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. 

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“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. 

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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.

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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.

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The Vegas Golden Knights are looking for a new coach after their Stanley Cup run, saying John Tortorella isn't returning.

The Golden Knights are a win-now team, evidenced by them firing Bruce Cassidy with eight games left in the regular season and hiring Tortorella. The move worked as Tortorella turned around the slumping team, won the Pacific Division and three rounds of the playoffs before Vegas lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Final.

One of the bigger available names, Peter Laviolette, was hired by the Los Angeles Kings. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers are far along in their coaching searches, which could take more names out of circulation. Craig Berube is available, but would a reunion with Mitch Marner be a good thing?

Here are potential candidates for the Golden Knights' coach opening:

Marcus Pettersson wants to remain a member of the Vancouver Canucks. 

The defenceman, who has a no-move clause in the six-year, $5.5M AAV contract he signed with Vancouver last February, had his name pop up in trade rumours within the past day or so. San Jose Sharks reporter Sheng Peng spoke on the veteran’s desire to move during this week’s episode of his podcast, San Jose Hockey Now. 

“Pettersson is motivated to move, I think. That’s what I understand. That’s what I think. I don’t know that for sure.”

Earlier today, this thought was denied by CHEK TV’s Rick Dhaliwal, who obtained information via Pettersson’s agent, Peter Wallen. In Dhaliwal’s report, Wallen noted that Pettersson is “thrilled to see what the new management crew will bring and lead them to.”

Pettersson will be entering his 10th NHL season in 2026–27. Despite only just turning 30 in May, the defenceman has already been considered one of Vancouver’s veterans — the only players older than him with contracts through next season are Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen.  

Towards the end of the 2025–26 season, Pettersson spoke to The Hockey News about what he’s looking forward to about being a Canuck despite the rebuilding position the organization is in. 

“We’re rebuilding. Everybody expects and thinks, it’ll be tough, but it doesn’t have to be. We can still win games. We’ve got great players. We’ve gone on runs — the December New York trip was a really good one for us — where we can actually see, ‘okay, we can string a few together and get off to a good start.’ Anything can happen.”  

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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As per an announcement from the team, Vegas Golden Knights General Manager Kelly McCrimmon has announced that head coach John Tortorella will not return to the team's coaching staff following the 2025-26 season.

Hired with just eight games left in the season, he took over for Bruce Cassidy and led the Golden Knights all the way to the Stanley Cup Final, where Vegas lost in six games to the Carolina Hurricanes. 

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Vegas Golden Knights General Manager Kelly McCrimmon has announced John Tortorella will not return to the team's coaching staff following the 2025-26 season.

Press release ➡️ https://t.co/KRK6lB8ZZQpic.twitter.com/65sGbTZRR2

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) June 16, 2026

It was believed that the hiring was only meant to be temporary. It was more a change at the helm that was needed, with Cassidy's message no longer getting through, and the Golden Knights needing a push. Torts was the guy to give it to them. 

However, as NHL insider Elliotte Friedman notes, "As Tortorella said before the Cup Final, his contract expires June 30. He still wants to coach. Vegas had indicated they wanted him for the rest of the season and had a plan for next year."

Where do the Golden Knights go from here? Many believe the plan is to hire Ryan Craig, the current AHL Henderson head coach and former Golden Knights assistant. He played for Kelly McCrimmon at WHL Brandon and it's expected he's their succession plan. 

Where does that leave Tortorella?

The most obvious choices are the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Edmonton Oilers. 

Tortorella has been linked to the Oilers, but mostly because they've been linked to almost everyone that coaches his style -- push hard and hold players accountable. They tried to interview Bruce Cassidy. That was squashed and it's not clear if the Golden Knights will change their stance on allowing an interview to take place, or if the Oilers even want one now. The Oilers then shifted to Mike Babcock, but the NHL is undergoing an investigation into his conduct from 2023. It's unclear how that whole process will shake out and if there will be hurdles to jump if the Oilers want to bring Babcock in. 

Ironically, the safest and easiest option may be Torts. 

A polarizing coach that doesn't always get along with media, he's said to be great with the players. He forces them into achieving attainable but often uncomfortable goals. Many players have moved on, but remembered their time with him. If he wants to coach, the Oilers' job might be attractive. 

Then again, so might be the Toronto job. However, it seems unlikely the Maple Leafs are his landing spot. GM John Chayka said the team in in the final stages or hiring their coach, and they aren't allowed to speak with Tortorella yet. It seems odd they would be close to hiring someone they've not spoken with. 

