The Carolina Hurricanes are fresh off becoming Stanley Cup champions, yet the work to improve stops for no one.
The Canes have just three players left currently on expiring deals and one such player is rookie defenseman Alexander Nikishin.
Nikishin had a strong rookie season from an offensive standpoint, putting up 11 goals and 33 points in 81 regular season games, but had his struggles, especially in his first NHL postseason.
The young defenseman had difficulties with defending, often getting tunnel visioned on one threat and either being too aggressive in the neutral zone or losing a player in a dangerous position.
Rod Brind'Amour also talked multiple times about Nikishin's struggles with keeping a consistent intensity throughout his shifts and that was something that came up throughout the year.
But again, he's got one of the best shots on the team and has a really good feel for the offensive side of the game.
It was his first year playing in North America and I think there's still a ton of talent there to bet on, especially being that the Hurricanes don't have a defenseman like him in the system.
The 24-year-old Russian blueliner, who is an upcoming RFA, is supposedly looking for a big payday though from his first true contract according to Darren Dreger and the Canes are reportedly not too ecstatic to pay his asking price.
Dreger also stated that Nikishin wasn't happy with his role on the team, being a third pairing defenseman and being in and out of the power play rotation.
While price may be a sticking point for a deal in Carolina, the Hurricanes have been taking calls on Nikishin and reportedly offered him as part of a package for Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck according to Frank Seravalli.
The U.S. gold medalist has five years remaining on his deal and has long been considered one of the NHL's best goaltenders with three Vezina Trophies and even a Hart.
The NHL draft kicks off on Friday and we all know that's the time when deals get done, so time will tell where these negotiations go.
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BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JUNE 26: Gavin McKenna arrives for Day One of the 2026 NHL Draft at KeyBank Center on June 26, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
The 2026 NHL Draft comes to us from Buffalo on Friday night for one of the biggest nights in hockey. It’s an opportunity for teams to find their stars of the future, and always rewards the organizations who have invested resources into their scouting departments, while identifying the most-talented scouts along the way.
Unlike any other major sport, the NHL Draft boasts selections across five-plus nations, two continents, and trying to mesh all that together with being able to successfully project who can transition to the NHL after playing under different rules. All we know about this draft is that LW Gavin McKenna will likely be the No. 1 overall pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and from there it could be anarchy.
One thing to watch is how many veteran players could be dealt tonight. Mammoth names like Connor Hellebuyck, Dylan Larkin, and Zach Werenski are potentially finding new homes — and that adds a lot of intrigue to a class that is already deep on talent.
We’re following the first round live to grade this year’s picks.
No. 1: Toronto Maple Leafs — Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State
Grade: A
The Leafs didn’t overthink this process and got the most dynamic skater in this class. A selfless wing, McKenna has an incredible eye for passing and a gift for setting his teammates up for success. A fluid skater who is light on his feet, McKenna does need to add some muscle to his frame to be more of a force against agressive defenders, and there’s work on the forecheck to be done — but the stage is set for McKenna to be an impact player as soon as he arrives in the NHL.
No. 2: San Jose Sharks — Ivar Stenberg, LW/RW, Frölunda HC
Grade: A
I had the best player in this draft as a total toss-up between McKenna and Stenberg. An exacting, heady player — Stenberg is an elite skater with a ludicrous change-of-pace and an array of moves on the breakaway. While Stenberg might not have the upside of McKenna, his floor is much, much higher.
Immediately, he will slot in with Macklin Celebrini and really push this team to the next level, but there’s also real potential that Stenberg can develop into a center at the NHL level. If that happens, it really could give San Jose a center pairing like the Oilers have with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
No. 3: Vancouver Canucks — Caleb Malholtra, C, Brantford Bulldogs
Grade: B-
I don’t hate the pick, but this is going to raise so many questions about whether this was a nepo pick. He’s a grinding center who works well in short spaces, very good at getting tip-ins, as well as controlling rebounds. The biggest issue here is that I think Chase Reid is a far superior prospect, and I can’t help but question if the Canucks had the blinders on to lock in the coach’s son. The either locked in too much on getting a center, or locked in too much on Malhotra. I think he’s going to be a very good NHL player, but Reid’s NHL career could come back to haunt them.
No. 4: Buffalo Sabres — Daxon Rudolph, D, Prince Albert Raiders
Grade: C
Nah. I don’t like this choice at all. I understand that this was essentially a free pick after the Bowen Byram trade, I understand that Chase Reid’s player comp was too much like Rasmus Dahlin — but I don’t care. Rudolph was a mammoth late-riser in the draft, which scares me. This is less about the player Rudolph is, because it’s going to be a solid offensive defenseman, but the Sabres decided to miss out on some elite, elite talents to roll the dice.
No. 5: New York Rangers — Albert Smits, D, Jukurit
Grade: C-
ANOTHER defensive reach in a row. This was a trait-based pick from a team wanting size and physicality over skill. Smits is a stay-at-home defenseman who won’t add much on offense, doesn’t do anything elite, and the best you can say is that “he’s tough.” They had the best defenseman sitting in their laps, and decided to go in another direction. I just do not understand the decision-making here.
No. 6: Calgary Flames — Carson Carels, D, Prince George Cougars
Grade: B-
Carels was a player the Flames had targeted this draft, and they got their guy. He’s a good player, he isn’t being taken too high — and that’s more or less where the praise ends. At some point you need to be able to pivot as a front office is there’s just too much value on the board, and Reid was right there for them. It’s clear they invested a lot in scouting Carels, which caused this pick to happen, but again we have a team too locked in on their own decision to see the forest for the trees.
No. 7: Seattle Kraken — Chase Reid, D, Soo Greyhounds
Grade: A+
Easiest pick in this draft, and kudos to the Kraken for taking advantage of the idiots in front of them. Reid is the best defender in this draft by a significant margin, with offensive skills that could make him Cale Makar-esque when he reaches the next level. Reid has shown elite stick skills, a gift for clogging lanes, and a player who can essentially become an extension of the offense when crossing into the zone. This is a franchise moment for the Kraken, and they needed a break. Pinch yourselves, Kraken fans, because this is somehow real.
