Larkin has been captain of the Red Wings since 2021. He's a six-time 30-goal scorer, including the last five seasons.
He also was a standout for the USA at the Olympics and the 4 Nations Face-Off.
The Red Wings' 10-season playoff drought is now the longest in the NHL after the Buffalo Sabres clinched a postseason spot. Larkin hasn't been in the postseason since his rookie year in 2015-16.
The Red Wings were quiet at the 2025 trade deadline, which Larkin had noted, and were more aggressive in 2026, bringing in Justin Faulk and David Perron. But they faded down the stretch again to miss the playoffs.
Dylan Larkin contract status
Larkin, 29, has five years left on his contract (through 2031) at a $8.7 million cap hit. He has a full no-trade clause the next two seasons and a modified no-trade clause afterward.
It might be difficult for Larkin to be moved quickly because general manager Steve Yzerman won't trade him without getting top value. And Larkin can dictate where he goes.
The 2026 Stanley Cup Final is underway, with the Western Conference champion Vegas Golden Knights challenging the Eastern Conference champion Carolina Hurricanes.
On top of the plethora of homegrown and drafted talent in their respective lineups, neither team would be where it is today without acquiring veterans from other clubs, such as the Calgary Flames.
This season's Final features three prominent former Flames players, including Golden Knights defensemen Rasmus Andersson and Noah Hanifin, and Hurricanes center Mark Jankowski.
Rasmus Andersson
Out of the three former Calgary players in this year's Final, Andersson had arguably the best career in Southern Alberta. He skated with the Flames for 10 seasons and 617 games, scoring 64 goals and 278 points, while serving as an alternate captain before a January 2026 trade to Vegas.
Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
Originally drafted in the second round (53rd overall) of the 2015 Entry Draft, Andersson was one of only three players, with captain Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman, left from the franchise's last playoff game, a Game 5 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers on May 26, 2022.
When the Flames began to retool their roster over the past year, Andersson's name was among the top trade chips General Manager Craig Conroy held. After months of speculation, Conroy used his veteran defenseman's experience to acquire two draft picks (First and Second Round in 2027), plus Zach Whitecloud and Abram Wiebe from the Golden Knights on Jan. 18, 2026.
As Andersson chases his first Stanley Cup ring, his career with the Flames ranks in the top seven all-time amongst defensemen in team history, with the seventh most games played and goals, and the sixth most assists and points.
2026 Playoff Stats (Ahead of the Final) 16 GP - 0 G - 5 A - 6 Pts - 14 PIM - Plus-4
Noah Hanifin
Hanifin came to Calgary via a trade from the Hurricanes on June 23, 2018, the team that selected him as the fifth overall pick in the 2015 Entry Draft. In one of the more famous trades in team history, the Flames dealt away future Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox, a prospect at the time, with Dougie Hamilton in exchange for Elias Lindholm and Hanifin.
Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
Lindholm became a 40-goal scorer with the Flames, while Hanifin became a leader on the blueline, averaging 21:39 a game throughout his five and a half seasons with the team. Although Hanifin has averaged 35 points per season throughout his career, his best campaign came in Calgary during the 2021-22 season, when he tallied 10 goals and 38 assists for 48 points in 81 games, with a plus-27 rating.
Viewed as another intriguing trade option during the 2023-24 season, Conroy dealt Hanifin to Vegas as part of a three-way deal that also included the Philadelphia Flyers. Although there were many moving parts in the transition, the Flames ended up with a conditional first-round pick in 2026, which turned into Daniil Miromanov, and a third-round pick in 2024, which they used to select Kirill Zarubin.
2026 Playoff Stats (Ahead of the Final) 16 GP - 0 G - 6 A - 6 Pts - 2 PIM - Plus-3
Mark Jankowski
Jankowski was a Flames first-round selection, 21st overall, at the 2012 Entry Draft, who eventually made his NHL debut during the 2016-17 season. During the following campaign, 2017-18, he became a regular in the lineup, scoring a career-high 17 goals in 72 games.
Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
He would skate in 208 games with the Flames, tallying a total of 36 goals and 64 points with 59 penalty minutes before signing as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 9, 2020.
Despite the shortest tenure of the three former Flames in this year's Final, Jankowski is the only one who can claim that the legendary Jaromir Jagr set up his first NHL goal.