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The Toronto Maple Leafs made a big trade on Tuesday with the Philadelphia Flyers, exchanging defensemen and goaltenders, along with a third-round pick going Toronto's way.

Departing with goalie Joseph Woll and D-man Simon Benoit, the Leafs received netminder Samuel Ersson and blueliner Emil Andrae, as well as the third-rounder in the 2026 NHL draft.

There are four players in this trade, but the centerpiece in terms of the return for Toronto is Emil Andrae. In fact, this trade alone has checked off multiple boxes for GM John Chayka and the Maple Leafs.

"It allowed us to create some flexibility," Chayka said of the trade on Tuesday.

Toronto's brass recognized that goaltending depth is a strength in the organization. Meanwhile, the Leafs defense could use a tweak or two as they struggled to break the puck out cleanly last season and finished with the second-most goals against in the NHL.

Acquiring Andrae satisfies a couple of needs for the Maple Leafs. That includes his ability to get up the ice, move the puck, and be a mobile defenseman. Those are all attributes that are limited in Toronto's back end ahead of this trade with Philadelphia.

"Emil Andrae is a player that I've watched for a number of years," Chayka said. "Smart, competitive player, helps us break the puck out more efficiently, a good puck-mover that can also join the rush."

Report: Maple Leafs' John Chayka, Mats Sundin Talking With Morgan Rielly's Representative About Off-Season PlansFor what seems like a possible end for Morgan Rielly's career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, conversations between the defenseman and GM John Chayka and senior executive advisor Mats Sundin are reportedly "ongoing."

Another perk to bringing in Andrae to the Leafs' roster is his age. The 24-year-old defenseman immediately becomes the youngest D-man on the team's regular roster, with 29-year-old Philippe Myers being the next youngest on that blueline.

"We're getting a good, young 'D,'" Chayka said. "We could use some more defense in that age group."

Andrae was drafted in the second round of the 2020 draft at 54th overall. The Swedish 5-foot-9 defenseman played 61 games with the Flyers last season, posting two goals and 11 assists for 13 points.

While averaging 15:20 of ice time in the regular season, Andrae finished with the second-best plus-minus rating at a plus-15 with Philadelphia. Only Noah Cates finished with a better rating, with a plus-26.

Report: NHL Decision Gives Maple Leafs Bizarre 2027 First-Round Draft Choice Between Bruins and FlyersThere's a world where if the Leafs end up winning the lottery again next year, they can decide which of Boston or Philadelphia gets to have it.

The addition of Andrae certainly checked multiple boxes as Chayka and the Maple Leafs kick off their off-season on the trade front, but the 2026 third-round pick that they also received isn't nothing.

Chayka was able to add another draft pick to Toronto's cupboards. The organization now has eight picks for the 2026 draft, four of which are coming in the first three rounds.

With plenty of work still to do, the reasoning behind a trade like this is reasonably clear.

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Former 10-year NHL veteran Kyle Calder died Monday following a brief illness, according to The Associated Press.

He was 47.

The report did not share further information or an official cause of death.

Calder’s daughter, Madison, shared a heartfelt tribute to him in an Instagram post on Monday, including photos of them from her childhood.

View this post on Instagram

“Dad, there will never ever be enough words in the world to describe how incredibly lucky I was to have you as my dad,” Madison wrote. “Never in a million years would I have thought this day would come. There will forever be a void in my heart, but forever a spot just for you.

“The father, husband, son, man, friend, coach, hockey player, and everything in between that you were is truly indescribable. The lessons you taught me, the strength you showed me, and the person you pushed me to become every single day- I carry all of it with me.

“Thank you for being my biggest fan through every stage of my life. Thank you for loving me unconditionally. I would give anything for one more conversation, one more hug, one more ‘I love you,” or to hear your voice one more time.

“I love you more than anything in the world to the moon and back infinitely. Save me a spot on the ice, Dad. I know you’re skating around in heaven cheering all of us on from above. Fly high 6/15/26. Love, your Annie.”

Calder was selected by the Blackhawks in the fifth round (No. 130) of the 1997 NHL Draft and played in 590 career games, including 18 Stanley Cup playoff games, with the Chicago Blackhawks, Philadelphia Flyers, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks.

His best season was 2005-06 with the Blackhawks when when the forward set NHL career highs in goals (26) and points (59) in 79 games.