No. 8: Winnipeg Jets — Viggo Björck, C, Djurgårdens IF
Grade: A
Really, really like this pick for the Jets with what they’re trying to do on offense. Björck is a little honey badger who loves out-working people on the ice and using his high IQ to make big plays around the net. He has the ability to play some pretty hockey, but also an absolute grinder who would have been a Top 3 pick if he was taller and built larger. The Hurricanes and Logan Stankoven showed that the only size that matters is heart, and Björck has that.
No. 9: San Jose Sharks — Keaton Verhoff, D, North Dakota
Grade: A+
I had Verhoff at No. 5 on my big board, so landing him here is stellar work to address the Sharks’ need on defense. At this point he’s ready to step into the NHL right now, or the Sharks could have him return to North Dakota for a season until they feel like the team is more prepared to take advantage of his skills. I really love this fit, along with the offensive talent San Jose has taken recently. Verhoff has a heavy shot that creates rebounds, and could make him a power-play quarterback as well. There’s some work to do on him defensively, but I think the skill is there.
I like Wyatt Cullen, but there’s a lot of banking on his development and pedigree here. I didn’t have Cullen going this highly in the draft, and at age 17 it’s going to be years before we see this pick come about. The vision is clear that Cullen will be ready to go as the Predators commence a rebuild, which isn’t a bad plan — but I don’t love gambling this much on upside. Cullen could be special with his skating and hockey IQ, or he could flame out.
No. 11: St. Louis Blues — Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston University
Grade: B+
Really like this pick by the Blues. I had Lawrence going earlier than this, making the pick for serious value. Lawrence is very young, and growing into his frame — but he showed a knack at Boston for weaving through defenders and making great plays on the net. An underrated passer who is still growing into his game, this is a good setup move for the future.
No. 12: New Jersey Devils — Alexander Command, C, Örebro HK U20
Grade: C
This is … a choice. Command is an intriguing player who makes an impact in every zone, but I really dislike the value here. I saw him going much later in the draft, and I think if you wanted an impact center then Mathis Preston or Oliver Suranto were on the board. This is a move that has more of an eye on the future, because we won’t see him for some time.
No. 13: New York Islanders — Malte Gustafsson, C, HV71 U20
Grade: B+
The Islanders are continuing to focus on the defense, and they got a good one here. Gustafsson is extremely tall and gifted at using his stick to clog the lanes and disrupt offense. He won’t bring much to the offensive side, but that’s fine with Matthew Schaefer being on the roster. Gustafsson is ready to come over and play right now, which is the right move where he can season in the NHL and get used to the game.
No. 14: Columbus Blue Jackets — Oscar Hemming, F, Boston College
Grade: B-
A tall, rangy wing that appeals to old-school hockey heads. This is a rare case where I think Hemming might be almost too tall for the NHL at 6-4 on the wing in a league that is embracing his smaller size. If this kid can return to Boston College, add to his frame more, and turn into more of a forechecking expert he can be a really nice piece for them, but I don’t know if Hemming projects to be a Top 6 forward.
The Ducks decided to move on from Mason McTavish and sent him to the Blues for this pick, which is a choice. Perhaps a change of scenery will be good for him, but he hasn’t lived up to expectations.
Really like this pick for the Ducks. Anaheim has enough offensive talent that they don’t need a guy in the mix immediately, meaning he can head to Michigan State where he’s committed and get some time in the NCAA. Klepov is a really smart skater off the puck with a knack for finding himself in the right place at the right time. I think this could be a very good long-term pick for them.
No. 16: St. Louis Blues — Maddon Dagenais, C, Québec Ramparts
Grade: C
Too early for Dagenais. The Blues seemingly wanted a young guy they could spend a long time developing, but they forced this process a little bit. I like his ability to deliver lightning wristers from the circle, but he’s a little slow-footed around the net. If he can get stick on puck it’s good, but against skilled defensemen I think he’s going to struggle.
The Los Angeles Kings decided to move back in the draft picking up the No. 19 pick, and the No. 83rd pick from Utah for this selection.
Big, powerful forward that likes to set the tone. I had Belchertz going to the Capitals at No. 18, considering how much he plays like Tom Wilson, and that makes the Mammoth trade up above them unsurprising. Really like the potential of this kid to get into the dirty parts of the ice, grind out the puck on the corners, and make plays in the slot with a quick shot. Think this is a really nice piece to their puzzle.
No. 18: Washington Capitals — Oliver Suvanto, C, Tappara
Grade: A
Love this kid. There is no planet where he should have been on the board at this point, which largely shows how far behind scouting remains in Finland for some organizations. Suvanto is only 17 years old and already towers at 6-3, 217 pounds. He’s NHL-ready immediately but could also spend another year or two overseas to season up his game and become very high-level player. There are folk stories about Survanto playing against current NHL players and giving them hell in Finland.
No. 19: Los Angeles Kings (via Mammoth) — Elton Hermansson, LW/RW MoDo Hockey
Grade: B+
A puck-dominant forward who loves to make plays. Hermansson’s game has the room to take another step if he can be developed as a passer, but at the very least he has the potential to step up and be an impact player. There are some questions about his development overseas and not making quite as a large a jump as people expected this past season, but there’s a lot to like here.
No. 20: Buffalo Sabres — Ilia Morozov, C, Miami (OH)
Grade: B+
Playing beyond his years, Morozov was the youngest player in NCAA hockey last season by playing at age 17. This pick is all about upside, but also the fact that Morozov never seemed out of place as he took on the challenge of playing a big role on a college team. He’s a really nice defensive forward who has work to do on his offensive game, but the floor is high enough that he could be a third line grinder at worst.