2026 Playoff Stats (Ahead of the Final) 14 GP - 0 G - 4 A - 4 Pts - 12 PIM - Plus-3
Which former Flames player are you cheering for to win their first Stanley Cup? Let us know in the comments.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - JUNE 02: Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes is defended by Shea Theodore #27 of the Vegas Golden Knights. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It was a thrilling Game 1 which saw the Vegas Golden Knight earn the first victory of the series in a 5-4 final over the Carolina Hurricanes. There were multiple lead changes and rallies. Will Vegas take a commanding hold of the series on the way to their second Stanley Cup or will Carolina punch back?
WILL THE HURRICANES TIE THE SERIES, OR WILL THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS TAKE A 2-0 LEAD BACK TO VEGAS? 🎬
Game 1 saw five different goal scorers for Vegas. Brett Howden netted his 11th goal for this post season’s lead. Tomas Hertl eventually scored the game winner late in the third period.
Projected Lineup
Ivan Barbashev — Jack Eichel — Pavel Dorofeyev
Brett Howden — William Karlsson — Mitch Marner
Tomas Hertl — Colton Sissons — Mark Stone
Cole Smith — Nic Dowd — Keegan Kolesar
Brayden McNabb — Shea Theodore
Noah Hanifin — Rasmus Andersson
Kaedan Korczak — Jeremy Lauzon
Carter Hart
Adin Hill
Carolina Hurricanes
It was a storybook start for Carolina which saw Nikolai Ehlers score the first two goals in Game 1 but Carolina just came up short in enough contributions on the scoreboard to take that first game. Will tonight be any different?
Seth Jarvis scored on the power play in overtime after Carolina erased a deficit in regulation only to gave up a late tying goal, and the Hurricanes beat the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday night to the series.
Jarvis’ OT heroics came after a thrilling third period that included four goals being scored and another getting called off because of goaltender interference.
The Hurricanes had almost nothing going for the first 45 minutes, falling behind by two goals as the Golden Knights took advantage of a couple of scoring chances and locked down defensively. A couple of strong shifts in the offensive zone just before the midway point of the third brought the crowd back to life because the Hurricanes were buzzing.
Logan Stankoven made a terrific individual effort to get them on the board, taking the puck away from Rasmus Andersson, going to the net and banking a shot off Jeremy Lauzon and in with 9:40 remaining in regulation. Less than three minutes later, Mark Jankowski fired a shot past Carter Hart to tie it, flipping the script from Game 1, when Vegas erased a multigoal deficit and won.
The Hurricanes took the lead with 4:35 left when their captain, Jordan Staal, redirected Shayne Gostisbehere’s point shot in on the power play. It was just their eighth power play goal of the playoffs.
That was 25 seconds after the Golden Knights thought they scored at the other end.
Frederik Andersen initially went full extension to deny Ivan Barbashev with the paddle of his stick, and a scrum ensued in the crease that ended with the puck eventually in the net. Referee Jean Hebert waved it off immediately, saying Andersen was pushed into the net and ruling it was goaltender interference.
Tortorella after some deliberation opted to challenge, and the on-ice officials in consultation with the NHL’s situation room confirmed the call on the ice stood. That put the Hurricanes on the power play, and Staal — the captain who has been around longer than anyone else on his team — cashed in.
After Mark Stone tied it for Vegas with 1:21 left in regulation to send the game to OT, Tomas Hertl tripped Staal to put Carolina back on the power play. That allowed Jarvis to score just Carolina’s eighth power play goal of the playoffs.
The Chicago Blackhawks have a lot of assets that could allow them to make a big trade for a player who helps them win in the present.
They are not competing for the Stanley Cup next season, but they are going to attempt to be better than 31st place once again.
It is a weak free agent class, which is becoming the new normal, but a lot of great players are on the trade market. On Thursday, however, the NHL world was hit with massive news.
According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin is available because he has requested a trade. This could stem from a messy contract issue a few years ago or their current playoff drought, and that has made him want out.
Larkin is a world-class player, and guys like him don't get moved very often, which is why Chicago must have him at the top of their trade target list as we advance. He would make them a significantly better team all by himself.
Whether he plays center or wing in Chicago doesn't matter; they'd get a boost either way. He also has experience with head coach Jeff Blashill from Blashill's time in Detroit.
In 808 games played in his NHL career, Larkin has 276 goals, 367 assists, and 643 points. At 29 years old, he is consistently a top player, averaging around a point per game annually.
Larkin made the playoffs with the Red Wings in his rookie season and hasn't been back since, so the big game NHL experience isn't there necessarily, but he played a big role in Team USA winning the Gold Medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
This is also an incredibly fast player, so much so that he's won the fastest skater competition at the NHL Skills Competition. With stars like Connor Bedard, Anton Frondel, and Frank Nazar at even strength and on the power play, the Hawks would all of a sudden have a dangerous-looking attack if they added Larkin.
