The 2024-25 offseason for the Kings was a busy one, as they made 5 big signings last year to improve their roster: Joel Armia, Cody Ceci, Brian Dumoulin, Corey Perry, and Anton Forsberg. While Perry was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning at the trade deadline, the other 4 players remained with the team. But looking at Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin, their signings may not have been necessary had the Kings not traded away Jordan Spence and lost Vladislav Gavrikov to free agency. 

Jordan Spence 

Jordan Spence was traded to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a 2025 3rd-round pick and a 2026 6th-round pick. The reason Spence was traded was that He may not have been a top-6 defenseman for the Kings, especially given the Kings' focus on Brandt Clarke. Jordan Spence found himself on the outside looking in, which prompted his trade. 

Jordan Spence, in his first season with the Ottawa Senators, played in 73 games, scoring 7 goals, registering 24 assists for 31 points, while averaging 18 minutes of ice time. Near the end of the season, the Ottawa Senators were dealing with injuries throughout their defence, and Spence stepped up for them. In the playoffs, Spence played nearly 40 minutes, showing that he is more than capable of being a reliable defenseman. 

Vladislav Gavrikov 

The other defenseman the Kings lost was Valdislav Gavrikov, as he signed with the New York Rangers in free agency. The Kings wanted to keep Gavrikov and were interested in signing him to a long-term deal, but unfortunately, they were unable to, and he signed a 7-year, $49 million deal with the Rangers. 

In his first season with the Rangers, Gavrikov played in all 82 games, scoring a career-high 14 goals and tallying 21 assists for 35 points. While the Kings wanted to keep him for his ability to play on both the left and right sides, they were unable to retain him. 

Replacing Spence and Gavrikov

The Kings' losing both Spence and Gavrikov created holes in their defence, as they really only had a top-4 group that consisted of Andersen, Doughty, Edmundson, and Clarke. So on July 1st 2025, the Kings' general manager, Ken Holland, would sign 2 defensemen to become the 3rd pairing. He would sign Cody Ceci to a 4-year, $18 million deal and Brian Dumoulin to a 3-year, $12 million deal. 

These signings for the Kings were viewed negatively, as Holland signed 2 older defensemen to multi-year deals that included 10-team no-move clauses, meaning that if they wanted to trade either Ceci or Dumoulin, they would have to pick teams that those players left out of their 10-team no-trade lists. 

The Impact of the Kings Future

While the Kings were one of the better defensive teams in the NHL, the reason these signings have hurt the future of the Kings organization is that, had the Kings been able to sign Gavrikov and keep Spence, their defensive core would look much stronger than it is now. 

Another problem with the signing of Ceci and Dumoulin is that Jordan Spence is 25 and Vladislav Gavrikov is 30, whereas Ceci is 32 and Dumoulin is 34. With the Kings already having a mix of young and older defensemen on their roster, signing Ceci and Dumoulin only made the team older. 

The Kings have a mix of young and older players on the roster, and they need to keep getting younger. After losing Anze Kopitar to retirement and with Drew Doughty having a few seasons left, the Kings cannot rely on Ceci and Dumoulin to be the future of the team. Had the Kings been able to keep Spence and Gavrikov, their defence roster could have looked like: 

1. Andersen-Doughty
2. Gavrikov-Clarke
3. Edmundson-Spence

While the problem between Spence and the Kings was over playing time, had they been able to sort that out, this defensive core would be a very strong one the Kings could rely on when needed, thanks to the combination of veterans and youth in the lineup. 

Overall, while this defence core is seemingly better than what the Kings are today, the likelihood of this lineup ever truly existing was low due to contract and playing-time disputes. Had the Kings figured it out, they could have been in a much better position going forward. 

On Tuesday, the Vancouver Canucks announced that they had relieved Adam Foote of his head coaching duties along with his staff. 

Thank you Adam Foote, Scott Young, Kevin Dean, and Brett McLean for everything you gave to the Vancouver Canucks. We are grateful for your leadership and dedication. pic.twitter.com/Fo5r7sJwCh

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) May 19, 2026

This marked the third head coach to be fired since the conclusion of the 2025-26 regular season, with the Toronto Maple Leafs firing Craig Berube after their GM change, and the Edmonton Oilers letting go of Kris Knoblauch. 

It also marked the sixth coach to be fired since the calendar changed over to 2026. 

With 40 games to go in the regular season, the Columbus Blue Jackets fired Dean Evason.

With eight games to go in the regular season, the Vegas Golden Knights fired Bruce Cassidy.

And with four games to go, the New York Islanders fired head coach Patrick Roy.

The difference between the Islanders' situation and the rest of the hirings that came after the firing is who they hired.

The Blue Jackets got Rick Bowness out of retirement. The Golden Knights got John Tortorella, but only for the remainder of the season, as of now. 

