When the San Jose Sharks sent the 20th overall pick to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for the 27th overall selection and Michael Kesselring, a question immediately popped in my mind: just how different are the players often available at 20th overall and 27th overall?
Of course, the obvious fact of the matter is that the Sharks will have seven less players to choose from when they take the stage, but is there a major difference in the caliber of player at each draft choice? Let’s take a look.
Hockey Hall of Famers
The most obvious place to start: how many players from each draft position have found themselves enshrined at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto?
Three players drafted 20th overall have been inducted to the Hall of Fame at this point, but more could follow in the near future.
The first 20th overall pick inducted into the Hall was Larry Robinson in 1995. The legendary defenseman was drafted 20th by the Montreal Canadiens during the 1971 NHL Draft. He went on to play 1,384 games in the NHL, the majority of which came in Montreal, although he finished his career with the Los Angeles Kings. He’s the NHL’s all-time leader in plus/minus, finishing his career with a +722, and won six Stanley Cups as a player.
Michel Goulet was the next 20th overall selection inducted in the Hockey Hall of Fame, earning that honor in 1998 after 15 seasons and 1,089 games in the NHL. He was selected 20th overall by the Quebec Nordiques in 1979.
Most recently, legendary goaltender Martin Brodeur, who was selected 20th overall by the New Jersey Devils in 1990, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018 after setting numerous records throughout his career.
27th overall is a bit tricky in regards to the Hockey Hall of Fame, as technically two players drafted with that pick have gone on to be enshrined at the Hall of Fame, but only one was inducted as a player. Joe Nieuwendyk is the sole 27th overall pick to be inducted into the Hall for his playing career.
The Calgary Flames selected Nieuwendyk in the 1985 NHL Draft, and at the time, the 27th overall pick was in the second round. He went on to play 1,257 career games in the NHL for a number of different teams, and he was a three-time Stanley Cup Champion.
Colin Campbell was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a builder, but he was also selected 27th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 1973 NHL Draft.
For the sake of the on-ice argument, we won’t count Campbell toward the total of 27th overall picks to make it to the Hockey Hall of Fame since it wasn't based on his playing performance. As a result, there were three Hall of Famers drafted 20th overall and only one Hall of Fame player drafted 27th overall.
While the Hall of Fame is a nice accomplishment, quite a few great players never get that honor and it's far from the only milestone worth looking at.
1000+ Games Played
Longevity is key to a successful NHL career. If a player makes it past the 1,000-game plateau, it means they were an impact player in some regard, even if they weren’t necessarily a superstar. With a late first-round pick, general managers aren’t looking for the next Macklin Celebrini or Sidney Crosby; typically, they’re looking for their long-term third-line center or second-pairing defenseman. While they certainly won’t be disappointed if they strike gold, it’s not the expectation.
Five players drafted 20th overall have played 1,000 or more games in the NHL: Brent Burns, Robinson, Brodeur, Goulet, and Travis Zajac.
At 27th overall, there have been six players to pass the 1,000-game threshold. Scott Mellanby, Nieuwendyk, John Carlson, Tie Domi, Scott Gomez, and Steve Staios all were able to hit that milestone before retiring, and Carlson is still going.
200+ Games Played
Now that we’ve gone over impact players, the next question becomes, how many legitimate NHL players have been picked with each selection? Although calling someone an NHLer is often subjective, the threshold we’ll use for this is 200 games played, as it’s very difficult for a player to hang in the league for that long if they’re playing above their skill level.
There have been 32 players selected 20th overall who have gone on to play in 200 or more NHL games during their career. California native Beau Bennett was the last player to meet the criteria, as he finished his playing career with exactly 200 games played.
That number drops slightly with the 27th overall selection, as only 28 players drafted 27th overall have appeared in 200 or more NHL games. With that being said, it’s not a substantial difference.
Overall, it appears that, as expected, the 20th overall pick does have a higher chance at producing a superstar player and an NHLer in general. With that being said, the 27th overall pick has historically had quite a few effective role players with lengthy careers.
While the 20th overall selection gives the Buffalo Sabres a wider prospect pool to choose from, the 27th overall pick produces effective players at a similar rate, meaning the Sharks didn’t give up much value at all to add a useful defenseman, Michael Kesselring, to their blue line.
All-in-all, it appears both teams got exactly what they needed from the trade. The Sabres get a slightly higher chance of getting a player that will eventually crack the NHL, while the Sharks kept their lottery ticket and added the exact type of player they’d hope to get with the 20th overall selection in Kesselring.
The Ducks' 2025-26 season has been over for just over a month and with the 2026 NHL Entry Draft just around the corner, it feels like a good time to start recapping this past season for each player in the organization.
Today's edition of 'By the Numbers' will feature players who wore Nos. 41-50 this season.
If you missed the previous edition of 'By the Numbers', you can click here to read it.
Nathan Gaucher
After playing in almost 200 AHL games, Gaucher finally got the call to the NHL at the end of the regular season. He appeared in three games and while he didn’t get much ice time due to his limited role on the fourth line, he showed that he should probably be in the NHL as a full-time depth option next season.
More of a defensive stalwart than an offensive dynamo, Gaucher spent most of his third professional season in the AHL with the San Diego Gulls. He found himself in a middle-6 role as head coach Matt McIlvane’s choice to center the Gulls’ checking line. He set a new career high with 29 points in 62 games, scored his first professional hat trick and also spent time on the Gulls’ penalty kill.