What would it cost to get Larkin? Well, now that this report is out, the Red Wings don't have much leverage, especially considering that Larkin currently has a no-move clause and can influence where he goes. Chicago has draft capital and prospects that can be moved in a deal like this.
If he decided that he likes Chicago's direction, enjoys the city, and wants to reunite with Blashill, the Hawks should be all over it.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting on the article below on THN.com or by creating your own post in our community forum.
Larkin has five seasons left on an eight-year deal worth $8.7 million annually with a full no-trade clause over the next two seasons.
The 29-year-old recorded a career-high 34 goals and 33 assists for 67 points in 74 games this past season.
The New York Islanders are in dire need of adding elite talent to their roster, and Larkin certainly would be a fit.
However, general manager Mathieu Darche wasn't willing to move his top prospects at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, and there's no reason to think that Victor Eklund and Kashawn Aitcheson are on the table now.
Then again, no one expected for Larkin to be available this summer.
While the Red Wings don't have much leverage given Larkin's full no-trade clause, one would think Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman would explore Mathew Barzal's availability if the Islanders come calling, given Barzal has five seasons left at $9.15 million annually.
Barzal isn't being shopped despite a recent report, and ideally, the Islanders would want Barzal setting up Larkin. Also, does Barzal fit the Red Wings timeline?
Detroit has missed the playoffs for a 10th straight season and is likely heading toward a retool, so a player like Cal Ritchie could be more enticing than a Barzal.
Could Cole Eiserman be on the table?
There's no question that Darche will contact Yzerman, as will the other 30 teams, to see what the cost would be for the lethal scorer.
Long Island bound is likley not in Larkin's future, but it's not every day a player of this level becomes available.
One would think that Detroit would be looking for a haul of picks and prospects for Larkin.
The Islanders own the 13th pick at the 2026 NHL Draft.
The Detroit Red Wings could be on the verge of one of the biggest moves in recent franchise history.
According to an explosive new report from NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, longtime Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin, the only remaining player on the roster who played in the franchise's most recent Stanley Cup Playoff appearance in 2016, has requested a trade.
"According to multiple sources, Dylan Larkin recently requested a trade from Detroit," Friedman reported on Sportsnet. "There’s a lot to unpack here. First, should mention that no one would comment. Not Larkin, not agent Pat Brisson, not Red Wings Executive Vice-President & GM Steve Yzerman."
Larkin, a Michigan native who played for the University of Michigan and whom the Red Wings selected in the first round (15th overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft, was named the 37th captain in team history in January 2021.
The Red Wings are currently stuck in the NHL's longest active postseason drought at 10 years and counting.
After the Red Wings missed the playoffs in 2024-25, Larkin openly expressed disappointment that GM Steve Yzerman didn't make a more meaningful acquisition at the NHL Trade Deadline, which may have caused some tension in their relationship.
Larkin, who signed an eight-year contract extension in 2023, still has five years left on the deal with an $8.7M cap hit, and holds a full no-trade clause over the next two seasons; that turns into a 10-team list afterward.
In 808 career NHL games, Larkin has scored 276 goals with 367 assists. His 643 points are ranked 10th all time in team history.
Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
The NHL’s Stanley Pup, a friendly competition featuring adoptable rescue dogs, will air in the U.S. and Canada on June 8 to celebrate the 2026 Stanley Cup Final.
All 32 NHL teams will be represented by a puppy, many of which will be available for adoption through adoption partner Brandywine Valley SPCA.
The St. Louis Blues’ dog this season is named Jordan Bone-Ington.
The show will premiere on June 8 on truTV and simulcast on HBO Max in the U.S. (8:30 p.m. CT) and on Sportsnet in Canada (7 p.m. CT).
This years event will feature several celebrity appereances, as notable names are Kenan Thompson (Saturday Night Live, D2: The Mighty Ducks), Flavor Flav, Anthony Anderson (black-ish), Jean Smart (Hacks), Brooke Shields (The Blue Lagoon, Pretty Baby), Kelli Giddish (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit), Michael Strahan (Good Morning America), Joel McHale (Community, Animal Control), singer-songwriter Bryan Adams, Kendall Vertes (Dance Moms), Emma Kenney (Shameless, The Connors), broadcasting legend Doc Emrick, Anson Carter, Paul Bissonnette, Liam McHugh and Chris Chelios (NHL on TNT), and Dan Powers and Chris Powers (Empty Netters Podcast).