The Islanders got Pete DeBoer, who would have been the top choice on the market this summer, had he made it there. That's the biggest reason why general manager Mathieu Darche didn't wait until season's end to make a coaching change.

"Guys like Pete DeBoer don't stay on the market very long," Darche said. "His pedigree, I mean, he went to five of the last six conference finals. He's had success everywhere he's been. He's a very structured coach. I know with Hockey Canada, I've got a lot of friends on that group, he was in charge of the (defensive)-zone structure, of the (defensemen) and a lot of the systems. So, at this time, I think it's what we need moving forward."

Would DeBoer have loved to coach Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers or Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs if given the change?

As the owl says in the famous Tootsie Roll commercial, "The world may never know."

All the Islanders know is that they got their guy, someone they hope can lead the Islanders back into the playoffs after missing the last two postseasons. 

 

Just days before the NHL trade deadline, reports revealed that the Buffalo Sabres were willing to match the St. Louis Blues’ high asking price for veteran defenseman Colton Parayko.

The deal ultimately fell through when Parayko exercised his no-trade clause to decline the trade. Parayko went on to finish the season with the Blues and formed a steady partnership with rookie Theo Lindstein.

Although Parayko wasn’t traded during the season, some insiders have indicated that the Blues could revisit Parayko trade discussions in the off-season. 

Parayko just completed the fourth year of the eight-year, $6.5 million AAV contract he signed with the Blues. The 33-year-old will have the no-trade clause on his contract until the end of the 2027-28 season, after which it will become a modified 15-team no-trade clause. 

While Parayko has the right to decline a trade, the Blues can still attempt to move him to a team he might be willing to go to. 

A recent report from TSN’s Bruce Garrioch indicates that the Ottawa Senators could be one of those teams that make a push to acquire him. 

That won’t be easy for the Senators, or any team interested in acquiring Parayko, as Garrioch reports that the Blues are asking for a high-end prospect and a first-round pick. 

Report: Jordan Kyrou Remains Available For Trade; Blues Looking For 'King's Ransom'Jordan Kyrou is back in the trade rumor mill, as a new report by TSN’s Bruce Garrioch says the St. Louis Blues are looking for a “king’s ransom” in exchange for Kyrou.

Parayko brings a skill set that very few players in the NHL can match. Standing 6-foot-6, Parayko is a solid defender, capable of using his size to protect the front of the net. Additionally, he moves well enough to defend the rush and move the puck fairly efficiently.

But Parayko also brings a wealth of experience from playing at the highest level. Parayko has skated in 800 NHL games, won a Stanley Cup in 2019, and recently represented Canada at the Olympics and the 4 Nations Face-Off. 

Parayko has been a leader on the Blues for quite some time now, and could be a candidate to take the captaincy if soon-to-be-GM Alexander Steen elects to keep him on the roster. 

Whatever happens with Parayko, all that is for certain is that he will help whatever team he ends up with. Whether he stays with the Blues as they attempt to regroup and make the playoffs in the coming years, or joins a Stanley Cup contender. Either an NHL club is better off having Parayko than not. 

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The Toronto Maple Leafs are searching for their next head coach after Craig Berube's dismissal on May 13.

Former Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy remains to be seen as the No. 1 coaching candidate available. To the point where the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings have sought permission to speak to Cassidy.

However, the Golden Knights have withheld permission for those two teams to contact him. Part of that could be related to those teams being division rivals to Vegas.

As for the Maple Leafs, a recent report from Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman seems to imply that Vegas, to this point, has not denied a permission request from Toronto.

"Vegas is not inclined to give permission to Edmonton or LA. We will see about Toronto," Friedman reported on X.

Even though the Golden Knights fired Cassidy in March, he still has one more year on his contract with the organization. So, even if he's been dismissed, Vegas still have the contractual rights.

Cassidy stood behind Vegas' bench for just shy of four regular seasons and coached the team through three post-seasons. He won a Stanley Cup with the Golden Knights in his first year coaching them in 2022-23. 

David Carle Among Three First-Time NHL Head Coach Candidates For Maple LeafsWith Craig Berube out, the Toronto Maple Leafs are in search of a new head coach, with multiple reports suggesting they'll look for a fresh candidate. Here are three first-time NHL head coaches who could be considered for the Maple Leafs' 42nd head coach in franchise history.

He also helped the Knights to two Pacific Division titles. This past campaign would've marked a third occasion, but John Tortorella replaced Cassidy with eight games left in the year, finishing the regular season for Vegas.

When Maple Leafs GM John Chayka faced the media following his decision to fire Berube, he revealed that the organization's search for a new head coach will be vast. Some days later, reports suggested that Toronto would be looking for a "fresh" candidate rather than a veteran bench boss in the coaching carousel.