Gaucher has battled injuries throughout his pro career, which has stalled his development slightly. But his call-up this past season was a nice reward for the work that he’s done over the past three seasons. Capable of playing on the wing in addition to down the middle, Gaucher could slide into the hole left by Jansen Harkins, should the Ducks decide not to bring him back.
Tim Washe
Washe joined the Ducks late last season, signing with them right after winning an NCAA Championship with Western Michigan. He appeared in the final two games of the 2024-25 NHL season.
After being one of the final training camp cuts, Washe spent the first three months of the season with the Gulls, putting up 27 points in 36 games. He was named an AHL All Star and represented the Gulls at the AHL All-Star Game in Rockford alongside goaltender Calle Clang.
Apr 28, 2026; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Anaheim Ducks forward Tim Washe (42) follows the play against the Edmonton Oilers in game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
Washe was recalled by the Ducks in January, filling the role of fourth line center while Leo Carlsson recovered from Morel-Lavallée surgery. He scored his first NHL goal on Jan. 16 in a 3-2 shootout win against the Los Angeles Kings and never returned to the AHL, finding a role as the Ducks’ fourth line center even after players like Carlsson and Mikael Granlund returned from injury.
In the playoffs, Washe, along with Jeff Viel and Ian Moore was tasked with keeping Connor McDavid off the scoresheet. The unorthodox line fared quite well in their expedition, too, though perhaps it can be argued that McDavid wasn’t at full health. But who is during the playoffs?
Washe is in the final year of a two-year contract that he signed with the Ducks last August. He will be a restricted free agent at the end of the 2026-27 season and have arbitration rights. As of now, the expectation is that he will begin the 2026-27 season as the Ducks’ fourth line center. He was also used heavily on the penalty kill as the season progressed, with his knack for winning faceoffs being heavily valued.
Nik Brouillard
Now the Gulls’ all-time leader in games played, Brouillard returned to San Diego after stops in Hartford and Coachella Valley. Brouillard also became the all-time leader in goals scored among Gulls defensemen. On top of all of that, he was also chosen to represent Team Canada at the Spengler Cup, where he put up two points in three games and was named to the Spengler Cup All-Star Team.
A versatile player, Brouillard set the blueprint for Ian Moore, able to rotate between forward and defense. Brouillard didn’t spend as much time on the wing this past season as he had previously, though, primarily suiting up as a defenseman on the Gulls’ bottom pair.
With his AHL-only deal expiring this summer, it would make sense for both parties to reunite for another season. The Gulls recently signed captain Ryan Carpenter to a one-year extension, bringing back an experienced veteran. Brouillard would provide the same qualities.
Ross Johnston
If this is the end of Johnston’s tenure with the Ducks, then what a run it’s been. General manager Pat Verbeek claimed him off waivers from the New York Islanders during preseason in 2023. His acquisition at the time was a puzzling one, but did add forward depth with players like Brock McGinn injured at the time.
While Johnston’s physicality and size made him a nasty customer, his lack of foot speed didn’t fare very well at times in Greg Cronin’s man-to-man defensive scheme. He often drew the ire of Ducks fans, who called for other players to fill his spot in the lineup.
Feb 3, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks left wing Ross Johnston (44) controls the puck against the Seattle Kraken during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Johnston was much more of a spectator during his second season with the Ducks, playing in just 43 games due to healthy scratches and two separate injuries. But he did play alongside Cutter Gauthier early in his rookie season, when Cronin wanted Gauthier to focus on getting back to basics. Mason McTavish also had a stint on the fourth line alongside Johnston for similar purposes.
With Joel Quenneville entering the picture this past season as the new head coach, Johnston once again got the first crack of being on the fourth line. But contrary to the previous two seasons, he was sprinkling in some offense alongside his physicality and the occasional fight.
He picked up his first career Gordie Howe hat trick in October in a 5-2 win against the Nashville Predators, collecting three points that night. He had two multi-point efforts this past season and set a new career high in assists (11) and points (14). A lower-body injury prematurely ended his regular season in March, but he returned for the playoffs, drawing in against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Johnston is a pending UFA and it’s unclear whether he’ll be returning. Quenneville and Verbeek do seem to like his grit, physicality and overall nastiness. But Johnston is also 32 and his play style doesn’t necessarily hold up well as players age.
Beckett Sennecke
Sennecke was one of the Ducks’ top performers this season. It was unclear at the start whether he would remain with the Ducks all season long, but he quickly put that notion to bed. He was the beneficiary of Ryan Strome suffering an oblique injury just before the season opener, being elevated to the second line after spending most of training camp on the fourth line.
60 points was good enough for third among all Ducks skaters in 2025-26, third in Calder Trophy voting and a spot on the NHL All-Rookie team. Sennecke became the eighth NHL All-Rookie Team selection in franchise history, joining Cutter Gauthier, Trevor Zegras, John Gibson, Hampus Lindholm, Frederik Anderson, Bobby Ryan and Paul Kariya.
Apr 3, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing Beckett Sennecke (45) controls the puck against the St. Louis Blues during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Sennecke isn’t short of confidence, attempting crafty moves whenever he can. Sometimes, those moves would be performed recklessly, leading to turnovers and scoring chances against. It’s a situation that isn’t unfamiliar for many young players trying to make their mark in the league. Quenneville benched Sennecke at various points throughout the season, with Sennecke understanding that there’s a time and a place for these moves.
With Troy Terry expected to be out until December while recovering from hip impingement surgery and a torn labrum, Sennecke is one of the players who will be relied upon to shoulder the load. Depending on what offseason moves the Ducks make, Quenneville might even opt to stack his top line with Gauthier, Carlsson and Sennecke.