“The Chicago Blackhawks mourn the loss of Kyle Calder and extend our deepest condolences to Kyle’s family during this extremely difficult and tragic time,” Blackhawks owner Danny Wirtz said in a statement.

“Kyle approached life with the same passion, intensity and incredible dedication that defined his play. His commitment to the game remained strong long after his professional career ended, sharing his love for hockey with all generations of players through his work with Little Blackhawks, local youth teams and the Chicago Blackhawks Alumni Association. While Kyle’s time with us was far too short, I’m comforted in knowing his legacy will live on for many years to come.”

Calder last played with the Ducks in the 2009-10 season.

He retired after playing 27 games for Bakersfield of the ECHL in 2011-12.

After that, Calder remained involved in youth hockey and coached teams in Chicago, Los Angeles and Boston since 2018.

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 some numbers that make sense and others that are going to raise a few eyebrows around the league.

Leading the way is the Colorado Avalanche, who open as the outright favorites at +700. The Hurricanes sit right behind them at +750, giving Carolina a realistic shot at becoming the fourth back-to-back Stanley Cup champions since 2016. The Vegas Golden Knights, who fell short in the Final this spring, are listed at +1000 as they look to rebound and finish the job next time around.

At the other end of the board, the Vancouver Canucks find themselves at the very back of the pack at +50000, with the Calgary Flames just ahead of them at +30000. Both franchises have considerable ground to cover before anyone seriously considers them legitimate contenders.

The Detroit Red Wings open at +6600, a number that raises questions when you consider they were among the better teams in the league before a late-season collapse knocked them completely out of playoff contention. 

This places them behind surprising teams that finished worst than the Red Wings last season like the Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks and tied with the New York Islanders. The odds feel like they are pricing in the uncertainty surrounding the franchise rather than the talent on the roster, and that uncertainty is real and significant.

Hanging over Detroit heading into the offseason is the trade request from captain Dylan Larkin and how the organization will choose to handle it. If the Red Wings make substantial additions in an effort to convince Larkin to stay, the team could look dramatically different and considerably more dangerous by training camp. If they move him, they figure to receive a sizeable return in assets that could accelerate the rebuild or restock the core depending on the direction Larkin's replacement takes the team.

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

Beyond the Larkin situation, Detroit enters the offseason with legitimate foundational pieces already in place. Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider represent two of the better young players at their respective positions in the league, and Justin Faulk provides experienced veteran presence on the back end. Perhaps equally compelling is the collection of players entering contract years, a group that includes Alex DeBrincat, Andrew Copp and goaltender John Gibson.

Players with something to prove in a contract year have a way of elevating their games, and if that group collectively steps up, Detroit could be a much more dangerous team than the current odds suggest. 

If general manager Steve Yzerman makes the right moves this summer, whether that means keeping Larkin or maximizing his return, Detroit's true cup odds may look very different from what the sportsbooks are currently offering and might be the most interesting number on the entire board.

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Goalie Joseph Woll is the clear centerpiece of Tuesday's blockbuster Philadelphia Flyers trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but we can't be so quick to dismiss the teammate coming to Philadelphia with him.

The Flyers sacrificed Sam Ersson, Emil Andrae, and a 2026 third-round pick to acquire Woll, 27, from the Maple Leafs, in addition to defenseman Simon Benoit, who will presumably replace Andrae in the lineup.

And, although Andrae was in and out, and up and down the lineup under Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet, Benoit could eat into those free minutes and then some.

During his Tuesday media availability, Flyers general manager Danny Briere was plenty complimentary of his new defenseman, and suggested a larger role could be there for the taking based on his traits and style of play.

"Maybe he's even higher in the lineup, too. Why not?" Briere said when asked if Benoit would be the de facto No. 7 defenseman.

"We like the physicality he brings, and we like the size and skating aspect, too. Really good skater. . . I think it's going to probably be a little easier for the coaches, having a guy like Simon Benoit back there to use."

Benoit, 27, is a 6-foot-4, 210-pound defender who plays a very meat-and-potatoes game.

Formerly undrafted, Benoit started his NHL career with the Anaheim Ducks, where he was teammates with former Flyers tough guy Nick Deslauriers and affable duo Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale.

After getting his chance, the rugged French-Canadian rearguard carved out a career for himself as a physical, defense-first penalty killer, insulator, shot-blocker, and tough guy.