No. 21: San Jose Sharks (via Flyers) — Ryan Lin, D, Vancouver (WHL)
The Flyers traded three picks in this year’s draft to move up. They send No. 27, No. 62, and No. 120
Grade: A+
Absolute steal. I had Lin in the same defensive tier as Albert Smits and Daxon Rudolph, who both went in the top 5 in stunners. Too much is made of the fact that Lin is 5-11, 180 and he’ll make size-obsessed scouts regret their miss. A really unselfish player with fantastic vision, this is another stellar pick from the Sharks who are absolutely killing this draft. San Jose is going to be a force, and soon.
No. 22: Pittsburgh Penguins — Liam Ruck, F, Medicine Hat Tigers
Grade: A-
Going to be really interesting to see if the Penguins have plans to try and land both the Ruck brothers, because they more or less work as a package deal. Liam is a fantastic passer, finishing with 104 points this season in the WHL. The big question is whether or not these brothers can play separately, but I think this is part of a larger plan.
No. 23: Detroit Red Wings (via Mammoth) — J.P. Hurlbert, LW, Kamloops
Grade: B+
The Utah Mammoth traded this pick to Detroit for Sebastian Cossa
I like Hurlbert here. He’s an ideal-sized left wing with a balanced game and a knack for scoring. The Wings won’t need him to come up immediately after committing to Michigan next season, and I think he has a lot of potential to become a high-end forward. A very natural player who dominates without much exertion, he could become an even more special player if he becomes a grinder.
No. 24: Vancouver Canucks — Adam Novotny, LW, Peterborough
Grade: A+
Incredible value and an amazing pick for the Canucks. A fantastic forward who can get his shot off and has enough gravity to command attention and pass the puck off, Novotny can be a legitimate Top 6 forward and a culture builder in for the Canucks. Not only does Novotny do the big things well, but all the little things as well.
No. 25: Ottawa Senators — Jonas Lagerber Hoen, RW, Leksands
Grade: D
I have absolutely no idea what this team sees in this pick. There’s skill, sure — but the Senators acted like Langerber Hoen would have been a Top 3 pick who got injured and fell. Instead, he was a second-round prospect, got hurt, and was projected to the third round. There are definite puck skills, but the Sens weren’t in a position to take a risky swing like this when they need established, reliable talent.
No. 26: Montreal Canadiens (via Golden Knights) — Gleb Pugachov,RW, Nizhny Novgorod
Grade: C
The Golden Knights trade this pick to Montreal for the No. 28 pick, and a 3rd round pick in 2027
Interesting player who was projected as a high second-round pick. The Canadiens must have a clear vision, and the obvious one is that he will spend a long time in the KHL honing his game before making the jump, at which point Montreal will need an injection of talent. A smooth skater, with quick feet around the net, Pugachov works well as a complementary piece on a team, rather than a focal point.
No. 27: Philadelphia Flyers — Maxsim Sokolovskii, D, London
Grade: B-
You can’t teach size. Sokolovskii is a mammoth 6-7, 240 pounds who stays at home and eats a lot of space. He’s rangy with the stick and loves using his frame, but doesn’t always make the best decisions on the angles he takes to the puck, which sometimes causes him not to be able to use all of his power. That can be coached up, and I think he could become a menace.
No. 28: Anaheim Ducks (via Golden Knights) — Marcus Nordmark, LW, Djurgårdens IF U20
The Vegas Golden Knights trades No. 29, and No. 117 to move up to No. 28
Grade: A
The best player on the board, and I don’t hate that the Ducks moved up to get him. Nordmark is a sensible, skilled player who can be a really solid glue guy on a line. I don’t project him to be a superstar in his own right, but the Ducks have enough players to fill that role — meaning the connective tissue is what needed work. Really solid pick here with a chance to be a fan-favorite.
No. 29: Vegas Golden Knights — Juho Piiparinen, D. Tappara
Grade: A
A hard-checking, physical defenseman who really likes throwing his weight around. The NHL game is going to be much tougher, and that leads to some questions — but I do think he can step into the league in the next year or two, work from the third line, and become a contributor. There is also a big chance this player is part of a later deal, as Vegas is want to do.
No. 30: Calgary Flames — Jack Hextall, C, Youngstown
Grade: A
Really nice value here for the Flames. He’s a bruising center who loves to get physical on the forecheck with room to be able to add to his frame and hone his faceoff skills. Committed to Michigan State next season, Hextall has tremendous patience with the puck on his blade and often makes the right decision. Considering he still hasn’t been in an elite coaching environment, there’s a lot of room to grow.
The Nashville Predators sent the No. 42, and No. 57 picks to Carolina for No. 31
An extremely fast defenseman with a high IQ, he’s on the smaller side, but can be a guy who loves to put himself on an offensive player’s hip and be an absolute nuisance. I also love that Bleyl has some passing skills to back up his skating, which gives him even more value moving forward. At Michigan State he’ll hone his game and become NHL-ready.
No. 32: Ottawa Senators — Jaxon Cover, LW, London
Grade: B+
The best story in the draft, Cover is a roller hockey player who didn’t put on ice skates until a few years ago. The first player to be drafted with a Caribbean background, he is absolutely raw — but incredibly athletic with unparalleled upside. A heavy shot, light on his feet, and still developing. This is the kind of pick you make in the late first and see if you can find a gem.
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — The Flyers opened their 2026 NHL draft work Friday night by trading back in the first round and taking Maksim Sokolovskii at No. 27 overall.
They sent the 21st selection to the Sharks for pick Nos. 27, 62 and 120.
The 17-year-old Sokolovskii is a 6-foot-7, 240-pound defenseman who played for the London Knights. The lefty shot had eight points (two goals, six assists) and a plus-10 rating in 44 games this season. He had 23 shots and 49 penalty minutes.