Eric Nilson
The Ducks selected Nilson in the second round of last year's draft. He spent the past season in the NCAA with Michigan State, playing mostly on the second line with Nashville Predators prospect Ryker Lee.
A defensively responsible player, it was difficult for Nilson to consistently generate his own offense during his first collegiate season. He had just 11 points in 35 games, but also missed time while competing for Sweden in the World Juniors. He had three points in seven games at the tournament, helping Sweden win gold for the first time since 2012.
With Michigan State's No. 1 center Charlie Stramel now signed to the Minnesota Wild, there is an opportunity for Nilson to grab more ice time. 2024 fourth overall pick Cayden Lindstrom, who would be Nilson’s main competition, didn’t fare much better than him in 2025-26, putting up just 10 points in 31 games.
Another offseason full of strength and conditioning should allow Nilson to have a much more productive season offensively in 2026-27.
Noah Warren
It’s been slow-going for Warren, whose development has been plagued by injuries. He’s played 60 games in consecutive seasons, which is encouraging, though most of his playing time this season came on the Gulls’ bottom pair.
Warren is the protypical stay-at-home defenseman, using his size and length to negate opposing opportunities before they can develop. His speed and agility while defending the rush has improved since his arrival in San Diego, which has turned him into a reliable defender. He isn’t going to shock anyone with his offensive abilities, but he did manage 12 points this past season.
Sep 22, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Utah Mammoth left wing Brandon Tanev (13) moves the puck against Anaheim Ducks defenseman Noah Warren (47) during the first period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Though the Ducks’ right-hand side of defense is a bit in flux right now with John Carlson departing and Jacob Trouba and Radko Gudas also potentially on their way out, it’s difficult to imagine Warren having a spot on the Ducks next season, at least right away. He’ll have to beat out the likes of Ian Moore, Drew Helleson and Tristan Luneau, who all have NHL experience.
But with Luneau expected to be in the NHL full-time next season, Warren will likely slide into a top-4 role with the Gulls and be able to prove that he is getting closer to deserving an NHL call-up.
Nico Myatovic
Myatovic’s offensive ceiling probably isn’t as high as most guys who are drafted where he was (33rd overall). He’s scored 19 points in consecutive seasons, his first two as a professional. Where he thrives the most is defensively and on the forecheck. Alongside Gaucher and Judd Caulfield, the trio was relied upon to be a defensively stout line. Myatovic also spent plenty of time on the Gulls’ penalty kill.
He’s still a couple of years away from an NHL call-up, thought his play style would be complementary to the likes of Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier and Beckett Sennecke. A puck hound who can forecheck well, recover pucks and feed high-level playmakers is exactly the type of player you need on a team with Stanley Cup aspirations. Just ask the Carolina Hurricanes.
Whoever the Gulls’ next head coach is may be able to find an expanded role for Myatovic, who spent time on the top line at various points of the season.
Stian Solberg
In his first full season in North America, Solberg logged big minutes on the left side of the Gulls’ defense. He spent most of the season as part of the top-4, playing alongside both Roland McKeown and Tristan Luneau. He had 24 points in 71 games and racked up 102 penalty minutes.
Solberg’s trademark physicality was on display all season, which became a double-edged sword at times if he decided to go out of his way to finish a thundering hit and inadvertently pulled himself out of position.
Jul 1 2025; Irvine, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks prospect Stian Solberg looks on during a drill at Anaheim Ducks Development Camp at Great Park Ice. Mandatory Credit: Derek Lee-The Hockey News
For as promising as Solberg has already looked, especially recently in the IIHF World Championship, the Ducks can afford to be patient with his development. Jackson LaCombe mans the helm on the left side of the Ducks’ defense, followed by the likes of Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger. Tyson Hinds received a late-season call-up and showed that he could be an NHL regular next season as well.
Solberg will likely begin next season with the Gulls again, logging heavy minutes as one of their top left-handed options. Injuries can come at any time, so it’s possible that he sees NHL action at some point next season. But it seems unlikely for now.
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — The Edmonton Oilers re-signed Jason Dickinson to a five-year contract worth $20 million on Sunday, preventing the defensive-minded center from testing the free agent market.
Dickinson will count $4 million against the salary cap through the 2030-31 NHL season. He was set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, three days before his 31st birthday.
Instead, Dickinson will be counted on to provide depth in Edmonton as the organization looks to get over the hump and win the Stanley Cup following a decade of trying and falling short despite having two of the best players in the league in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Dickinson fit in well with the Oilers after they acquired him from Chicago in early March ahead of the trade deadline. He averaged roughly 15 minutes of ice time a game the rest of the season and 12 in the playoffs, becoming one of the team's most frequently penalty killers.
Re-signing Dickinson was one item on a lengthy offseason checklist for general manager Stan Bowman. Hiring a coach could be next, along with potentially trading longtime defenseman Darnell Nurse and upgrading the goaltending position.
The Calgary Flames aren’t exactly grabbing headlines for it just yet, but there’s a quiet sense building around the organization that their rebuild may be tracking a little cleaner—and maybe a little faster—than most teams in a similar position.
A big part of that comes down to what they’re about to walk into at the 2026 NHL Draft.
Heading into KeyBank Center in Buffalo, Calgary owns 11 picks in total, including two first-round selections and six picks inside the top 55. That kind of draft capital doesn’t guarantee anything, but it does give a rebuilding team something invaluable: flexibility. At this stage of the cycle, that’s often the difference between staying stuck and actually moving forward.