Benoit can and will drop the gloves, and played some of the best hockey of his NHL career with the Maple Leafs, even if some of it wasn't especially pretty at times.

For what he is, though, the Flyers are trading out Andrae, and perhaps Noah Juulsen, for a player more similar to Nick Seeler.

Flyers 2027 Stanley Cup Odds: Worse Than Expected?Despite making the playoffs, the Philadelphia Flyers find themselves on equal footing with division rivals that came up short.

By extension, this allows the Flyers room to both get younger and less experienced on defense, and make a lineup spot for younger and less experienced players on the right side in David Jiricek and Oliver Bonk.

And, given the nature of his game, Benoit would be a natural fit alongside someone like Drysdale or Jiricek, who can play more freely to generate offense as a result.

Trading with the Maple Leafs and getting both Benoit and Woll allows the Flyers to do different things to their lineup without making too significant a commitment financially.

Benoit has one year remaining on his contract at a meager $1.35 million cap hit, while Woll has two on his at a $3.667 million cap hit.

With that said, the Flyers have just over $5 million committed to two players who will be key cogs in the lineup this season, with Benoit especially having the potential to provide even more value to Tocchet and Co. than advertised at face value.

The 2025-26 season offically ended when the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday to hoist the Stanley Cup.

This marks the offical start of the offseason.

With that said, the Minnesota Wild will now have another thing on its plate after Iowa Wild head coach Greg Cronin was hired in the NHL.

Cronin, 63, was hired by the St. Louis Blues as an assistant coache to a multi-year contract starting in the 2026-27 season.

The Arlington, Massachusetts, native served as head coach of the AHL’s Iowa Wild last season, posting a 27-36-9 record.

Minnesota hired him right after he was replaced by the Anaheim Ducks after he served as head coach from 2023 to 2025.

The Wild will have to hire their third AHL head coach in the last three seasons.

It is also the second time this offseason the Blues have hired a member of the Wild.

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John Tortorella’s time in Vegas is over.

The Golden Knights announced Tuesday that Tortorella will not return as the team’s head coach after taking them to the Stanley Cup Final, ending a short but impactful stint with the organization.

Tortorella joined the Golden Knights in March as Vegas looked for an immediate boost during a pivotal point in the season.

General manager Kelly McCrimmon said the move gave the team what it needed, with Tortorella helping guide the Golden Knights to their third Cup Final appearance in franchise history.

They lost to the Hurricanes in six games in a series that ended Sunday.

“We thank Torts for the guidance he provided our team since joining the organization in March,” McCrimmon said in a statement. “When the decision was made to bring Torts to Vegas, we needed an immediate impact to help us at a pivotal point in the season.

“Torts’ experience and leadership proved to be the boost that we were looking for, helping guide us to the Stanley Cup Final. We are grateful for Torts’ passion, sincerity, and commitment to our organization, and we wish him and his family the best.”

The parting of ways was not unexpected. Tortorella said in an interview with Sportsnet during the Stanley Cup Final that he’d be leaving the team at season’s end.

“Everybody knows that I came on here and end of June, I’m done, as far as with Vegas. Kelly and I made that agreement when we first talked,” Tortorella said.

The Golden Knights did not announce a replacement or any further coaching staff changes in Tuesday’s release. However, Sportsnet linked the team’s AHL head coach Ryan Craig, a former Golden Knights assistant, to the head coaching gig.

The announcement brings an end to a brief partnership between Vegas and one of hockey’s most recognizable coaching figures.

Tortorella’s arrival was framed as a late-season move designed to provide experience and leadership, and the Golden Knights credited him with helping the team through its playoff push.

Vegas has been one of the NHL’s most successful recent franchises since entering the league in 2017-18.

The organization reached the Stanley Cup Final in its inaugural season and won the Stanley Cup in 2022-23.

The Golden Knights now head into the offseason with at least one change to their coaching staff after another deep postseason run.

When the 2025 NHL Free Agency period opened on July 1, two of the Vancouver Canucks’ biggest signings were contract extensions for pending 2026 unrestricted free-agents Thatcher Demko and Conor Garland. 

This year, there are five current Canucks who are eligible to sign contract extensions once July 1, 2026 hits, all of whom are set to become unrestricted free-agents in 2027. 

