Category: NHL

Morgan Rielly’s long and distinguished chapter with the Toronto Maple Leafs may be approaching its final pages. Late Tuesday, TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reported that Rielly’s agent, J.P. Barry, has submitted a list of four Western-based teams the veteran defenseman would be willing to join in a trade. The list is fluid; Dreger noted it will be evaluated team-by-team and could expand based on fit and circumstances.

The 32-year-old Rielly, Toronto’s longest-tenured player after being selected fifth overall in the 2012 NHL Draft, carries a full no-move clause and four years remaining on the eight-year, $60-million extension he signed in October 2021. The deal carries a $7.5-million annual cap hit and runs through the 2029-30 season.

In the 2025-26 regular season, Rielly skated in 78 games and recorded 11 goals and 25 assists for 36 points while posting a minus-18 rating. It was a down year by his standards for a player long counted on for his elite skating, transitional play, and steady presence on the back end.

A Shift in Stance?

What makes Tuesday’s development noteworthy is the apparent change in posture. Rielly has historically been one of the organization’s most vocal supporters of staying in Toronto. Past trade speculation was routinely shut down, and he has spoken publicly about his desire to remain a Maple Leaf through multiple front-office regimes. Recent reporting, however, suggests the longest-serving Leaf has become more open to a move under the new front office led by general manager John Chayka.

Morgan Rielly’s agent J.P Barry has submitted a list of 4 Western based teams Rielly is willing to go to. This will be a team by team assessment and depending on the fit, there could be some flexibility to add teams to the list.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 24, 2026

The fact that Rielly’s agent provided a short list of Western destinations signals that conversations between the player and the organization have advanced beyond preliminary discussions. While no trade is imminent and the process remains in the early, exploratory stage, the move represents the clearest indication yet that Rielly and the Leafs are aligned on at least testing the market.

Contract Realities and Market Context

Any potential deal is complicated by the combination of Rielly’s age, recent production, and the $7.5-million cap hit. At 32, he is no longer the dynamic, high-minute driver he was in his prime, yet he remains a respected veteran who can still log significant even-strength minutes and contribute on the power play. Teams acquiring him would be taking on real money for a player whose underlying numbers and plus/minus have declined.

Western Conference clubs with cap flexibility or specific defensive needs, San Jose, Utah, Anaheim, and others frequently mentioned in speculation, could view Rielly as a short-term veteran addition who brings leadership and playoff experience. Because the list is limited to Western teams and remains subject to expansion only where fit exists, the Leafs’ options are narrower than they would be in a fully open market.

What Toronto Might Receive

Returns for a player in this situation are typically modest. Comparable recent deals involving veteran defensemen with similar cap hits and no-move protection have produced mid-round picks, prospects, or salary retention as sweeteners rather than blue-chip assets. The Leafs, under Chayka, appear willing to explore case-by-case offers rather than force a deadline deal. With the NHL Draft approaching, Toronto holds leverage to wait for the right partner rather than accept a lowball offer simply to move the contract.

Franchise Implications

For the Maple Leafs, trading Rielly would close a significant chapter. He has been a constant through the team’s transition from lottery participant to perennial contender and back again. His departure would accelerate the roster turnover already underway and free both cap space and a top-pairing role for younger or incoming defensemen. It would also send a clear signal about the new regime’s willingness to make difficult, asset-driven decisions even when they involve franchise icons.

For Rielly, the opportunity to join a Western team on a contending or rebuilding club could provide a fresh start and a chance to extend his career in a different environment. His willingness to engage in this process, after years of shutting down similar speculation, suggests he recognizes the current crossroads for both himself and the organization.

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The Brady Tkachuk trade was only the beginning; lots of trades of name players continue to roll around the league in the lead-up to the draft.

Meanwhile, the Islanders made a front-office move that I will take some getting used to, because I’m petty like that.

Islanders News

• The Islanders have drafted 13th overall twice before, to bipolar results. [Isles]
• Get ready to talk yourself into rooting Pascal Dupuis or, alternately, harshly judging his work as the ex-NHLer who is heavy with the Stench of Penguin has joined the Islanders front office as Director of Player Development. [Isles]
• Here’s the Isles draft hub, where you can remind yourself that the second of their five picks isn’t until the fourth round. [Isles]