The 2026 NHL Draft begins Friday, June 26 at 5 p.m. MT with Round 1, followed by Rounds 2 through 7 on Saturday, June 27 at 9 a.m. MT. Both days will be broadcast on Sportsnet.
Here’s how the Flames’ draft board currently sits:
What stands out isn’t just the sheer volume—it’s how tightly packed those early picks are. Calgary will be on the clock repeatedly in quick succession across the first two rounds, giving them the ability to go in multiple directions: swing for upside, target organizational holes, or package selections if a meaningful trade opportunity presents itself.
Of course, none of it matters in theory. Draft capital only becomes real value when it’s used well—and the league has plenty of examples of teams both maximizing and wasting it.
The Colorado Avalanche, for instance, have shown both sides of that coin in recent years. Some picks have developed into key contributors, while others were moved out in pursuit of another Stanley Cup run that ultimately fell just short. It’s a reminder more than anything: stockpiling assets is only step one. Execution is everything.
For Calgary, that’s the warning label attached to all of this. The opportunity is real—but so is the risk of getting it wrong.
One potential swing at the top of the board is Swedish center Viggo Björck at sixth overall. He’s not the biggest player on the ice, but Calgary has been searching for more long-term center depth, particularly after moving Nazem Kadri back to Colorado.
Björck’s production with Djurgårdens IF in the Swedish Hockey League—six goals and nine assists last season—doesn’t jump off the page at first glance, but his impact has been more noticeable in flashes and in international play. At the IIHF World Juniors, he added three goals and six assists in his debut tournament, helping power his country to a gold medal.
For a Flames organization trying to restock skill down the middle, he represents the kind of bet that can quietly reshape a depth chart over time.
There’s also a broader philosophical shift taking shape in Calgary. The organization still wants veteran presence in the room, but the runway for younger players is getting longer—and more meaningful.
Ryan Lomberg, for example, appeared in just two of Calgary’s final 19 games as the coaching staff increasingly leaned into extended auditions for younger players like Tyson Gross and Aydar Suniev. It wasn’t subtle, either. It felt like a preview of where things are heading.
General manager Craig Conroy didn’t fully tip his hand on Lomberg’s future when asked at season’s end, but he acknowledged the balancing act the organization is now managing.
“We’ve got to take a couple days because everything is emotional. I’ll reflect and see where we think this is going. We have a lot of players under contract right now. When you have players, there needs to be room to play, too.”
That “room to play” part matters—and it’s becoming harder to ignore in Calgary.
Among the young players already forcing the issue is Gross, who scored in just his third NHL game during a 3–1 loss to Colorado on April 9. The goal stood as his first at the NHL level, though he briefly thought he had two before a second was overturned for offside.
Even so, it was a glimpse of something the Flames haven’t had enough of in recent years: young players arriving and looking like they belong.
And that’s really the hinge point for all of this. Calgary’s rebuild won’t be defined by how many picks they have, or even where they pick. It’ll come down to whether those players turn into everyday NHLers—and how quickly they can push the roster forward.
Because if they do, this doesn’t stay a long rebuild for very long. If they don’t, all this draft capital is just paper again.
Should the Philadelphia Flyers try to add a top-six center for the second consecutive offseason, a familiar foe in the Eastern Conference could provide one... at the right price.
North of the border, the Ottawa Senators, fresh off a first-round sweep at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes, are looking for moves they can make to give themselves a better chance at Stanley Cup contention.
Defensive depth has been a question mark, but they have a strong foundation, led by Tim Stutzle, Linus Ullmark, Brady Tkachuk, Thomas Chabot, and Jake Sanderson.
At center, Dylan Cozens, Shane Pinto, and Ridly Greig are all coming along nicely... and the Flyers reportedly have varying degrees of interest in all three.
"According to team sources, the Flyers have interest in Senators centers Shane Pinto, Dylan Cozens and Ridly Greig – in that order. DFO was told that the Flyers and Senators have had on and off trade talks going back to the 2024-25 season; per sources, the Senators were unwilling to move any of their pivots other than Josh Norris," NHL insider Anthony Di Marco recently reported for Daily Faceoff.
Pinto and Cozens are the two most attractive options of the three as the established top-six centers.
Pinto, 25, is coming off a career year, having scored 23 goals, 23 assists, and 46 points in 72 games for the Senators. He's the most expensive at a $7.5 million annual cap hit, though it should be noted that he has one goal in 10 career playoff games.
As for Cozens, he's the most established of the group, as well as the biggest.
The 6-foot-3 former No. 9 overall pick already scored 30 goals in his third NHL season with the Buffalo Sabres back in 2022-23, when he scored 68 points overall.
Cozens hasn't reached that peak since then, but he put together a nice 59-point campaign last season. Notably, the 25-year-old has four seasons remaining on his contract at a $7.1 million cap hit, and he will have a five-team no-trade list kick in next summer.
If the Senators become convinced that Cozens can't reach another gear by then, they could be motivated to strike a deal with the Flyers, even if the latter's preference really is Pinto.
Greig, son of Flyers scout Mark Greig, is more of a third-line center at this stage, though he is young at 23 years old and comes cheap with a $3.25 million cap hit.
The Flyers don't need to save the money, but they could cut corners on a future Noah Cates extension; both players have three seasons remaining on their contracts, but Cates is already older and more expensive.
At the same time, it goes almost without saying that the Flyers would not pursue a virtually pointless trade such as that.