Meet our representative for this year's Stanley Pup 🦴🐶 While the competition is ruff, we are pawsitive that this puck hound will bring the same dogged determination as her namesake.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
Buffalo Sabres veteran head coach Lindy Ruff exceeded all expectations last season, ending an NHL record 14-season playoff drought and winning the Atlantic Division, which was thought to make him a favorite for the Jack Adams Award, but on Wednesday Tampa Bay’s Jon Cooper narrowly edged out Ruff for coach of the year. Cooper led the Lightning to a 50-26-6 record (106 points), three points in back of Ruff’s Sabres.
Cooper received 36 of 99 first place votes, while Ruff received 26, and Pittsburgh’s Dan Muse 18. The criticism of the choice of Cooper, in Buffalo in particular, comes from the perception that his victory was more of a career achievement award for a two-time Stanley Cup winner that had never won coach of the year, while Ruff, who won the Jack Adams with the Sabres in 2005-06, lost out to a coach that he bested by three points in the standings.
There is no doubt that Ruff exceeded expectations more than any other coach in the league, as the Sabres were expected to miss the playoffs for a 15th straight season and was something that seemed likely through the first two months of the regular season. Buffalo’s turnaround, which coincided with the firing of GM Kevyn Adams, started with a 10-game winning streak and resulted in the Sabres posting the league’s best record after December 9.
Can someone make this make sense? Schopp is looking for answers on how the voters decided to go with Cooper over Ruff. #Sabres#NHLpic.twitter.com/UfRgU4ROWh
The perception that Cooper’s win is based more on career achievement than a deserving victory is not accurate. Other than the injury to Josh Norris that kept the Sabres center out two months, and a series of short-term ailments to Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon, and Colten Ellis in goal, the Sabres were relatively healthy all season, but that is not to take away from Ruff instilling a work ethic and defensive responsibility from a club that had not shown that under Don Granato.
That is in stark contrast to the Lightning, who may not have led the league in the quantity of man-games lost, but arguably led in quality man-games lost. Two of Tampa Bay’s veteran blueliners; Ryan McDonagh and Victor Hedman, played less than 50 games. Another top-four defender, Erik Cernak missed 21 games. Up front, Brandon Hagel, Anthony Cirelli, Nick Paul and Brayden Point missed significant chunks of the season, with some playing injured down the stretch.
Cooper pieced together a roster on many nights, filling the gaps with free agent unknowns like Charle-Edouard D’Astous and Dominic James, minor-league call-ups Gage Goncalves and Max Crozier, and coaxing career years out of defenseman J-J Moser, and journeyman Darren Raddysh.
While arguments can be made that Ruff was cheated out of the award since nearly one-third of the voters left them off their ballot completely, Cooper was left off more ballots and won on the strength of more first place votes.
Former Florida Panthers AHL goaltending coach Sylvain Rodrigue has been hired by the Minnesota Wild.
Rodrigue will serve as the goaltending coach for both the Wild’s NHL team and their AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild. Rodrigue will also assist in amateur and professional player evaluation and work with drafted and signed goaltenders in a developmental capacity.
The 52-year-old had spent the past two seasons working with the Charlotte Checkers as the goaltending coach. He worked in close contact with young netminders like Cooper Black and Kirill Gerasimyuk, both of whom had strong 2025-26 campaigns.
Prior to working with the Panthers, Rodrigue spent 11 seasons working in various goaltending roles with the Edmonton Oilers. He served as the goaltending coach at the NHL and AHL levels, while also serving as a goaltending consultant and development coach.
Dating even further back, Rodrigue was a goaltending coach in Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, and in the QMJHL.
Although the Montreal, Que., native never played in the NHL, he did play four seasons in the QMJHL, where he recorded an .863 save percentage and a 4.38 goals-against average.
Joining the Wild, Rodrigue will now have the opportunity to work closely with Jesper Wallstedt and Filip Gustavsson, two of the top goaltenders last season. While there are some reports that one of the backstoppers could be on the move this off-season, he’ll still have plenty of talent to work with.
In the AHL, Rodrigue will work with Samuel Hlavaj, a top performer at multiple international events with Team Slovakia.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
On Thursday, the USHL announced plans to partner with stakeholders, including the NHL and USA Hockey, to establish member clubs in California, Arizona, and Nevada, marking the league's first major expansion into the western United States.