Report: Cassidy 'Extremely Unlikely' To Be Maple Leafs' Next Head Coach, Fresh Face in PlayThe Toronto Maple Leafs will be searching for a new head coach this off-season. However, Elliotte Friedman believes that Bruce Cassidy won't be the bench boss that the Maple Leafs ultimately decide on. Instead, they may look for a fresh face to be Toronto's 42nd coach.

Friedman even went as far as to say that it would be "extremely unlikely" for the Maple Leafs to decide on hiring Cassidy as the 42nd coach in franchise history.

Regardless of the probability of a Maple Leafs and Cassidy marriage, the Golden Knights have not denied any requests from Toronto's brass.

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On Monday night, the Montreal Canadiens, who have an average age of 25.8, became the youngest team to advance to the Conference Final since the Habs in 1992-93. Back then, the Sainte-Flanelle had an average age of, you guessed it, 25.8.

While that’s an interesting similarity with the Tricolore’s last Stanley Cup conquests, there is one big difference between the two editions of the team’s journey in the playoffs. Back then, the Habs had to face the Quebec Nordiques, who were second in the then Adams Division, the Buffalo Sabres, who were fourth in the same division, the New York Islanders, who had finished third in the then Patrick Division, and the Los Angeles Kings, who had finished third in the then Smythe Division.

Newhook’s Big Goal Sends Canadiens Through To Third Round
Canadiens Goalie Featured On New Trade Board
Canadiens: A Fairytale Worthy Experience Despite The Nightmarish Ending

That year, the Canadiens didn’t have to face the toughest opponents, the Islanders having eliminated the Presidents' Trophy winners, the Pittsburgh Penguins, in the second round. The Pens, who had Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, and Rick Tocchet in their lineup, were heavily favored but bowed out of the playoffs in a dramatic Game 7 overtime loss.

This year, the Canadiens have had to face the Tampa Bay Lightning, who were fifth overall in the standings, and the Sabres, who were fourth overall, and they will now face the second-ranked Carolina Hurricanes.

Meanwhile, the other semi-finalists had easier journeys. The Colorado Avalanche faced the 20th-overall Kings, the 7th-overall Minnesota Wild, and will now take on the 13th-overall Vegas Golden Knights. The Knights took on the 16th-ranked Utah Mammoth, the 15th-ranked Anaheim Ducks, and will face the 1st-ranked Avalanche. As for the Hurricanes, they had to overcome the ninth-overall Ottawa Senators and the 10th-overall Philadelphia Flyers and will now face the 6th-overall Canadiens.

If the Canadiens manage to get through the Hurricanes, they will have beaten three of the top five teams in the league in the regular season on their way to the Stanley Cup Final. That would be quite a feat. 

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In the late hours on the eve of the 2026 NHL trade deadline, the Anaheim Ducks acquired defenseman John Carlson from the Washington Capitals in exchange for a conditional 2026 first-round pick and a 2027 third-round pick.

The condition on the pick stated that if the Ducks missed the 2026 playoffs, they could elect to send Washington their 2027 first-round pick instead. The Ducks made the playoffs, so conditions were not met, and their 2026 pick now belongs to the Caps.

Carlson (36) was in the final year of his contract that carried an AAV of $8 million.

Lack of Adjustments Proved Costly for Ducks against Golden Knights

Takeaways from the Ducks' 5-1 Loss to the Golden Knights, Vegas wins Series 4-2

“I thought this was a time where I looked at giving this group another extra push, another little aid in helping us make this push to where we want to go,” Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said after the trade. “And so ultimately, if we get into the playoffs and we can have a nice run, I looked at it like this: it's worth it. It's worth it to give this group experience, give them a chance to make the playoffs, and to do well in the playoffs, with the hope that we'll be able to re-sign him when this season's over.”

Carlson was injured at the time of the trade, but wound up playing 16 games for the Ducks down the stretch of the regular season, where he was a fixture on both Ducks special teams units, averaged 24:11 TOI per game, and scored 14 points (3-11=14).

He played all 12 of the Ducks’ games in the playoffs, in the very same role as he did in the regular season, greatly factoring into the franchise’s first series win since their trip to the 2017 Western Conference Final. In those 12 games, playing primarily with partner Pavel Mintyukov, he averaged 24:03 TOI/G and scored six points (0-6=6).

Anaheim’s season came to an end on Thursday in Game 6 of their second-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights. Carlson played a total of 28 games with the Ducks (including regular season and playoffs), and he will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 if he and the Ducks do not come to an agreement on an extension before then.

“I certainly loved it here, and there’s a lot of moving parts, but I’ve loved my time,” Carlson said during his exit interview. “It’s a special place here for sure, with some extraordinary talent and a bright future. So, that is certainly attractive to anyone, not just myself.”