Di Marco notes that "the Senators have shown on and off interest in Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen," and we can assume that this would be the starting point for any trade between the two teams.
Ristolainen's trade value should be going up after a strong playoff run with the Flyers, and that value should be even greater to a team like the Senators who wouldn't be forced to play him in a top-pairing role behind Chabot, Sanderson, and Artyom Zub.
The Flyers won't be unearthing the next superstar this summer, but it is becoming increasingly clear that they will, at the very least, have options to upgrade at the center position via trade.
The 2026 NHL Draft is quickly approaching in just five days and Free Agency begins in just ten days.
This means teams have ten days to re-sign expiring contracts.
One former Wild player re-signed a contract in a pretty cool way.
Nicolas Deslauriers won the Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes and during the team parade, he went up on stage with Canes' General Manager Eric Tulsky and announced a new contract.
The former Wild bruiser announced a two-year contract to stay in Carolina.
NIC DESLAURIERS JUST SIGNED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PARADE 🔥🔥🔥
Deslauriers, 35, was the only trade acquisition for the Canes at the deadline. He played in seven games for the Hurricanes after being acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers for a conditional 7th-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.
The 6-foot-1, 218-pound left-winger, recorded one assist in seven regular season games for Carolina and played in just one playoff game during the Canes' run.
In his time with the Wild, Deslauriers played in 20 regular season games in 2021-22. He recorded three goals and 53 hits. In five playoff games, Deslauriers recorded 13 hits. He has played in six career playoff games. Five with Minnesota and one with Carolina.
He has now signed a two-year contract. The deal will pay Deslauriers $850,000 in 2026-27 and $900,000 in 2027-28.
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The Colorado Avalanche announced on Saturday that the organization has hired Zack Stortini as the head coach of the franchise’s ECHL affiliate, the New Mexico Goatheads.
“We’re happy to welcome Zack to the Avalanche and Goatheads organizations,” Avalanche Scout Mike Battaglia, who oversees ECHL operations for the Avs. “Over his first seven years coaching in the AHL and OHL, Zack has established himself as a rising coach, and we feel he’s a great fit for the Goatheads as we embark on their inaugural season.”
We have announced today that the organization has hired Zack Stortini as the head coach of the franchise’s ECHL affiliate, the New Mexico Goatheads. pic.twitter.com/UIbqIOT0mM
Stortini spent parts of six seasons in the NHL, five of which were with the Edmonton Oilers.
Selected by the Oilers in the third round of the 2003 NHL Draft, Stortini played parts of 15 professional seasons, appearing in 860 games across the NHL and AHL.
He made his NHL debut on January 20, 2007, against the Calgary Flames, and played all but one of his 257 NHL games with the Oilers. Through his 257 NHL appearances, he tallied 41 points (14g/27a). He was known primarily as an enforcer and physical presence rather than a scorer.
In 2011, he became a full-time minor league player. His 603 AHL games were spread across teams including the Charlotte Checkers, San Jose Barracuda, Binghamton Senators, Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Norfolk Admirals, Milwaukee Admirals, Oklahoma City Barons, Hamilton Bulldogs, and others, totalling 109 points (55g/54a).
He accumulated 1,825 penalty minutes during his professional career and served as captain or alternate captain at multiple stops. He was also a three-time nominee for the AHL's Yanick Dupre Memorial Award for community contributions.
Stortini did get chances to return to the NHL, hoping to breakthrough in preseason with the Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers. He did not make either team.
After retiring, he returned to the Sudbury Wolves of the OHL as an assistant coach. Most recently, he spent the last four seasons as an assistant coach with the AHL's Tucson Roadrunners before being named the first head coach of the new ECHL expansion team, the New Mexico Goatheads.
One specific area that the Blue Jackets should look to improve this off-season is their defensive depth. When looking at this year's pending unrestricted free agents, Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Ryan Shea stands out as an interesting potential target for them to consider.
When Sergei Bobrovsky decided that he didn’t want to play for the Columbus Blue Jackets any longer, fans were gutted. How could the best goalie to ever wear the Union Blue want to leave? He owns just about every organizational record there is for goalies, including games played, wins, goals-against, saves, shutouts, minutes played, and points scored.
First up will be the 2026 NHL buyout window. The first buyout period this year starts 48 hours after the Stanley Cup playoffs end. So, with Carolina ending it last night, clubs will start the process of figuring out if they wish to buy a player out, and that process must conclude by June 30th at 5pm ET.
According to BetMGM's odds, the CBJ are listed at +5000 to win the 2027 Stanley Cup. That's the 16th-best odds in the league. Other teams at +5000 are the Washington Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers.
After being drafted 1st overall, Nash went on to sign his first NHL contract, a deal that was signed minutes before the deadline. That contract, at the time, was the most lucrative ever signed by an NHL rookie, valued at $1.2 million per season, with bonuses and incentives ranging from $8 million to $12 million.
When looking at this year's pending UFAs, one players who stands out as a potential option for the Blue Jackets to consider is Minnesota Wild forward Vladimir Tarasenko.
Adam Fantilli is the future of the Columbus Blue Jackets, and with him needing a new deal, many fans are worried that he won't get signed before July 1st, leading to an offer sheet that the CBJ won't be able to afford.
I'm here to tell you that there's nothing to worry about. At least, that's my humble opinion.