Los Angeles Kings President Luc Robitaille on what USHL expansion means for the future of player development in the West.
"This will create a whole new competitive layer to the western region that will allow junior-level players to develop and compete closer to home," Robitaille said Thursday morning.
THE USHL IS HEADED WEST! More opportunity. More access. More pathways for the next generation of players.
"This expansion is about more than adding teams. It is about expanding opportunity." — USHL President and Commissioner Glenn Hefferan
The USHL currently operates 16 teams, all in Midwestern markets, and is now considering expanding to 19 franchises, moving beyond its traditional Midwestern footprint.
Thursday's announcement brings major excitement for junior players, who will increase their chances of making it to the NHL, providing the right opportunities and mentorship to play in their home country.
More details regarding club ownership, markets, and timelines for when the teams will begin play will be announced on June 24.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
Sylvain Rodrigue was hired by the Wild on Monday as the Director of Goaltending.
Rodrigue, 52, will work with the organization's goalie coaches in both the NHL and American Hockey League (AHL) while assisting in amateur and professional player evaluation and working with drafted and signed goaltenders in a development capacity.
He joins the Wild after most recently working two seasons (2024-26) in the Florida Panthers organization as a goaltending coach for the Charlotte Checkers (AHL).
The native of Montreal, Quebec, Rodrigue previously spent 11 seasons (2013-24) holding various roles within the Oilers organization, including goaltending consultant, goaltending development coach, and assistant goaltending coach, as well as serving as goaltending coach for the Bakersfield Condors, the team's AHL affiliate.
He played four seasons in the QMJHL and recorded a 4.38 goals-against average (GAA) and a .863 save percentage (SV%) in 167 career games.
In the last two seasons, the Wild rank first in the NHL in save percentage. Under Rodrigue, the Panthers rank 27th.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.
NEW YORK (AP) — Minnesota Wild forward Marcus Foligno has received this season's King Clancy Memorial Trophy for leadership and service, the NHL announced Thursday.
The award is presented annually to the player who “best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community,” according to the league's qualifications.
Each team nominates a player for the award, which is determined by a selection committee headed by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and including former King Clancy Memorial Trophy winners. Clancy, the namesake of the award, was a longtime player, referee, coach and manager who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1958.
Foligno was recently presented the trophy in a surprise appearance at the Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota by his older brother and current teammate, Nick Foligno, who won it himself in 2017. They established the Janis Foligno Foundation in memory of their mother, who died of breast cancer in 2009, and have been active in fundraising for breast cancer research.
The NHL will donate $25,000 to the foundation as part of the award to Foligno, who last month finished his 15th season in the league, including the last nine with Minnesota. He played his first six years for Buffalo.
Previous Wild players to win the award were defenseman Matt Dumba (2020) and forward Jason Zucker (2019).
At 32, Tomas Hertl knows there won't be that many more chances at a Stanley Cup.
Thus, he's making the most of his second chance.
Hertl hasn't stopped thinking about hoisting Lord Stanley's Cup since the first time he made it to Final.
That was in 2016, when the San Jose Sharks won the Western Conference but lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Cup Final.
And for Hertl, it was even more of a disappointment since his time was cut short in the series due to an injury.
The following year the Sharks lost to the Golden Knights in the Western Conference Final in six games, then it was another trip to the conference final and a loss to the St. Louis Blues.
Last season, in his first playoff run with the Golden Knights, it was another exit from the conference final, as the Edmonton Oilers ended things.
Hertl said after his game-winning goal in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, he's making the most of his second-chance opportunity.
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) June 3, 2026
"Obviously, you don't waste it," he said on the postgame broadcast. "It's still a lot of game(s) left, (but) it's a great start (to) the series."
After a wild back-and-forth affair on Tuesday, it was Hertl's shot from the slot that put Vegas ahead late in the third period.
The Golden Knights' 5-4 win marked the first time in 56 games that a road team that trailed by multiple goals in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final came back to steal the win.
"It was awesome," Hertl said. "The building buzzing. Obviously, we didn't have the greatest start, but it's kind of been our story all season, but we never give up.
"We just a team, it doesn't matter, we up or down, we just keep playing. We come strong in the second and the third and turn it around and big win in the first game."
After failing to score in 29 straight games, 20 in the regular season and nine in the playoffs, the 32-year-old from Czechia has four goals in the team's last eight games, two of them being game-winners in comeback victories.