Elsewhere

• Holy cow, Bowen Byram got his trade wish and was sent to {gulp} Chicago for the 4th overall pick. Also exchanged were a 2nd-rounder and Jordan Greenway. [NHL]
• The Senators sent their 9th overall pick to San Jose for William Eklund. [Sportsnet]
• The Flames acquired Simon Nemec (and Max Tsyplakov!) for top-10-protected first-round picks in 2027 and 2028. [TSN]
• The Blues traded Jordan Kyrou to the Capitals for a good haul, no-longer-so-young forward Connor McMichael, prospect Milton “stapler” Gaston and the 16th overall pick. Kyrou, who has five years left on a deal with a $8.125 million AAV, had become a whipping boy among fans (I was one holding said whip) and was healthy scratched by a succession of coaches, but hopefully he thrives with a fresh start under Spencer Carbery. [NHL]
  • (A Blues beatwriter did mention at one point that Kyrou might be open to a trade to Long Island, alas the Lighthouse Hockey manager was not open to such a move. But still: we’re not on EVERYone’s no-trade list!)
• Morgan Rielly [sic] has submitted a list of teams he’d OK a trade to, including four Western teams. [TSN]
• TSN insiders riff on these topics and more. [TSN]
• The Faustian Oilers say they are willing to do whatever Mike Babcock says to win. Good luck, guys! Whenever I think the Islanders franchise is paying a long-term debt for their ’80s success I look at Edmonton and think…yeah, that theory may have legs. [NHL]
• Babcock chose his introductory press conference to indirectly defend how he treated Mike Modano at the end of his career, ’cause he’s one class act. To borrow from Radiohead’s Exit Music: “We hope…that you choke.” [NHL]
• From the Mind of Mirtle: “NHL’s Canada-to-U.S. Talent Drain Starting to be a Problem for the League.” (Yeah…like how Dylan Larkin wants out of…Detroit and Jack Eichel wanted out of…Buffalo, and John Tavares wanted out of Long Island.) [Athletic]
• This should help: NHL enters a “term sheet” with the owner of Everton and Roma to explore NHL expansion in Texas — either Houston or Austin. [NHL | Athletic]

The Chicago Blackhawks may have found the cornerstone of their blue line — and it's a player Colorado Avalanche fans know well.

On Tuesday, the Blackhawks acquired defenseman Bowen Byram and forward Jordan Greenway from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for the fourth overall pick, the 45th overall selection in Friday's NHL Draft, and defenseman Louis Crevier.

For Chicago, the deal is about far more than adding another defenseman. It's a bet that Byram can finally become the top-pairing force many envisioned when the Avalanche selected him fourth overall in the 2019 NHL Draft.

Now 24, Byram arrives in Chicago with both pedigree and experience. A key contributor to Colorado’s 2022 Stanley Cup championship team, he has steadily evolved into one of the NHL’s more dynamic puck-moving defensemen. Last season, he set career highs with 11 goals and 42 points while appearing in all 82 games for Buffalo.

That durability stood in stark contrast to his early years in Colorado. Across four seasons with the Avalanche, Byram was repeatedly sidelined by injuries — including concussion issues — and never played more than 55 games in a single campaign. He missed significant time in each of those seasons, with availability often interrupting his development path.

His path to Chicago has hardly been straightforward.

In Colorado, opportunities were limited by an already-loaded defensive corps that featured future Hall of Fame-caliber talent in Cale Makar alongside Devon Toews, Samuel Girard, and Josh Manson. Despite showing flashes of top-pair potential, Byram became a valuable trade asset, and the Avalanche dealt him to Buffalo during the 2023-24 season.

With the Sabres, Byram joined a young defensive group headlined by former No. 1 overall picks Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. Alongside Mattias Samuelsson, the quartet played an important role in helping Buffalo finally snap its 14-year playoff drought last season.

While Byram established himself as a reliable top-four option, Buffalo faced difficult decisions elsewhere on its roster.

The Sabres entered the offseason needing financial flexibility with several contracts looming. Veteran forward Alex Tuch is among six pending unrestricted free agents, while restricted free agents Zach Benson and Peyton Krebs also require new deals.

According to multiple sources who spoke with The Hockey News, there is believed to be more than a 95 percent chance that Tuch will not return next season, a development that would further reshape Buffalo’s forward group as it navigates an increasingly tight roster and cap structure.

By moving Byram's $6.25 million cap hit and Greenway's $4 million salary — both entering the final years of their contracts — Buffalo significantly increased its financial flexibility. The move also gives the Sabres additional draft capital, including two first-round selections and a second-round pick this week.

For Chicago, however, this trade signals something larger.

The Blackhawks have spent the past several years stockpiling draft picks as part of their rebuild, making the decision to part with the fourth overall selection a notable shift in strategy. Rather than waiting for another prospect to develop, Chicago targeted a player who is already entering his prime years.

Byram joins a growing young core that includes Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, Kevin Korchinski, Wyatt Kaiser, Artyom Levshunov, Oliver Moore, Spencer Knight, and Alex Vlasic.

The Blackhawks finished last season near the bottom of the NHL in both defensive play and offensive production. Adding a defenseman capable of driving play, creating offense from the back end, and handling significant minutes addresses one of their most pressing needs.

Whether Byram ultimately develops into the No. 1 defenseman Chicago believes he can be remains to be seen.

But after years of waiting behind one of hockey's deepest blue lines in Colorado and navigating a crowded defensive group in Buffalo, he'll finally get an opportunity that has largely eluded him throughout his NHL career: the chance to prove he's a top-line defenseman. 

Are you not entertained?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chicago Blackhawks trade grade: C-

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

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

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

Buffalo Sabres trade grade: A-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Other Sabres Stories

Sabres Emotionally Devastated By Game 7 Overtime Loss

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

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

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

Follow Michael on X, Instagram @MikeInBuffalo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay up to date on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

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

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

The conditional picks are top 10 protected. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3. Vancouver Canucks - Ivar Stenberg, LW, Frolunda

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

4. Chicago Blackhawks - Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford

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

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

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

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

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

7. Seattle Kraken - Alberts Smits, D, Jukurit

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The NHL offseason has heated up in a big way.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Coming this September. ⏳

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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