Former Columbus Blue Jackets forward and Cleveland Monsters Captain Ryan Craig has been promoted by the Vegas Golden Knights to be their next head coach. He replaces John Tortorella, who just took the VGK to the Stanley Cup Final. It was announced on June 16 that Tortorella would not be back to coach Vegas.
One way that the Blue Jackets could look to improve their group this summer is through free agency. There are some interesting pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs) who could hit the market on July 1, and one of them is Dallas Stars forward Michael Bunting.
"The league has completed its review of Mike Babcock's tenure in Columbus, and of certain alleged conduct associated therewith. Our investigation has concluded that, even in the light least favorable to Mr. Babcock, there is no current basis to restrict his employment in the league."
Everyone is the media expects and hopes GM Don Waddell does something to bolster the lineup. From trading up to trading down, to trading players, everything seems to be on the table.
When looking at this year's pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs), one player who could be an intriguing addition to the Blue Jackets' roster is Seattle Kraken forward Eeli Tolvanen.
The Blue Jackets have announced that they have signed defenseman Corson Ceulemans to a one-year, two-way contract extension. At the NHL level, the 6-foot-2 defenseman will have an $850,000 cap hit. He will have an AHL salary of $95,000.
Jake Christiansen has a lot to prove next season if he wants to remain a member of the CBJ. He'll be a UFA at the end of 26-27, and will be playing for his future.
Next Up For Columbus: The NHL Draft is on June 26 and 27 in Buffalo, where the CBJ will own pick #14.
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On Monday, the Hockey Hall of Fame will announce its latest crop of inductees, and one former Montreal Canadiens player should keep his phone within reach. Goaltender Carey Price was eligible to enter the Hall last year, but he didn’t get the call then; the selection committee instead opted for Zdeno Chara, Duncan Keith, Joe Thornton, Alexander Mogilny, Brianna Decker, and Jenniffer Botterill on the players’ side and Daniele Sauvageau and Jack Parker on the builders’ side.
While Price’s contract comes to an end this season, he hasn’t made an official retirement announcement, but being officially retired is not a criterion for entry; a player only needs to have not played professional hockey for three years to be eligible. The former face of the franchise last manned the Canadiens’ net on April 29, 2022, in a 10-2 rout of the Florida Panthers’ “C-team”, since the Cats rested most of their regulars.
The goaltending great's resume leaves little doubt that he should be in the Hall. From an individual standpoint, Price won every trophy he was up for in 2014-15, netting the Vezina Trophy as the league’s best goaltender, the Hart Trophy as the most valuable player for his team, the William M. Jennings Trophy for the fewest goals allowed, and the Ted Lindsay Award as the most outstanding player as voted by the members of the NHLPA. In 2021-2022, he was awarded the Bill Masterton Trophy for his dedication to the game and his perseverance. Price overcame substance abuse with the help of the Player Assistance Program and fought through numerous injuries in his career.
The one blemish on his record is that he couldn’t bring a 25th Stanley Cup to Montreal; that wasn’t on him, though. From the 2013-14 season onward, Price was clutch in the playoffs, posting brilliant numbers and achieving save percentages of .919, .920, .933, .936, and .924, along with goals-against averages of 2.36, 2.23, 1.86, 1.78, and 2.28. He came up just short in 2021, losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the final. If the Canadiens never won the Cup with him in net, it was no fault of his own; it was down to Montreal’s anemic offense. Price and the Tricolore might have reached the Cup Final in 2013-14 as well had it not been for the infamous Chris Kreider incident. The goaltender was dominant that year, but when Kreider crashed into him in Game 1 of the Conference Final against the New York Rangers, the Canadiens’ dream of a 25th Stanley Cup came crashing down as well.
This year, there are a few big names who will be in their first year of eligibility, including Boston Bruins mainstays Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, and Stanley Cup Champions Phil Kessel and Eric Staal. The likes of Rod Brind'Amour, Vincent Damphousse, and Keith Tkachuk are still waiting for their turn as well. The official announcement will take place on Monday, June 22, at 3:00 PM ET. Watch this space to find out if Price made the cut.
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MARCH 14: Ben Kindel #81 of the Pittsburgh Penguins warms up before a game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Utah Mammoth at Delta Center on March 14, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Eli Rehmer/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
Kyle Dubas makes such frequent transactions around the Penguins that plotting a long-term path can be difficult. It only takes one call to dramatically alter the future in ways that can’t be imagined these days.
With that in mind that this exercise is likely to have more hits than misses, what could the Penguins look like for the 2027-28 season? Let’s take a shot.
Top-6 forwards: Sidney Crosby, Egor Chinakhov, Ben Kindel, Bryan Rust, ?, ?
The forward group is going to need a lot of work. We’ll project that Crosby signs an extension and plays as a 40-year old in 2027-28 and Evgeni Malkin heads on to a happy retirement. Rickard Rakell is still under contract for this season, but we’ll put an outlook that he’s traded, which isn’t the case for Bryan Rust.
By this point, McGroarty ought to be in the NHL lineup, though it’s not a certainty. Similarly, is a then 21-year old Bill Zonnon ready for prime time after one year in the AHL coming up in 2026-27? It’s a possibility but also a big leap to even pencil him in as a full-time NHLer by then, as can be said for all the other players a rung below the NHL.
Right shot defense: Harrison Brunicke, ?, Kris Letang
Kris Letang is under contract, he’ll also be 40 this year and his decline could push him elsewhere by the start of 2027-28. He might well have a spot here. There could be an outside chance that Erik Karlsson sticks around, but it seems better odds than not by 2027 that he will be gone. Beyond Brunicke, there isn’t a lot in the even intermediate picture here, though that could be solved in the coming days or weeks if the Pens are able to acquire the services of a defender on a multi-year contract.