The Flyers drafted two London products in 2023 with Oliver Bonk (first-rounder) and Denver Barkey (third-rounder). The Flyers have a lot of connections to the OHL club.
But good players can be found in the 20s. Claude Giroux, Simon Gagne, Travis Konecny and Tyson Foerster are some Flyers examples. With time and patience, the club will hope Sokolovskii becomes a hit.
Sokolovskii was the 22nd-best player in the draft on EliteProspects.com, but he was ranked down at No. 60 by TSN’s Craig Button. He was at No. 40 among North American skaters on NHL Central Scouting. He made a serious climb from his midterm mark of No. 132.
Sokolovskii has roots in Kazakhstan and Russia.
By taking Sokolovskii, the Flyers went with size and the long game. He’s a project of sorts. The Flyers ended up passing on defensemen Ryan Lin, Juho Piiparinen and Tommy Bleyl. Lin and Bleyl are smaller, point-producing guys, while Piiparinen is a mature, defense-first type.
The Flyers are now slated to make five picks on Day 2 of the draft Saturday. They have two second-rounders (Nos. 53 and 62), one fourth-rounder (No. 120), one fifth-rounder (No. 136) and one seventh-rounder (No. 213).
Some shots from the Flyers’ draft party at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. pic.twitter.com/Z4ZeRNv2nc
Editor’s note: Sheng Peng is a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.
BUFFALO — The Sharks, no doubt, were big winners during the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft on Friday.
We’ll see if it leads to be being big winners on the ice.
What did an NHL scout, not with the Sharks, think of the picks?
None of these picks were used to address next year’s Sharks’ most glaring need, their blue line, but Stenberg, Verhoeff and Lin all are excellent prospects. Verhoeff and Lin were strong value choices, where they were selected.
And of course, the draft is not about today, it’s about tomorrow. But it’s worth noting that the widely held belief is that the Sharks acquired the No. 9 pick from the Ottawa Senators, in exchange for young winger William Eklund, to try to deal for a young-but-experienced, high-impact NHL defenseman.
That deal didn’t materialize, though Sharks general manager Mike Grier admitted that San Jose took one offer for No. 2, which included an established NHL player coming back to the Sharks, under “strong consideration”.
Anyway, 20-something, high-impact blueliners don’t grow on trees, so if you can’t find the right trade, drafting at Nos. 2 or 9 or 21 is no small consolation prize.
The scout raved about Stenberg, “He’s a complete player.”
To that point, while the 5-foot-11 winger is considered a future point-per-game scorer.
“You also appreciate his ability to work under pucks and play on both sides,” Sharks director of amateur scouting Chris Morehouse emphasized. “He’s a dynamic offensive player, but he’s got that hard competitive skill that you’re always looking for.”
Grier said Stenberg was the No. 1 player on the Sharks’ board, ahead of winger Gavin McKenna, who went No. 1 overall to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“Celebrini and Stenberg are going to be a terror for many years to come,” the scout said. “Talking in a world where need isn’t considered for San Jose, he’s an awesome pick.”
Stenberg is thought by many to be NHL-ready, and maybe one reason why the Sharks deemed popular winger Eklund expendable.
There was a lot of thought that the Sharks would go for a defenseman at No. 2 — Daxon Rudolph was the surprise first defenseman off the board at No. 4 to the Buffalo Sabres, while Chase Reid was a betting favorite for a while — but the Sharks, as they always said they would, went with their “best player available.”
“We didn’t pay attention to all the writers saying we should take a D,” Morehouse said, joking but not joking.
San Jose did address its organizational need on defense, at least in the future, with their next two picks.
Six-foot-4 right-hander Verhoeff had a fascinating campaign, entering the season as consensus No. 1 defenseman in the draft and ending up as the fifth blueliner off the board — still a tremendous feat.
Grier said the Sharks were entertaining trade offers until No. 7, when it was clear to them that Verhoeff would drop to No. 9.
“All things go right, you’re looking at a first-pair defensive anchor and first PK,” the scout opined.
“He’ll be more defensive-leaning,” the scout added. “Maybe not as much of an offensive sense? That showed up in college with more structure and tighter checking.”
Of course, the University of North Dakota defenseman deserves a lot of credit for playing in the NCAA as a 17-year-old, testing himself against older-than-junior players.
Sharks director of player personnel Scott Fitzgerald said the plan at the moment is for Verhoeff to return for more seasoning with North Dakota.
The Sharks showed how much they liked right-hander Lin, trading Nos. 27, 62, and 120 picks to the Philadelphia Flyers for the No. 21 pick.
“That’s a great swing to take Lin there,” the scout said. “He’s an excellent all-around defenseman, who just happens to be small.”
It doesn’t sound like Lin is projected to run a first-unit power play at the highest level, but like Stenberg, he’s a highly competitive smaller player who’s expected to make a significant two-way impact.
In one night, Grier blew up the narrative that he’s a size-obsessed GM, which was the thought of some, despite premium picks used on smaller talents like Will Smith and Leo Sahlin-Wallenius in previous years.
“Hard competitive skill” is the buzz phrase for all three of the Sharks’ first-round picks, including the smaller Stenberg and Lin.
“It’s something when you watch Carolina, they have some smaller guys, but they’re all competitive,” Grier said of this year’s Stanley Cup winner. “It’s a trait that goes back through the years, and in this league, if you’re a smaller guy and you want to have success, you better be competitive, and both these kids are.”
It’s a franchise-defining opportunity. A player chosen in the top 10 is expected to become a foundational piece, and Calgary is hoping its first selection helps accelerate the organization’s ongoing development.
But inside the Flames’ draft room, the focus extends far beyond the opening round.
General manager Craig Conroy knows as well as anyone that every selection carries value, regardless of where it falls.
“You just never know,” said Conroy. “We got Johnny Gaudreau in the fourth round… Dustin Wolf in the seventh. Each pick is important.”
