opportunity to play, do what I can to help the team improve and win."
When Byram was selected by the Colorado Avalanche 4th overall in 2019, he went to a team that was deep on the back end. He was always, at a minimum, behind Cale Makar, Devon Toews, and Sam Girard.
Then, when he was traded to Buffalo, he took off as a player, but he was still behind Rasmus Dahlin, Mattias Samelsson, and even Owen Power at times on the depth chart. Now, he will be given the top pair, first power-play minutes.
"I've been preparing for an opportunity like this for a long time," Byram said. "I feel like I'm a two-way defenseman, I transport the puck, I can move the puck, whether it's passing the puck up ice, moving my feet, using my skating to transport it. I think I can help the power play, but I also think I'm a good defender. I use my feet to defend, close quickly, and try to kill plays. I'm super excited to have this opportunity. I don't take it lightly."
Byram comes to Chicago with one year remaining on his current contract, which carries a cap hit of $6.25 million. On July 1st, he will be eligible for an extension, which he is extremely willing to accept with his new team.
"I'm hoping eventually we can get to that point [an extension]," Byram said when asked about his current situation in that regard. "Chicago is a place I've wanted to be for a long time. I plan on being in Chicago for a long time."
Bowen Byram took some time to get his game in the NHL to where it is today. Limited ice time, injuries, and inconsistencies were there early, but he battled through them. Byram believes he can bring some knowledge on how to deal with those struggles to some of the younger defenseman on the Blackhawks right now.
The Blackhawks have had a hard time scoring goals in recent seasons, and that was the case again in 2025-26. For Byram, both at even strength and on the power play, he has the tools to help them start to trend in the right direction when it comes to finding the back of the net.
"My job is to be myself," Byram said when asked about how he can help them score more. "I think I break the puck out well. I move the puck well. I think I'll get the puck to the hands of our forwards quickly and efficiently. You want your skilled forwards having the puck, creating, and attacking."
For being just 25 years old, Byram has a lot of great experience, and his perspective is one that most would describe as a winning mentality. He wants to be on the ice in the game's biggest moments. He wants to live up to being a fourth overall pick, number one defenseman, and highly paid player.
For being a player who had an early taste of what it's like to win a championship, it's clear that he has the desire to do it again. That type of hunger could be what turns this into a successful trade, despite the team giving up a lot to acquire him.
"My goal is to win the Stanley Cup every single year," Byram said. "I want to come to Chicago and help the team make the playoffs and win. That's my goal. Winning is a lot better than losing."
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The Vancouver Canucks have started an interesting tradition regarding the NHL Entry Draft. Over the last decade, Vancouver has drafted a total of zero players from the QMJHL. In total, the Canucks have drafted 67 players since they last selected a prospect from the Q.
As for this year, there are a few QMJHL prospects that Vancouver could select. Xavier Villeneuve and Tommy Bleyl are projected to be available at 24, while Maddox Dagenais and Yegor Shilov could drop to 33rd overall. There are also some late-round options, including Charlie Morrison, Liam Lefebvre and Olivers Murnieks.
Overall, it is a little perplexing how the Canucks could go a decade without drafting a player from the QMJHL. The Q is considered one of the best development leagues in hockey that continues to produce high-end talent. With 10 picks in the 2026 draft, it would be surprising if Vancouver goes another year without selecting a player from the QMJHL.
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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DENVER, COLORADO - MARCH 10: Jack Drury #18 of the Colorado Avalanche warms up prior to the game against the Edmonton Oilers at Ball Arena on March 10, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After an unprecedented day of trades in the NHL, the Colorado Avalanche got in on the action completing another transaction with their former GM Chris MacFarland in Nashville. The deal sends Jack Drury, Chase Bradley and their 2029 third round pick to the Predators for a pair of 23-year-old former first round pick forwards in Fyodor Svechkov and Zachary LâHeureux.
đšTrade
To #Smashville Jack Drury, 26 y/o C, RFA (1 year from UFA elig) Chase Bradley, 24 y/o F, RFA, 12P in 42 AHL GP '29 3rd
To #GoAvsGo Fyodor Svechkov, 23 y/o F, Yr 1/2 @ $1.25M, 17P in 70 GP Zachary L'Heureux, 23 y/o F, Yr 1/2 @$825K, 5P in 25 GPhttps://t.co/AoKAQLTMBO
Itâs been rumored for a while that Jack Drury wanted a hefty payday and the writing was on the wall when Colorado acquired Nicolas Roy at the trade deadline that Colorado wasnât going to pay 3 million dollars to two bottom six players. Both Sakic and MacFarland should have been aware of Druryâs ask and value on the market as well as his Restricted Free Agent arbitration eligible status. Parting with a third round pick so far in the future seems unnecessary in this transaction but it doesnât touch Coloradoâs upcoming nine-pick draft class. Including Chase Bradley is just an expiring contract moved to even out the deal with Colorado taking on two contracts.
Incoming to Colorado is a pair of Nashville Predators 2021 first round draft selections in center Fydor Svechkov and winger Zachary LâHereaux. Both are in the same situation in a lot of ways as the two just signed two-year extensions that expire as RFA in 2028. They each have a notable amount of NHL experience but have played in the AHL as recent as this year. The other kicker is both are no longer waiver exempt so pencil them into the Avalanche opening night lineup in the fall.