The Ducks will now send the 18th overall pick in the 2026 Draft and their third-round pick in 2027 to the Capitals. Now that the dust has settled and the landscape is clear, the question of worth comes back to the forefront.

The idea of adding a player of Carlson’s caliber and experience to the Ducks’ roster made perfect sense at the time of the trade. The critiques of the trade lie in the price of acquiring a player on an expiring contract and the fit of said player on the roster he was joining.

Carlson had been Washington’s #1 defenseman for over a decade prior to the trade, was a force on both sides of the puck, and ate minutes on the power play, penalty kill, and at 5v5.

As his career has progressed and he’s found his way into his mid-to-late thirties, Carlson’s mobility has predictably declined, as has his defensive impact, while he’s maintained a high percentage of his offensive prowess.

With dynamic, albeit unproven offensive talents littered throughout their blueline (Olen Zellweger, Pavel Mintyukov) and defensive pipeline (Tristan Luneau), adding another offensive-oriented defender raised eyebrows and questions of whether it was the right add for this Ducks lineup.

“The things that I’ve liked a lot about him is he's a very intelligent player, very good puck mover,” Verbeek said of what he adds to his defense corps. “I like how he joins the rush in a real cerebral way. His 5-on-5 numbers this year have been outstanding. So I think moving forward, whether it's a playoff run or a playoff push, 5-on-5 play becomes very important, and it'll be important for our group to make sure that we can keep pushing to make the playoffs.

“When I look at what he's done, I think that was probably the most important part of all. Now, we can distribute the ice time in a different manner. We can get better matchups.

There's a lot that went into acquiring him and allowing us to have different looks, different options for our coaching staff.”

Carlson produced well in the regular season, and his underlying numbers were positive in the playoffs. When he was on the ice at 5v5, the Ducks accounted for 53.36% of the shots on goal, 54.59% of the shot attempts, and 51.55% of the expected goals, despite being outscored 11-7.

He was a key factor on the Ducks’ spectacular power play in their opening series against the Oilers, where they converted on eight of 16 opportunities. He was an important piece on the breakout, executing key first passes out of the zone to spark rush opportunities for his teammates.

However, his impact and the positive aspects he brought to the Ducks were somewhat negated in the Ducks’ next series against the Golden Knights.

Vegas was able to thwart the Anaheim power play, which only converted four goals on 22 opportunities through six games. The Knights played a stingy brand of defense in their end, blocking endless perimeter shots and limiting Carlson’s ability to produce from a relatively stationary position at the point. Lastly, they were able to eliminate his breakout impact, cycle for extended periods of time in the Anaheim zone, and exploit the Ducks’ overall lack of inner slot defensive prowess, an area where Carlson doesn’t exactly thrive.

Hindsight will always be 20/20, and Carlson did inarguably improve the Ducks’ blueline down the stretch of the regular season and into their playoff run. However, one can’t help but wonder if other reportedly available defensemen at the trade deadline, such as Colton Parayko, MacKenzie Weegar, or Brandon Carlo, would have been better stylistic and long-term fits on the Ducks’ back end than Carlson.

Until July 1, the Ducks will have exclusive negotiating rights with their three veteran UFA right-shot defensemen: Carlson, Jacob Trouba, and Radko Gudas. This offseason will provide Verbeek a unique opportunity to address an area of need, both on the roster and on the ice, and decisions made could prove pivotal in determining how they can build off the success of the 2025-26 season and playoff run.

Takeaways from the Ducks' 3-2 Overtime Loss to the Golden Knights, Vegas Leads Series 3-2

Olen Zellweger Has Given Ducks A Boost

Ducks GM Pat Verbeek Finalist for General Manager of the Year

The Chicago Blackhawks have a huge off-season ahead. It already began with them being given the 4th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. The Toronto Maple Leafs and San Jose Sharks jumped up into first and second, pushing Chicago down two spots. 

Now, what lies ahead is an important period of time in which the Blackhawks must use to improve their team ahead of the 2026-27 season. After an 11-point improvement in 2025-26, a strong off-season may allow them to get closer to being in the race. 

There are plenty of moves that could be made to improve the team via trades, free agency, and the draft. Some moves would be more consequential than others. 

In a perfect off-season, the Blackhawks would address at least four of their most important weaknesses. These five transactions would make it a perfect off-season: 

1. Make a strong 4th overall pick

The Chicago Blackhawks will make the 4th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft next month. There are a lot of different ways that this selection can go. 

Whether Ivar Stenberg or Caleb Malhotra falls to them, they choose a defenseman, or make a trade involving the pick, they must make the right decision. 

The Blackhawks have already built up a strong young core. They have a lot of development left, but there is talent there. Adding another high-end prospect to the mix will only increase their chances of succeeding in the future. 

Once they make the selection, assuming they make it, it will only become a strong pick with good development plans. 