For Calgary’s scouting staff, those success stories serve as reminders that the draft isn’t won solely on Day 1. Countless hours are spent evaluating players, debating projections and searching for overlooked talent that could develop into NHL contributors years down the road.
Conroy emphasized that every prospect selected should represent more than simply adding another name to the system.
“You want to put that Flaming ‘C’ jersey on them and be proud of that,” he told FlamesTV.
Few examples illustrate that philosophy better than Johnny Gaudreau.
Selected 104th overall in the fourth round of the 2011 NHL Draft, Gaudreau was considered too small by many teams despite his elite offensive skill. The Flames looked beyond his size and bet on his talent, a decision that paid off in spectacular fashion.
More recently, Calgary struck gold again with Dustin Wolf.
Taken 214th overall in the seventh round of the 2019 draft, Wolf faced many of the same concerns that followed Gaudreau throughout his draft year. Questions about his size caused teams to pass, but his production and competitiveness told a different story.
Since then, Wolf has developed into one of the NHL’s top young goaltenders. After dominating at every level, he has emerged as both the Flames’ goaltender of the future and an integral part of the club’s present, validating Calgary’s willingness to trust its scouting staff over conventional wisdom.
Those two success stories are reminders that draft position doesn’t always determine NHL impact.
"We really feel this is going to be a draft that changes the trajectory of the team."#Flames GM Craig Conroy sounds off on the work put in and focus headed into the #NHLDraft! pic.twitter.com/wvvWqkGFR3
Every year, stars emerge from unexpected places. For organizations that scout well and remain committed to their evaluations, the later rounds can be just as important as the first.
That’s why Calgary’s draft table will remain just as engaged when the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds begin.
For the Pittsburgh Penguins, there is a lot of intrigue surrounding this draft, even if they currently only possess five picks in this year's draft as opposed to the 13 they had last year. Trade chatter has been swirling around them, as they are rumored to be one of the teams interested in Dallas Stars superstar left wing Jason Robertson. There are also rumors that Pittsburgh is trying to move up in the draft from their 22nd overall selection, as they are rumored to be interested in Swedish center Viggo Bjorck.
As of now, the Penguins' draft board looks like this:
Again, a whole lot can change between now and 7:00 p.m. ET, when the draft is set to begin. As of now, the Toronto Maple Leafs will select first - presumably, to select consensus first overall pick Gavin McKenna - followed by the San Jose Sharks at two, the Vancouver Canucks at three, the Buffalo Sabres at four courtesy of the Bowen Byram trade with the Chicago Blackhawks, and the New York Rangers at five.
The Penguins certainly have some tradeable assets they can use to acquire a better pick - Rickard Rakell, Bryan Rust, and Erik Karlsson come to mind - but there should also be some pretty good players available in their range as-is.
With that, what will they decide to do? Will they trade up to the top-10 for a more premium prospect? Trade up as needed? Will they stand pat? Will they trade down to garner more picks in the 30s and 40s, perhaps by striking a deal with a team like the Calgary Flames, who pick three times in the 30s? Will they trade their 22nd overall pick altogether for an NHL player?
With the 22nd overall pick, the Pittsburgh Penguins select… LW J.P. Hurlbert of the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers.
I went back and forth on this but ultimately landed on Hurlbert because of the familiarity (Penguins' prospect Harrison Brunicke also played for Kamloops this past season), and he fits the mold of past Kyle Dubas/Wes Clark picks.
Hurlbert has excellent hockey IQ and an underrated ability to forecheck. He can also go 1-on-1 against defenders and is tough to knock the puck off of. He can really rifle the puck and knows where to pick holes in each goaltender he faces. Don’t forget about his vision, either. He can anticipate a player being in a certain spot on the ice before he’s there.
If the Penguins select at 22, my pick would be forward Adam Novotny. I quite like Novotny, as he has a pretty high floor and is the type of hybrid power forward-type player and relentless workhorse the Penguins love.
However, I do think they're going to move up in this draft - just not the way many folks think. Moving up into the top-10 - and, even, closer to the top-five - to be in Bjorck range is simply going to cost more than the Penguins should pay for a "maybe." They desperately need blue line talent in their system as much as they need center depth.
As discussed on our Pucks N'at Podcast with Jesse Marshall on Friday, Lin could be a sleeper to fall a few spots in the draft just depending on how much teams will value centers as well as the blueliners set to be selected ahead of him. If he falls to 15, the St. Louis Blues are set to pick at 15 and 16 and may be willing to negotiate a trade down to 22 if the Penguins offer one of their second-round picks, and perhaps, a sweetener, if necessary.
Lin is a legitimate two-way defenseman already, and he plays a mature game for his age. He has all the offensive tools to be excellent in transition at the NHL level, and he already defends well, too. According to Marshall, he's a more complete version of a promising young Penguins' defensive prospect in Harrison Brunicke, and there's even more room to grow.
I think Lin would be a fantastic add for the Penguins, and it would significantly bolster their blue line prospect pool. He's someone worth trading up for if he's still on the board within reason.
BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JUNE 25: Ivar Stenberg attends the 2026 NHL Draft Top Prospects Media Availability on June 25, 2026 at the New Era Cap World Headquarters in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Talk about the NHL Draft here, if you please!
Details-
When: 7:00pm eastern What: First round of the draft (Rounds 2-7 begin tomorrow at noon) How to watch: ESPN (tomorrow, NHL Network) Penguin pick: Currently 22nd overall, but they have a manager with a history of draft night trades
Draft day has arrived, and it represents one of the most important dates on the Calgary Flames’ calendar.
The Flames enter the 2026 NHL Entry Draft in an enviable position, with an abundance of draft capital and the chance to further accelerate the organization’s rebuild. With multiple selections in the opening rounds, Calgary has the flexibility to add high-end prospects, package picks to move up the draft board, or use those assets in trades for NHL-ready talent.