Left shot defense: ?
On this, we’re drawing a complete blank. Maybe one can hope Owen Pickering and/or Jake Livinavage will be in the picture by this point. It’s certainly possible, though nothing to bank on with confidence. The Pens have a lot of work to do, whether that means re-signing Parker Wotherspoon or bringing in more NHL bodies soon, the canvas is pretty blank and needs a lot of painting to be done. This could be one reason why those Darnell Nurse rumors are lingering, Nurse might not be the most optimal potential option out there, but the Pens do need some material here.
Goalie: Sergei Murashov, ?
It’s possible Arturs Silovs could grow into some staying power and come back for a third season as a Penguin in 2027-28. The pliable nature of goalies makes us think this could be something at least TBD more than baking in an expectation at this point.
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There’s not much material above, which is kinda the point to emphasize how open-ended the situation is for Pittsburgh moving forward. They only currently have seven players who finished the season in the NHL (Kindel, Rust, Rakell, Lizotte, Dewar, Letang, Graves) even under contract in 2027-28, several of those names being veterans that they may even trade in the next 15 months. That small number is bound to change soon, including once they get through the heavy player movement seen at next week’s draft and through the thick of free agency in the opening days of July.
It emphasizes a ton of options available and flexibility of how to move forward. Some answers will find themselves, like if players like McGroarty, Avery Hayes, Ville Koivunen and Elmer Soderblom step up and prove they should have a spot moving forward or if mid-level veterans like Wotherspoon, Novak, and Sam Girard entrench themselves into a longer stay.
Otherwise, at this point, the Penguins have a position that looks both risky and also exciting in a medium-term outlook. From 2021-23, tons of players like Rust, Rakell, Letang, Malkin, Graves, Tristan Jarry and Noel Acciari all got 3-6 year contracts, lately that’s been eradicated. Only Lizotte (three-years) and Jack St. Ivany (2024, a near-minimum deal for three seasons) have received term of more than two seasons since July 2023, not counting the requisite three-year deals that go to entry level rookies.
As a result, the future is wide open for the Pens to steer in any number of directions. Dubas already indicated not to expect Pittsburgh to be involved in high-end free agents that will sign for lots of dollars and term this summer. Trades could be a way to bolster the lineup, and progress of any young players in the next 12 months would also be very welcome for a Penguin team that is going to need a lot of material to develop for their club in an intermediate outlook.
After the Pittsburgh Penguins were eliminated from the playoffs by the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, people shifted their focus to the offseason, which features the upcoming NHL Entry Draft, trade rumors, and free agency.
And it appears one of the Penguins' pending-unrestricted free agents has made a decision on his future.
According to NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, forward Anthony Mantha is electing to test free agency. LeBrun said that the Penguins were willing to bring Mantha, 31, back on a one-year deal, but Mantha and his agent, Olivier Fortier, want to see if they can get something longer-term.
The towering 6-foot-5 winger is coming off a career year that directly followed up ACL surgery, as he recorded 33 goals and 64 points this season, both career-highs. He led the Penguins in goals during the regular season but came up empty in the six-game first-round series against the Flyers, totaling just one assist.
There was never really much doubt that Mantha would test the market, as the Penguins were probably always going to be reluctant to hand him term given their direction and efforts to build younger. Some sources have claimed Mantha is looking for a four-year deal, although that has not yet been confirmed.
Mantha isn't the only free agent the Penguins must decide on. Other UFAs include defenseman Ryan Shea and forward Noel Acciari, while scoring winger Egor Chinakhov and goaltender Arturs Silovs headline the RFA class.
The Colorado Avalanche have found the first coach in New Mexico Goatheads history, turning to a rising name in the professional ranks to lead their new ECHL affiliate into its inaugural season.
The organization announced Friday that Zack Stortini has been hired as the Goatheads' first head coach. The 40-year-old arrives after spending the last four seasons as an assistant coach with the AHL's Tucson Roadrunners, the top affiliate of the Utah Mammoth.
Stortini joins the Avalanche system with seven years of coaching experience between the AHL and OHL, earning a reputation as a developing coach with a strong background in player development. During his time in Tucson, the Roadrunners compiled a 141-116-26-5 record and reached the Calder Cup Playoffs in three consecutive seasons from 2022-23 through 2024-25.
"We're happy to welcome Zack to the Avalanche and Goatheads organizations," Avalanche scout Mike Battaglia, who oversees ECHL operations for Colorado, said in a statement. "Over his first seven years coaching in the AHL and OHL, Zack has established himself as a rising coach, and we feel he's a great fit for the Goatheads as we embark on their inaugural season."
Before joining Tucson, Stortini spent three seasons with the OHL's Sudbury Wolves, serving as an assistant coach from 2019-21 before being promoted to associate coach for the 2021-22 campaign.
His coaching resume includes helping oversee the development of several standout young players. During the 2022-23 season, Tucson forward Michael Carcone led the AHL in scoring with 85 points in 65 games. A year later, Josh Doan earned AHL All-Rookie Team honors after scoring 26 goals in 62 contests.
For Stortini, the opportunity represents his first head coaching position at the professional level.
"I am grateful to the organization for the opportunity to be the first head coach of the Goatheads, and am really looking forward to leading the new ECHL club," Stortini said. "I'd like to thank REV Entertainment, Jared Johnson and Mike Battaglia for their trust in me, as well as extend a big thank you to the whole Goatheads organization and the Rio Rancho community. I am excited to get started this season."