2. Sign Connor Bedard and make him the captain

Connor Bedard has lived up to being a first overall pick so far. His ability to generate offense for himself and his teammates has been noticeable from day one. 

Whether it's Philipp Kurashev, Taylor Hall, Ryan Donato, Tyler Bertuzzi, Ryan Greene, or Andre Burakovsky, Bedard has found a way to put up points in bunches with any linemate over his first three seasons. If they could find him a star to play with, he would take another step in production. 

Before any of that happens, however, the Blackhawks must get Bedard extended. On July 1st, he will officially become a restricted free agent. The Blackhawks are likely to get him signed up to a long-term deal that includes an average annual value of over $10 million.

It will be a lucrative contract for Bedard, but he's worth every penny. At one point, he might be "underpaid" based on NHL standards. 

After he is signed long-term to a massive contract, the Blackhawks are going to name him as the team's next captain. After Nick Foligno left the team via a trade, it became apparent that Bedard was next. 

Bedard made it clear that being the next captain would mean a lot to him and would be a role that he embraces. 

"It’d be an honor," Bedard said on being the captain. "It’d be extremely special. We have a lot of guys in this room who can lead and take on those kinds of roles. If I’m the one who is chosen for that, I’d be extremely grateful, and that’s not something anyone would take for granted. This is a special organization; it’s been around for 100 years now. You see the names that have gotten that honor, that would be amazing. But whatever fits the team best, and whatever Kyle and everyone is thinking on that. Whatever happens, happens with that."

3. Add a key veteran forward & defenseman

Whether it's a linemate for Connor Bedard or a middle-six forward, the Blackhawks need at least one veteran forward added to the mix. More scoring touch is going to help this team, but they need someone older who has a proven track record of consistency. 

It may also come in the form of a middle-six forward if they believe that Connor Bedard will play with young players already in the organization. Regardless, another solid veteran forward is needed in one way or another. 

This also applies to the defense without the Connor Bedard factor. After trading Connor Murphy and Matt Grzelcyk went down with an injury, Alex Vlasic became the oldest defenseman on the NHL roster. 

It is time to look for another older player to bring a steady presence to the group. With Sam Rinzel, Artyom Levshunov, Wyatt Kaiser, and Louis Crevier as the big-minute guys on the team, they can use some support from someone who has played big minutes elsewhere. 

The Blackhawks don't have to increase their average age by 5 or more years, but it would be helpful if they weren't the youngest team in the league again. Being like Montreal, the youngest team to make the playoffs, is where you want to be. 

4. Find a way to replace Ilya Mikheyev

It doesn't sound like the Chicago Blackhawks are going to be able to keep Ilya Mikheyev. A report from Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet on "32 Thoughts: The Podcast" revealed that the Blackhawks are shopping his negotiating rights. 

32 Thoughts Monday morning playoff preview, news & interview pod. Not reported in it, but heard this morning: Oilers have permission to talk to Craig Berube.

Today's guest is Henrik Sedin. Great answers to terrible questions.

Links to your preferred platform, here:…

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 18, 2026

If that is true, he will be traded away to a team that is attempting to sign him before he officially becomes a free agent. That relieves the Blackhawks of another veteran who is one of the best penalty killers and a solid, even-strength two-way player. That's tough to lose. 

If it is so certain that they have to let him go, they must replace him. If they don't, they will go from having a top-two penalty kill to being outside of the top ten. 

That player who directly replaces Mikheyev may or may not already be within the organization. Oliver Moore and Ryan Greene are guys who have similar profiles, but the team must be sure that they are getting the equal production of Mikheyev from someone else if they are letting him go. 

It makes sense that the Blackhawks are uninterested in giving him a long-term extension, and money has nothing to do with it, but a younger player must be ready to take on his role. 

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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VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Adam Foote is out as coach of the Vancouver Canucks, fired Tuesday as part of the organization's latest purge of staff following a last-place finish in the NHL this season.

Foote lasted just one year in the role after being promoted from an assistant to succeed Rick Tocchet, who decided to leave when his contract was up. The Canucks lost 57 of 82 games to end up 14 points lower than the next-closest team in the league standings.

Assistant coaches Kevin Dean, Scott Young and Brett McLean also were dismissed.

Moving on from Foote comes after a total front-office overhaul. Last week, Hall of Fame player twin brothers Daniel and Henrik Sedin were named co-presidents, and Ryan Johnson was elevated to general manager.

Then-president of hockey ops Jim Rutherford fired GM Patrik Allvin last month, then the 77-year-old announced on May 5 he was stepping down from the job he had held since 2021. Despite having the highest odds to get the first pick, the Canucks lost again in the draft lottery, falling to No. 3 behind Toronto and San Jose.