"I haven’t coached him for long, and a lot of those games weren’t that good," Golden Knights coach John Tortorella said. "I think he’s grown. He never stopped working. I thought there were some major struggles in his game, but he never stopped working at his game.
"It’s just great timing, just to try to balance our lineup. He has given us some very important minutes."
"It's been our story all season, we never give up." 👏
Hertl knows how important everyone's role is, with so much at stake, which is why he's tried to stay focused with the task at hand.
That included Tuesday night pregame, when the Stanley Cup was brough onto the ice, and he avoided looking at it.
"I try to put head down and don't think about it because it's ultimate goal and chasing for a long time," Hertl said. "I have second shot in my career."
PHOTO CAPTION
Vegas Golden Knights center Tomas Hertl (48) celebrates scoring during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center.
The annual NHL draft combine is underway in Buffalo this week, featuring some of the future stars we'll see in the NHL.
NHL teams will get official measurements of plenty of 2026 draft-eligible players, such as Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg, Chase Reid, Caleb Malhorta and Keaton Verhoeff, and will also have the opportunity to speak with them and see them participate in physical tests.
The scouting combine takes place at the KeyBank Center and LECOM HarborCenter. The NHL draft, which is set for June 26 and 27, will also take place in Buffalo.
NHL Draft Combine Schedule
Throughout the week, team management staff and scouts from around the NHL will have the opportunity to talk with prospects.
On Thursday and Friday, there are four fitness tests that happen, which are not open to the media: Y-balance, grip strength, isokinetic squat strength, and aerobic fitness.
On Friday, top prospects will be asked questions in media scrums during the afternoon.
Saturday is fitness testing day, followed by a media availability for all the participants. On top of measuring standing height and wingspan, Saturday's testing will evaluate musculoskeletal fitness and anaerobic fitness.
Welcome to the Gavin McKenna show!
The Hockey News' 2026 Draft Preview • Top 100 prospects • In-depth scouting reports • Feature stories on McKenna, Stenberg, Verhoeff, Carels and more!
Although many of the tests will still be run, there are some changes.
The pro agility test will remain, along with the bench press, pull-ups, horizontal jump, force plate vertical jump, grip strength, and the Wingate cycle ergometer test. The classic VO2 max aerobic tests will also be conducted.
The new tests that will be conducted in 2026 are the isokinetic squat test and the 10-meter sprint. This will allow teams to see how these players use their lower bodies during the test.
The isokinetic squat test will measure lower-body strength, as it requires the player to squat using specialized machinery that controls movement speed. As the player pushes against the machine, the equipment matches their force, maintaining a constant speed throughout the full range of motion. Controlling the speed allows the prospect to generate maximal force throughout the motion.
The 10-meter sprint will measure a player's acceleration and speed, as its short distance will force the players to push off hard from a standstill. Each player gets two tries with about a minute in between, and the faster time will be reported.
Although the combine can be a great indicator of the physical traits players have developed or lack, it's not the be-all and end-all.
In the past, Sam Bennett or Casey Mittelstadt failed to do a single pull-up at the combine, but both players have gone on to have long NHL careers. In other cases, we've seen players impress at the combine but fail to make the NHL.
Since 2015, the five players with the most pull-ups all took part in the 2022 scouting combine:
1. Jack Hughes (Los Angeles, 51st overall in 2022): 19 pull-ups
T-2. Lane Hutson (Montreal, 62nd in
’22): 18 pull-ups
T-2. Jake Karabela (Washington, 149th in ’22), 18 pull-ups
T-4. Julian Lutz (Arizona, 43rd in ’22), 17 pull-ups
T-4. Matthew Poitras (Boston, 54th in ’22), 17 pull-ups
Of that top five, only Hutson and Poitras have played NHL games so far, and the latter spent most of this season in the AHL. Hutson, meanwhile, has the third-most career points by players drafted in 2022, with 146 in 166 games. He also leads the class in career points per game among those who played at least five games, with 0.88.
In the agility test, we've seen outstanding times since results were published online in 2014, highlighted by Toronto Maple Leafs top prospect Easton Cowan. He set the combine record in 2023 with a time of 4.07 seconds. Anaheim Ducks prospect Stian Solberg ranks second with a time of 4.10.
The most recent record set was by Pittsburgh Penguins prospect William Horcoff in 2025. He set the record for the longest horizontal jump, at 124.80 inches.
Although most tests haven't been tracked online as long, the longest-standing combine record is Sean Farmer's 196.9-pound grip strength result in 1995.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free.
See more of The Hockey News on Google and save us as a preferred source.Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