Long before moving behind the bench, Stortini carved out a lengthy professional playing career.
Selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the third round of the 2003 NHL Draft, he played parts of 15 professional seasons, appearing in 860 games across the NHL and AHL. He suited up for 257 NHL contests with the Oilers and Nashville Predators, recording 14 goals and 41 points, while adding more than 600 games in the AHL.
Known as a physical forward and respected locker-room presence, Stortini accumulated 1,825 penalty minutes during his professional career and served as captain or alternate captain at multiple stops, including Sudbury and Binghamton. He was also a three-time nominee for the AHL's Yanick Dupre Memorial Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to local communities and charitable causes.
The Goatheads, who will play out of Rio Rancho Events Center, are preparing for their first season as Colorado's ECHL affiliate under the ownership of REV Entertainment. The organization recently hired Jared Johnson as general manager after he spent the last several years with the SPHL's Huntsville Havoc, where he oversaw business operations and ticketing while helping the franchise establish multiple attendance records.
Winnipeg native Isaac Poulter will remain with his hometown organization for at least another season.
The Jets announced that they have re-signed the 24-year-old goaltender to a one-year, two-way contract extension carrying an NHL average annual value of $855,000. He will make roughly $103K playing in the minors.
Photo by James Carey Lauder/USA Today
Poulter spent the 2025-26 season in the Jets organization, splitting time between the Manitoba Moose and ECHL's Norfolk Admirals.
The Winnipeg-born netminder went 2-0-0 through three appearances with Manitoba while posting a 25-17-1 record with two shutouts in 43 games with Norfolk.
The signing gives Winnipeg additional organizational depth in goal while keeping a familiar Manitoba name in the system. The 6-foot-2 backstop has appeared in 80 career AHL games, owning a 42-24-10 record with five shutouts - decent numbers for the second-best league in North America.
Before turning pro, Poulter spent four seasons with the Swift Current Broncos before working his way through the American Hockey League ranks and eventually signing an NHL deal with the New Jersey Devils. He began his hockey career at the RINK Hockey Academy.
Although the 2026 NHL Draft is generally regarded as weaker and more shallow than usual, the Philadelphia Flyers can still address an important need of theirs with their first-round pick. And, if they're lucky, two needs at the same time.
A few months back, it looked as though the Flyers would certainly end up nabbing one of the B-tier center prospects, such as Alexander Command or Ilia Morozov.
The draft stock of both players has risen astronomically since, and they are unlikely to be options for the Flyers when they're on the clock at Pick 21.
However, the Flyers can still secure themselves a talented player who can play both center and wing, if they choose to pass on a top defenseman at that point in the first round.
With the 21st overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, the Philadelphia Flyers select...
It's no secret that the Flyers have preferred to draft for size in recent years, and Maddox Dagenais does fit that mold.
Dagenais, however, played more of a finesse game until, midway through the season, started imposing himself physically and used his size to his advantage.
Where the 18-year-old falls in the draft will ultimately depend on how teams view him: is Dagenais only engaged sometimes, or is he the player who found and unlocked his own dominance?
Dagenais currently ranks as high as 16th (McKeen's) and as low as 43rd (Smaht Scouting), though the consensus is in the middle: somewhere in the 20s.
While Dagenais is most likely to be a winger at the next level, he does have the ability to play center, and that gives the Flyers more options going forward.
For me, comparisons to this kind of player would include Pavel Zacha and Pierre-Luc Dubois, who were both high draft picks with size, skill, and versatility, but never lived up to their full potential.
Still, they developed into useful top-six forwards who can provide different elements to their respective teams.
It helps, too, that Dagenais hails from an NHL bloodline; his father, Pierre, played 142 NHL regular season games with the New Jersey Devils, Florida Panthers, and Montreal Canadiens.
Dagenais has all the tools to be a successful NHLer, and even an upper-tier forward, at that. How far he can take it depends on him, his work, and the team that drafts him, be it the Flyers or another team.
The forward and the rest of his Hurricanes teammates were celebrating their Stanley Cup championship during the team’s parade on Saturday when the NHL veteran attended to a pressing matter.
The 35-year-old, who joined the team in March via trade, was a free agent following the team’s impressive run — but that’s no longer the case.
As seen in a video posted to the franchise’s X account, general manager Eric Tulsky pulled out a contract before Tulsky stepped up to sign it.
The forward high-fived a teammate before putting pen to paper and proudly shouting a message to the fans.
Deslauriers played sparingly during the Hurricanes’ championship run, as he appeared in just one game during the first round against Ottawa.
According to WFMY News 2, Deslauriers will be paid $850,000 in the 2026-27 season and $900,000 in 2027-28.
Deslauriers began the season with the Flyers, with whom he played 24 games before being traded to Carolina for a conditional seventh-round pick on March 6.
Nicolas Deslauriers of the Carolina Hurricanes raises the Stanley Cup at T-Mobile Arena after defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NHLI via Getty Images
The Quebec native was a third-round pick by the Kings in 2009, but ultimately began his NHL career with the Sabres in 2013-14.
He spent four seasons in Buffalo before moving on to stints with the Canadiens, Ducks, Wild and the Flyers.
He has 53 goals and assists apiece in 708 regular season games.
The Hurricanes won the franchise’s second Stanley Cup by defeating the Golden Knights in six games.
Jordan Staal was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy for the MVP of the playoffs with 12 points (eight goals, four assists).