Vancouver has made just two playoff appearances over the past decade and soon will have a fifth coach in six seasons. Tocchet won the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year for his part in the Canucks qualifying in 2023-24, and he got Philadelphia in and to the second round this spring.

Foote, who was a defenseman during his playing career, was a favorite of former captain Quinn Hughes, who was traded to Minnesota in December. Also in consideration last year was retired forward Manny Malhotra, who coached the team's top minor league affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks, to a Calder Cup title last year as champions of the American Hockey League.

Malhotra, who turned 46 on Monday, worked at the NHL level as an assistant with Vancouver from 2017-20 and the Maple Leafs from '20-24 before getting put in charge of Abbotsford. Johnson has been the GM of the AHL club for several years.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Vancouver Canucks fire coach Adam Foote after finishing last in the NHL in his only season in charge.

Should the Calgary Flames trade up to snag the second overall pick? It’s a bold move that definitely won’t come cheap.

Flames fans were likely hoping for better luck at the NHL Draft Lottery, but landing at sixth overall is where they currently stand.

While the sixth spot offers a solid prospect, the Flames need a franchise-altering forward to spark excitement, sell tickets, and provide hope. With a new arena on the horizon, the team needs to be competitive and exciting from day one - ownership has said as much. They need elite goal scoring, and forwards like Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg - who are slated to go in the top two picks - could potentially provide that.

The current draft order is:

1. Toronto Maple Leafs 
2. San Jose Sharks 
3. Vancouver Canucks 
4. Chicago Blackhawks 
5. New York Rangers
6. Calgary Flames

With a surplus of second-rounders and two first-round picks, the Flames have the assets to move up. It might seem very unlikely for San Jose to part with the second pick, but as the saying goes, "If Gretzky can be traded, anyone can be moved." 

So, what would it cost to move into that number two slot? It would be significant.

The Sharks could identify a cornerstone defenceman at the draft, like Carson Carels, Chase Reid or Keaton Verhoeff to complement their established phenom Macklin Celebrini. Meanwhile, with Matt Sundin at the helm in Toronto, they could potentially lean toward a Swedish selection like Stenberg, which would result in McKenna sliding to number two.

If the Flames can get there, somehow, they could finally land the star player the fanbase has been clambering for.

San Jose needs defence and better goaltending after finishing last season with the third most goals against, with 290. They also need veteran leadership. This is where the Flames can build a compelling package.

The Mock Trade

To Calgary Flames:

• 2026 1st Round Pick (2nd Overall)

To San Jose Sharks:

• 2026 1st Round Pick (6th Overall)
• 2026 1st Round Pick (via Vegas - late 1st)
• Blake Coleman (F/C)
• Devin Cooley (G)

This package offers the Sharks two first-rounders, a two-time Cup winner in Coleman, and Cooley, a California native (and former Shark) who posted a .909 save percentage last season (6th highest). For the Flames, with eight picks in the first three rounds, this is the perfect time to make a franchise-altering splash.

Whether it’s to secure Stenberg or McKenna, the Flames should be aggressive. Is it a heavy price? Maybe. Is it possible, sure, although not likely. But for a chance at a superstar, it’s a gamble worth taking.

The NHL Draft is on Jun 26-27, 2026 at Keybank Center in Buffalo and Craig Conroy will undoubtedly be looking for ways to level up this roster. 

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Nathan MacKinnon is pacing the Colorado Avalanche with 36 shots on goal and 13 points entering Game 1 of the Western Conference Final vs. the Vegas Golden Knights.

He'll have even more on his plate without Cale Makar in the lineup, and my Golden Knights vs. Avalanche predictions expect the superstar to deliver.

Take a look at these NHL picks for Wednesday, May 20.

Golden Knights vs Avalanche Game 1 prediction

Golden Knights vs Avalanche best bet: Nathan MacKinnon Over 4.5 shots on goal (+115)

Nathan MacKinnonaveraged 5.66 shots on 11 shot attempts over three meetings with the Vegas Golden Knights. 

The Colorado Avalanche had just six power plays in total, so his output wasn't inflated by special teams. The tight whistle aligned with what we should see in a Conference Finals series, and MacKinnon still produced elite volume.

Expect more of the same in Game 1 at home. MacKinnon has generated five shots per game on 10.4 attempts through five contests in Colorado, and he has attempted 10+ shots in three of the last four. 

Note: Would play MacKinnon o3.5 shots to -200.

Golden Knights vs Avalanche Game 1 same-game parlay

Sam Malinski will take over as the No. 1 offensive defenseman in the absence of Cale Makar. He will see expanded minutes at 5-on-5, and likely replace Makar as the quarterback on the top power play.

That means plenty of ice with MacKinnon and the team's top players in a game the Avalanche have a team total of O/U 3.5, setting him up for success.