The club currently holds two first-round selections; sixth overall and 30th overall, the latter acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights, along with three second-round picks and additional selections throughout the draft.
That collection of picks gives general manager Craig Conroy several options as he looks to strengthen both the present and future of the franchise. Whether Calgary stands pat, moves around the draft board, or swings a trade, the decisions made over the next two days could play a significant role in shaping the next phase of the team’s retool.
For Conroy, however, the priority remains straightforward: select the best players available, regardless of where the Flames are picking.
“We’re looking for best player,” Conroy told FlamesTV. “We want to have the best player at each pick, but really, with all those picks we want to make sure - whether you’re the sixth overall pick or our last pick in the sixth round - we want to make sure the guys are ready and we want to be excited about the player we pick at that position.”
The Ottawa Senators announced on Friday afternoon that they have acquired goaltender Samuel Ersson from the Toronto Maple Leafs for their fifth-round selection in the 2027 NHL Draft.
The acquisition is an odd one.
Ten days ago, the Leafs sent goaltender Joseph Woll and defenceman Simon Benoit to the Philadelphia Flyers for defenceman Emil Andrae, Ersson, and a 2026 third-round pick.
The inclusion of Ersson in that deal was a head-scratcher, simply because the Leafs already had a ton of goaltending depth in the form of Dennis Hildeby and the Calder Cup-winning Artur Akhtyamov.
Considering that Ersson was coming off a two-year contract with an average annual value of $1.4 million, as an impending restricted free agent (RFA), he would need a qualifying offer of $1.6 million for the Maple Leafs to retain his rights.
While playing professionally over parts of five seasons across the AHL and NHL, Ersson has never recorded a season with a save percentage greater than .900. In 33 appearances with the Flyers this past season, the 26-year-old posted a 14-11-5 record, a 3.12 goals against average, and an .870 save percentage.
According to Evolving-Hockey’s model, Ersson’s -6.09 goals saved above expected (GSAx) was the fifth-lowest total in the league. In 2024-25, his GSAx of -22.09 was the league’s worst.
Using their ‘wins above replacement’ model, Ersson has been worth -3.3 wins over the course of his NHL career. Meaning, had he been replaced by a league-average goaltender over the same period, it would have benefited the Flyers by three wins. The only season in which he posted a positive GSAx was his rookie 2022-23 campaign.
Ersson is still relatively young at 26, but he has not performed well in North America. Albeit, his experiences in the NHL, with the exception of this season, came while playing in front of a porous Philadelphia Flyers team.
It is worth noting that Ersson is arbitration-eligible, but a player must still be qualified by a club to maintain his rights and take him to arbitration. Given his ineffectiveness and the relatively high cost to qualify him as a RFA, there were rumours that the Maple Leafs were not going to qualify Ersson, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA).
The Maple Leafs obviously exhausted the market trying to trade Ersson’s rights, but the Senators must have had confidence that another team was close to acquiring his services. Otherwise, it doesn’t make sense to give up any assets for a player that they could have likely signed as an unrestricted free agent on July 1st.
On many levels, it would make sense for the organization to target Ersson as a young goaltender with NHL experience who could be called up from Belleville in the event that injuries or ineffectiveness beset other options, but on the surface, this feels like the Senators have tabbed Ersson as their backup.
There is simply no reason for Ersson to turn down his qualifying offer. Given his body of work, a $1.6 million one-way salary would be way too expensive as a luxury in Belleville.
It is a puzzling move given the team’s goaltenders' performance this past season.
Until Linus Ullmark returned from his leave of absence in late January, the Senators’ goaltending collectively let the organization down. Despite some of the best defensive metrics in the league, they had created a deficit in the standings that the team just barely overcame.
In his end-of-season media availability, general manager Steve Staios acknowledged that his greatest misstep was not insulating Ullmark with a veteran option, because of the pressure it put on him and rookie Leevi Merilainen. The addition of veteran James Reimer had a noticeable effect on the dressing room and on Ullmark, but Ersson has only 143 games of experience, and the performances have not been particularly inspiring.
In consideration of Ullmark’s mental health battles and the fact that he has never appeared in more than 50 games in a regular season, entrusting the backup duties to an unproven Ersson feels like a massive gamble with the Senators taking on a lot of risk.
In fairness to Staios, however, the free agent market is not exactly brimming with desirable options. And of the veteran goaltenders who are somewhat intriguing, like Stuart Skinner or Connor Ingram, they are not going to come cheaply.
It feels odd to hang hopes on the fact that goaltending is such a volatile position and that maybe there’s a reality where Ersson comes in and does a great job. But the organization obviously has some measure of familiarity and confidence in its ability to turn around Ersson’s game.
If anything, the acquisition may speak to the influence of the newly-hired director of goaltender development, Maciej Szwoch. There does not appear to be any overlap in the respective careers of Ersson and Szwoch from their time in the SHL. Szwoch worked as a goaltending coach for MODO and Färjestad BK, while Ersson played for Brynäs IF.
If Ersson can't turn it around, it could be one of those moves that gets heavily scrutinized in retrospect.
By Graeme Nichols The Hockey News
This article first appeared at The Hockey News/Ottawa, where you can read more articles at the links below:
The Boston Bruins have finally made a meaningful upgrade to their roster, and it’s come right before the 2026 NHL Draft is scheduled to start Friday night.
The B’s have acquired Utah Mammoth forward JJ Peterka in exchange for their 2026 first-round pick (No. 23 overall) and the Florida Panthers’ 2028 first-round pick, the team announced. If the Panthers pick lands in the top 10, the Bruins can keep it and instead send their unprotected 2029 first-rounder to the Mammoth.
It’s not a small price, but it’s not an overpay, either. The Panthers pick is expected to be a late first given the fact that Florida is a Stanley Cup contender. The B’s still have their own 2027 and 2028 first-round picks, plus the Toronto Maple Leafs’ first-rounder in 2027 or 2028.