Svechkov is a 6-foot left shot center and comes with the higher pedigree of being a former 19th overall pick and spent the majority of the 2025-26 season in the NHL at 70 games played with 17 points and 122 career NHL games overall. He spent 10 games in the AHL, mostly over the Olympic break, and scored eight points including five goals. Svechkov is signed the next two seasons at $1.25M, which sounds like the right price for Colorado in their search for the next fourth line center.
LâHeureux was the 27th overall selection in the 2021 draft and has 87 career NHL games. The majority of it was in the 2024-25 season while he split time in the NHL and AHL last season. The 5-foot-11 left shot left wing scored five points for Nashville and 28 for Milwaukee. LâHeureux is a controversial player who not only plays with an edge but goes over the line sometimes. He pretty much averages a penalty minute per game and set a record for 198 hits his rookie season. He is also signed at a very reasonable $875k (one way) for the next two seasons.
What do you think of the trade? Let us know in the comments!
He was named AHL Player of the Month for November 2025 after posting 12 points in eight games, and led the Rochester Americans in goals with 25 while his 43 points ranked second on the club at the time of the trade. At the NHL level with Buffalo, however, consistent opportunities were harder to come by.
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Two of the Nashville Predators' young stars are headed out west as Fedor Svechkov and Zach LâHeureux have been traded to the Colorado Avalanche.Â
On Wednesday, the Predators announced that they had acquired center Jack Drury, winger Chase Bradley and a 2029 third-round pick for Svechkov and L'Heureux.Â
âJack Drury is a hard-working, reliable, full-sheet of the ice center who can handle the tough assignments while being elite in the face-off circle,â MacFarland said in a press release. "His addition to our forward group bolsters our depth in the middle of the ice, and weâre thrilled to have him on our roster.
"Weâre also excited to add Chase Bradley â another young forward whoâs had some NHL experience â to our overall organizational depth at forward.â
TRADE đ
We've acquired forwards Jack Drury and Chase Bradley and Coloradoâs third-round pick in the 2029 NHL Draft from the Avs in exchange for forwards Zach L'Heureux and Fedor Svechkov.
The Predators drafted Svechkov in 2021, 19th overall, and he has played 122 NHL games, recording 12 goals and 22 assists for 34 points.Â
This past season, he had 17 points in 70 games and split time between Milwaukee and the Admirals, recording 8 points in 10 games with the Admirals.Â
L'Heuruex was drafted 27th overall by the Predators in the 2021 draft and has played in 87 games, recording nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points.
He started the year off in Milwaukee, scoring 28 points in 30 games before earning a promotion in Nashville. L'Heuruex had five points in 25 games.Â
Drury played in 82 games this past season with the Avalanche, scoring 27 points (10 goals and 17 assists) and had five points (three goals and two assists) in 13 playoff games.Â
The 5-foot-11-inch, 186-pound forward was drafted 42nd overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2018 Draft.Â
Bradley has played in just two NHL games over the last two seasons. He played the entirety of the 2025-26 season with the Colorado Eagles (AHL), scoring 12 points (nine goals and three assists) in 42 games.Â
This is the third transaction in the 2026 calendar year that the Predators have executed with the Avalanche and the second general manager Chris MacFarland has made with his former team.Â
At the trade deadline, defenseman Nick Blankenburg was traded to the Avalanche for a 2027 fifth-round pick.
On June 16, forward Ross Colton and goaltender Isak Posch were traded to the Predators for a 2026 third-round pick, a 2027 third-round pick, and goaltender Magnus Chrona.Â
The Nashville Predators have acquired center Jack Drury from the Colorado Avalanche in a trade that includes forwards Zach L'Heureux and Fedor Svechkov.
In the trade, the Predators are getting Drury, a 2029 third-round pick, and forward Chase Bradley. The Avalanche are getting Svechkov and L'Heureux, both former first-round picks by the Predators.
Drury, 26, was drafted in the second round (No. 42 overall) in 2018 by the Carolina Hurricanes. After three seasons with the Hurricanes, he was traded to the Avalanche in 2025 as part of the deal that sent Mikko Rantanen to Carolina.
In 268 games, Drury has 30 goals, 52 assists while averaging 12:56 ice time per game. He's an excellent face-off winner, winning more than 57% of his draws in his career.
Seen as more of a defensive player, he was the Avalanche's third-line center. He often played with Ross Colton, whom the Predators acquired from the Avalanche on June 16.
The Predators' new general manager, Chris MacFarland, came over from the Avalanche.
Drury just completed a two-year, $3.45 million contract signed in 2024. He is a restricted free agent and is due a qualifying offer of at least $1.65 million, which was his salary last season.
NHL teams must submit qualifying offers to RFAs by July 1. According to Puck Pedia, the Predators have $25 million in cap space.The Predators are sending two former first-round picks in Svechkov and L'Heureux. Svechkov was taken 19th overall in 2021, and had 12 goals and 22 assists in 122 games. L'Heureux was taken eight picks later at No. 27 â he scored nine goals and 11 assists in 87 games.
Despite being high draft picks, the two never developed into anything more than role players for Nashville.
Bradley, 24, has played two games for the Avalanche, but is mostly an American Hockey League player at this point. He had nine goals and three assists in 42 games for the Colorado Eagles last season.
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. He never uses artificial intelligence when developing or drafting stories. Contact Alex atjdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