It's all about Jack Eichel on the Vegas side. He cleared 2.5 shots on goal in both appearances against Colorado this season, and has gone Over in eight of the last nine against the Avalanche.

Golden Knights vs Avalanche SGP

• Nathan MacKinnon Over 4.5 shots
• Sam Malinski Over 0.5 assists
• Jack Eichel Over 2.5 shots

Golden Knights vs Avalanche Game 1 goal scorer pick

Martin Necas (+145)

Martin Necas has gotten a lot of praise in the playoffs for his playmaking, but he has also threatened as a shooter, ranking second on the Avalanche with 25 shots on goal. He scored three goals over three meetings with the Golden Knights this season and, with last change at home, will get more shifts against weaker competition than on the road.

Golden Knights vs Avalanche odds for Game 1

• Moneyline: Golden Knights +155 | Avalanche -180
• Puck Line: Golden Knights +1.5 (-155) | Avalanche -1.5 (+135)
• Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+110) | Under 6.5 (-130)

Golden Knights vs Avalanche trend

Colorado has hit the moneyline in 13 of the last 15 games (+10.35 units, 36% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Golden Knights vs. Avalanche.

How to watch Golden Knights vs Avalanche Game 1

Golden Knights vs Avalanche latest injuries

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With the Colorado Avalanche facing off against the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Finals, it's going to be the first time these two teams have faced off against each other since the 2021 NHL Playoffs. Both teams can be seen as having taken different routes to reach the point where they now face off.

The Avalanche continued their regular-season dominance. The Los Angeles Kings, to no one's surprise, was a quick series, tight at times; though the Avalanche's talent overpowered the Kings. Though the Wild was a surprise to many others, as it was to me, for how quickly the series was.

 Many, including myself, thought the Avalanche would come out of the series as the winners, but five games were pretty quick for what the Wild just went through with the Stars. Though the Avalanche capitalized on the Wild's weak spots and used some unfortunate injuries to their depth to once again move past to the next round in five games.

Then there's the Knights, a team that struggled at times against two young Western Conference teams, the Utah Mammoth and the Anaheim Ducks, but regrouped as the series went on and capitalized on their weaknesses to close out the series.

There will be some key factors in this series if both teams want to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Goaltending Will Be Key.

Both teams' goaltending has had some ups and downs, but the Avalanche does have a tandem. The Knights have been reliant on Carter Hart for all 12 games they have played. Win or lose, no matter what, he is their guy, and as the playoffs have continued, he has shown he is getting better.

He enters the series with an 8-4 record with a .915% save percentage and a 2.37 goals against average, which are no numbers to scoff at for the Avalanche. Similar to the Kings, the Knights want to play a very slow, controlled-paced game, limiting the number of shots on goal attempts by the enemy team.

That is one big reason why, during their series against the Ducks and Mammoth, they couldn't keep up with the speed and youth of those teams; they were forced into a shootout, and giving credit where it's due, they won some of those games, but it can be a recipe for success for the Avalanche. 

The Avalanche needs to have all four lines rolling this series, constantly peppering Hart with shots. It's been a key reason the Avalanche are where they are today, thanks to their depth scoring, and it needs to be even more important in this one.

The Avalanche Just Sent A Terrifying Message To The Rest Of The NHLNathan MacKinnon delivered again, but it was Colorado’s relentless depth—shift after shift, wave after wave—that truly overwhelmed Minnesota and turned a tight playoff series into a statement of how dangerous this Avalanche team has become.

It goes the same for the Avalanche, goaltending-wise. They most likely run it back with Scott Wedgewood, given how well he played after his Game 4 loss to the Wild, but, again, to their advantage, if he can't find his rhythm, they have Mackenzie Blackwood to fall back on.

It will be interesting to see how this goaltending matchup plays out. I do believe now that the final four is set, that no matter who the Avalanche play, they have already faced the best goaltender in the playoffs, Jesper Wallstedt. It will be key to see if the Avalanche can force John Tortorella’s hand and pull Hart a game, forcing him to decide whether to start Adin Hill.

Capitalizing On Another Injury Affecting the Enemy’s Depth

The Wild took a major blow when they werent able to have Joel Eriksson Ek and Jonas Bordin in their lineup, hurting not only their defensive depth, which got exposed by the production from Quinn Hughes and Brock Faber, but also their center depth. In Vegas’s case, Mark Stone left Game 3 against the Ducks and didn’t play the rest of the series, and with his injury history, it could be a major flag for the Knights.

Here's the injury to Mark Stone that sent him to the locker room just before the 1st period ended. pic.twitter.com/PCx3WKe1n3

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) May 9, 2026

Now the Knights did end up winning said series, but losing Stone, who had three goals and four assists for seven points leading up to the injury, hurts the team going forward. He is a major piece of their offense, a key playmaking winger in their top-six, and just a great captain on and off the ice. Now there are no reports as of writing on whether he's going to be ready or miss Game 1 or more of the series, but like Eriksson Ek, you can’t miss the opportunity to win the games where he is not in the lineup.