Peterka had a somewhat disappointing 2025-26 season in Utah, but he still managed to score 25 goals with 22 assists while playing all 82 games.
He has actually scored 25-plus goals in three straight seasons. Peterka spent his previous four NHL seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, including a 68-point campaign (27 goals, 41 assists) in 2024-25.
The Bruins desperately needed to add more high-end skill and speed to their lineup over the offseason, and Peterka helps address both of these concerns. Peterka has the ability to be a consistent 30-plus goal scorer.
He’s only 24 years old and projects to be a top-six right wing for the foreseeable future. He’s especially dangerous off the rush, which is a skill set the Bruins need more of. They were not very dangerous in transition against the Buffalo Sabres during the first round of the 2026 playoffs.
In short, Peterka is the kind of player the Bruins should be betting on.
JJ Peterka, reportedly acquired by BOS, is a top six rushing winger with a great release, slick hands, and nice timing off the puck. Rounded his game out a bit this season but there might have been too many cooks for him to be as impactful offensively as in the past. pic.twitter.com/MYxku5vUjv
His current contract runs through the 2029-30 season with a salary cap hit of $7.7 million — a figure that will look cheap as the salary cap continues to rise.
The Bruins still need to upgrade the right side of their blue line this offseason, but this trade for Peterka is a good first step in bolstering the roster.
The Chicago Blackhawks were in line to buy out Andre Burakovsky this offseason. After a decent start to the first half of his 2025-26 season with the Chicago Blackhawks, he had just 4 points in his final 37 games.
In those 37 games, it wasn't like Burakovsky made up for it in other areas of the game either. There was a lot of turning the puck over and frustrating defensive plays.
Instead of being forced to eat some money and buy him out, however, the Blackhawks were able to find a trade partner in the Ottawa Senators. Burakovsky goes to Canada's capital in exchange for a 6th-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft. Chicago will not retain any of Burakovsky's contract.
It isn't a consequential draft pick, but Burakovsky's lackluster play for a $5.5 million cap hit is off the roster. That is a tremendous amount of flexibility added when it comes to cap space.
Burakovsky has a strong past of productive NHL play, and the Ottawa Senators are going to try to rekindle that for him. They just traded Brady Tkachuk earlier in the week, so they need forwards who can bring some offense, assuming Burakovsky (somewhat) gets back on track.
The fact that the Senators were willing to give up a draft pick on a risky player shows that it is a legitimate seller's market in the NHL right now. Teams are desperate to add on and are willing to overpay for it. More of that is on the way as draft weekend heats up.
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The Sharks made a big move with their third pick of the 2026 NHL Draft’s first round, trading up to No. 21 overall and selecting another Canadian defenseman, Ryan Lin of the Vancouver Giants.
San Jose certainly wanted Lin, sending Nos. 27, 62 and 120 to the Philadelphia Flyers to move up six spots and draft the 18-year-old. The mobile, right-shot defender grew up in Richmond, across the Fraser River from Vancouver, and posted 14 goals and 57 points in 53 games for the Giants this past season.
The Sharks originally acquired the 27th pick from the Buffalo Sabres, along with defenseman Michael Kesselring, in exchange for the No. 20 selection. Now they’ve utilized that trade to make another in search of talent that can help shore up their blue line.
To the delight of many, Sharks general manager Mike Grier got greedy in the first round, and San Jose certainly hopes it pays off.
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. 91-98 this season.
If you missed the previous edition of 'By the Numbers', you can click here to read it.
Leo Carlsson
Carlsson had a productive season in his third year in the league. He came one goal away from a 30-goal season and was second on the team with 67 points despite missing 12 games due to surgery to remove a Morel-Lavallée lesion on his thigh. If not for that, he likely would have reached 70 points and likely also reached the 80-point threshold.
His hot start to the season gave him early Hart Trophy consideration, as he put up 34 points in 25 games through the first two months of the season. December is when things started to take a downturn, around when the lesion became an issue for him. But once he returned following the Olympic break, he was firing on all cylinders again, putting up 15 points in 16 games in March.
Because he underwent surgery in mid-January, Carlsson was unable to compete for Sweden in the Winter Olympics. He had been named to the Olympic squad, but the recovery period (three to five weeks) put any chance of him competing to bed. Due to his pending RFA status, Carlsson also did not compete for Sweden in the IIHF World Championship this past May, after being part of last year's team.
Mar 30, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (91) reacts before the first overtime period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Griffin Hooper-Imagn Images
Now firmly established as the Ducks' No. 1 center, Carlsson––like many others on the team––got his first taste of the Stanley Cup Playoffs this past season. He had a strong first round against the Edmonton Oilers with eight points in six games. Things were a little more difficult against a stouter Vegas Golden Knights team in the second round, where he had three points in six games.
With another year of NHL experience under his belt, it's starting to feel like Carlsson is breaking through the surface as a true star in the league. His skating, which was noted to be an issue coming out of the draft, has now become one of his strengths, allowing him to burst past opponents and use his vision to set up teammates or pick a corner. When rush opportunities are stifled, he does still have trouble creating in those instances. But at 21, he is also learning how to combat those adjustments.
The expectation is that general manager Pat Verbeek will try to lock Carlsson down to a long-term deal this summer. He's established himself as the centerpiece of the Ducks' core and will likely be the next captain.
Roger McQueen
McQueen was one of the many young players who made the transition from the CHL to the NCAA this past season. In his freshman season with Providence, he had 27 points (11 goals) in 36 games and was named the Hockey East Rookie of the Year. He also earned a spot on the Hockey East All-Rookie Team.
It was slow going at first for McQueen, but once he picked up his first collegiate point, the wheels started turning. He was the top line center for Nate Leaman's team, which focused on having a strong defensive structure and a good forecheck. Perhaps that system isn't the most optimal for McQueen's playstyle, but it helped him become a stronger 200-foot player.