Two 2025 Trade Acquisitions Will Have Their Current Contracts Expire In 2027

Drew O’Connor

Current Contract: $2.5M x 2yrs 

Acquired alongside Marcus Pettersson in January of 2025, O’Connor has been one of the Canucks’ most consistent players since arriving in Vancouver. The forward, now entering his second full-season with the Canucks, is an asset for the team on the penalty kill as well as for depth scoring. He set a new career-high in goals scored in a single season with 17 during the 2025–26 season and was one of only three players to skate in all 82 games for Vancouver. Like a player like Kiefer Sherwood, O’Connor could fetch an intriguing package from a team looking to add players at the trade deadline. 

Filip Chytil

Current Contract: $4.437M x 4yrs

One of three pieces acquired as part of the J.T. Miller deal in January of 2025, Chytil’s time with the Canucks has been unexpected to say the least. The forward, anticipated to be Vancouver’s second-round centre solution at the time, has only skated in a total of 27 games for the Canucks. Despite showing flashes of speed and skill in 2025 pre-season and training camp, injuries set Chytil back multiple times, with his most recent being an unlucky puck to the face during practice that ended his 2025–26 season. 

Two 2025 Free-Agent Signings Are In Need Of New Deals After Next Season

MacKenzie MacEachern 

Current Contract: $850k x 2yrs 

MacEachern was signed by Vancouver during the 2025 free agency period, inking a two-year, two-way deal. He spent most of his injury-stunted season with the Abbotsford Canucks in the AHL, though he did end up playing in eight games with Vancouver from the end of October to mid-November. With Abbotsford, MacEachern put together six goals and two assists in 21 games. 

Jimmy Schuldt

Current Contract: $850k x 2yrs 

Like MacEachern, Schuldt signed with Vancouver in free-agency in 2025, though he didn’t end up skating in any NHL games this past season. During his 2025–26 season with Abbotsford, the defenceman spent a good chunk of time on the AHL Canucks’ top-pairing, putting up three goals and 15 assists in 70 games despite his team making frequent changes to their blueline. His role in the next season will likely depend on what moves Vancouver chooses to make in free-agency and how their blueline shapes up. 

Tolopilo’s Next Contract Could Make The Canucks’ Goaltending Situation Complicated 

Nikita Tolopilo 

Current Contract: $850k x 2yrs 

Tolopilo’s oncoming free-agent status complicates things a bit within the Canucks organization. Both Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen are locked up until 2029 and 2030 respectively, which doesn’t leave a whole lot of room for Tolopilo to snag NHL minutes. The situation is made even more complex given that the goaltender would require waivers to be sent down to the AHL. Tolopilo split his minutes between the NHL and AHL in 2025–26, putting up a 3.07 GAA and .897 SV% in 19 games with Abbotsford. He performed better than what his numbers with Vancouver show (3.61 GAA and .881 SV%), especially given his status as a rookie goaltender thrust into a difficult position. 

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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Despite wildly unprecedented success with the Vegas Golden Knights, former Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella has re-joined the NHL's coaching carousel.

After replacing the fired Bruce Cassidy, Tortorella, 67, ripped off a 7-0-1 run to end the 2025-26 regular season, then went 14-8 in the playoffs en route to the Stanley Cup Final.

The caveat, though, is that Tortorella's truncated contract with the Golden Knights expires on June 30, and Vegas has already decided, as they announced Tuesday, that it will not be renewed.

For the second time in two years, the ex-Flyers coach is on the streets looking for a new job.

The gruff head coach's stubbornness ended up playing a part in his undoing with the Golden Knights, as he stuck with his former Flyers starting goalie, Carter Hart, through a historically bad start to the Stanley Cup Final.

Flyers Trade For Maple Leafs' Joseph Woll In Blockbuster DealJoseph Woll is heading to the Flyers.

At the other end of the ice, Flyers legend Rod Brind'Amour swapped an injured Freddie Andersen for Brandon Bussi and was ultimately rewarded with a Stanley Cup victory.

With his triumph, Brind'Amour joined an exclusive club at Tortorella's expense, becoming one of four men in NHL history to win a Stanley Cup as both a player and coach with the same franchise.

It is currently unclear as to whether Tortorella can or will return to coaching and explore further opportunities in the 2026-27 season; if not, a return to the ESPN booth could be in the cards once again.

In the end, though, Tortorella's run with the Golden Knights was a classic Tortorella run as a head coach.

Some legendary quotes, like leaving clothes in a hotel, skipping media availabilities that resulted in fines and loss of a draft pick, and some unsustainable success that burned out in the end.