After his collegiate season concluded, McQueen signed an amateur tryout (ATO) with the San Diego Gulls in the AHL. He also signed his entry-level contract (ELC) with the Ducks, with the deal beginning in the 2026-27 season. He played in seven games for the Gulls and had three goals while serving as the team's second line center. He also got his first taste of the Calder Cup Playoffs, but failed to register a point in two games against a powerhouse Colorado Eagles team.
This fall, McQueen will compete for a spot on the NHL roster, much like Beckett Sennecke did last season. With how uncertain the future is for Mason McTavish and 34-year-old Mikael Granlund having just two years remaining on his deal, there may be an opportunity for McQueen to seize. Assistant general manager Martin Madden said that expectations for McQueen should be tempered going into next season, with this progression not quite at the point where Sennecke was going into last season. Nevertheless, McQueen is expected to have a large role next season, whether he is in the NHL or AHL.
Pavel Mintyukov
Mintyukov played the most games of his professional career in 2025-26, appearing in 73 of 82. He missed a few games towards the end of the regular season due to a lower-body injury, but returned and played in all 12 playoff games.
He began the season as part of the bottom defensive pair alongside Drew Helleson, with Jackson LaCombe and Olen Zellweger above him in the pecking order on the left side. Radko Gudas' early-season injury elevated Helleson to the top pair alongside LaCombe and inserted Ian Moore next to Mintyukov on the bottom pair.
The Mintyukov-Moore pairing showed promise, though the offensive upside that Mintyukov had displayed early into his career was not seen as frequently. Gudas' return rendered Mintyukov a healthy scratch for three consecutive games, which gave the Ducks' fanbase nightmares of last season's defensive carousel between Mintyukov and Zellweger.
Upon his return to the lineup, Mintyukov continued to be part of the bottom pair, whether it was with Helleson or Gudas. He received a pair of healthy scratches at separate points of the season, but otherwise was a regular in the lineup for the rest of the season.
May 14, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Pavel Mintyukov (98) controls the puck during the first period against the Vegas Golden Knights in game six of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
When John Carlson was acquired from the Washington Capitals in early March, he started out as Zellweger's defensive partner. But Mintyukov and Carlson quickly became a pairing that head coach Joel Quenneville relied on down the stretch, and that carried into the playoffs. While Mintyukov was touted as more of an offensive-focused player coming out of the draft, the switch has now flipped into more of a steady, defensive-minded player who is also capable of breaking out the puck offensively.
With Carlson hitting the open market, Mintyukov will have a new defensive partner next season. He himself is also a pending RFA and will likely receive a bridge deal. With Olen Zellweger dealt to the Buffalo Sabres on Friday morning, the left side of the Ducks' defense looks to be set for the 2026-27 season. Mintyukov and Zellweger had frequently been compared and had been competing for a regular spot in the lineup over the past couple of seasons, with neither able to gain a foothold. Removing Zellweger from the picture now gives Mintyukov ample opportunity to do so.
The Buffalo Sabres continued their string of transactions prior to hosting the NHL Draft on Friday night, acquiring defenseman Olen Zellweger from the Anaheim Ducks for minor leaguer Anton Wahlberg, and a 2026 second-round pick (45th overall). Zellweger, 22, is a restricted free agent after completing his entry-level deal with the Ducks.
Last season with Anaheim, he scored 22 points (7 goals, 15 assists) in 76 games and has played 164 NHL games over three seasons, but in the playoffs, the 5'10", 194 lb. blueliner played only three of the Ducks 12 games against Edmonton and Vegas.
We have acquired defenseman Olen Zellweger from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for forward Anton Wahlberg and the 45th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Wahlberg, the Sabres second round pick in 2023 and played two-plus seasons for the AHL Rochester Americans. The 6'4", 205 lb. forward scored only 21 goals in 140 AHL games, and never appeared to be making any offensive progress, but does have the size that could eventually lead him to the NHL.
The second-round pick was acquired from Chicago in the Bowen Byram deal earlier this week. Zellweger played for Canada in two World Junior Championships, and after four years in the WHL, split time between AHL San Diego and the Ducks. He is known as a good skater, who moves the puck well, and has solid offensive instincts, but with Jackson LaCombe and RFA Pavel Mintyukov on the left side, it is likely that GM Pat Verbeek was looking to move out the 22-year-old rather than use up significant cap space on his next contract.
Zellweger will likely be added to the mix with Conor Timmins, Louis Crevier, and Zach Metsa for a spot in the top four with Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, and Mattias Samuelsson next season.
The Senators appear to be back to an all-Swedish goaltending combo.
On Friday, in the lead-up to the NHL Draft, the Senators acquired goalie Samuel Ersson from the Toronto Maple Leafs. In return, Toronto gets Ottawa’s fifth-round draft selection in next year's NHL Draft.
Here's the catch, though. Ersson still needs a new contract. The 26-year-old will be a restricted free agent on July 1. He's coming off a two-year deal at $1.45 million a year.
Ersson spent each of the past four seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers and played a career-high 51 games in 2023-24. In 2025-26, Ersson appeared in 33 games for the Flyers, posting a 14-11-5 record with a 3.12 GAA.
The 6-foot-3 is regarded as one of Sweden's finest goaltenders, just like the man he'll be backing up.
Ersson represented his country at the 4 Nations Face-Off in a third-place finish. He also represented Sweden twice at the World Hockey Championship, winning bronze in 2024 and 2025. He played for Sweden at last year's worlds, even though Linus Ullmark expressed a desire to play at season's end.
The Sens goaltending was all-Swedish two seasons ago when Ullmark was backed up by Anton Forsberg, who has since moved on to Los Angeles in free agency. Last year, the backup duties were split between Leevi Merilainen and James Reimer.
The Ersson acquisition speaks volumes about how mightily Merilainen's stock has fallen. He was anointed as the undisputed backup last season, and the Sens clearly aren't ready yet to give him that opportunity again.