We have already seen players like Jack Eichel and especially Mitch Marner help carry the offensive load in his absence, but the defensive burden is also missing with Stone out of the lineup.

Why Vegas Might Be Colorado’s Most Dangerous Test YetThe Colorado Avalanche may have the NHL’s most dangerous roster, but the battle-tested Vegas Golden Knights possess the structure, physicality, and experience to turn the Western Conference Final into a brutal war of attrition.

Again, Marner has been outstanding for the Knights, putting up Conn Smyth-type numbers, but he can’t do it alone. Stone's absence from the lineup puts a lot of pressure on the top six to perform, and if the Avalanche can win the depth matchup, as they have so far in these playoffs, they need to capitalize on games without Stone. 

Can The Avalanche Get More Support From Those Struggling

Despite the amount of scoring the Avalanche have gotten from pretty much everyone up and down the lineup, there is still more room for production, and that comes from the top-six. While Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas have led the way with support from Gabriel Landeskog and Artturi Lehkonen, there could be more to expect from Valeri Nichushkin and especially Brock Nelson.

Chris MacFarland Makes His Case For GM Of The YearChris MacFarland’s series of calculated roster moves—headlined by the Mikko Rantanen trade, a goaltending overhaul, and deadline depth additions—have positioned the Avalanche as a legitimate Stanley Cup favorite and strengthened his case for GM of the Year.

Nichushkin only has one goal and two assists for three points, both of which came from the first two games of the Wild series. Nelson, on the other hand, has two goals and one assist for three points, one goal and one assist coming from the series against the Wild, and the other goal against the Kings.

The issue, once again, comes down to their cap hit relative to their production. We have seen both of these players come up big for the Avalanche, either during the regular season or, in Nichushkin's case, be a major factor in the playoffs. There are never any points to be made about back/fore-checking or making bad defensive plays.

It's just frustrating that they're not producing like we know they can, but once they start hitting the scoresheet consistently, it just adds another level to this Avalanche team.

Nicolas Roy’s Journey Has Come Full Circle Against VegasAfter two trades in less than a year, Nicolas Roy is back in the Western Conference Final — this time trying to stop the franchise where he won a Stanley Cup and built a career.

For the fifth time in nine years, the Vegas Golden Knights are in the Western Conference Final. If they want to advance to their third Stanley Cup Final, they’ll have to overcome a powerful and intimidating foe: the Colorado Avalanche.

Game 1 is on Wednesday. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. MT at Ball Arena.

The Avalanche won the President’s Trophy as the team with the best regular season record, and they’ve gone 8-1 this postseason. After matching up against the Utah Mammoth and the Anaheim Ducks in the first two rounds, the Avalanche are easily the biggest challenge Vegas has faced to date. However, there are three areas in which the Golden Knights hold an advantage.

1. Special Teams

The Avalanche are considerably better on the power play than they were in the regular season, which, admittedly, isn’t a high bar. During the regular season, the Avalanche scored 45 power play goals and allowed 13 shorthanded goals. In the postseason, the Avs have outscored their opponents 6-1 when on the power play.

The Golden Knights are no longer outsourcing their opponents while on the penalty kill. However, they’ve allowed just five goals and countered with four shorthanded strikes. Brett Howden became just the eighth player to record three shorthanded goals in a single postseason, and he and Mitch Marner don’t figure to slow down any time soon.

“When you hit the playoffs, special teams are important,” said head coach John Tortorella. “It’s one of the areas in a series where you concentrate on the other team– how they kill, how their power play plays. Because a lot of the 5-on-5, it’s just instinctive play… But the special teams, you really zero in on.”

2. Depth

It’s important to preface this statistic with a reminder that the Avalanche have played three fewer games than the Golden Knights. However, they’re also getting less production from lower in their lineup.

The Golden Knights have ten players with 5+ points; the Avalanche have nine. The Golden Knights have nine players with 6+ points; the Avalanche have seven. And the Golden Knights have six players with 9+ points; the Avalanche have two.

3. Goaltending

After struggling to keep the puck out of their net during the regular season, the Golden Knights are finally getting the stops they need from their goaltender. In 12 games played, Carter Hart is among the postseason leaders in nearly every statistic. He’s second in save percentage with a .912, and his 2.37 GAA is fourth among goaltenders who have played at least eight games.

The Avalanche face an interesting decision regarding who gets the starting nod. They’ve primarily turned to Scott Wedgewood this postseason, and he responded with a record of 7-1 and a .914 average save percentage. Mackenzie Blackwood has started their last three contests and recorded a .872 average save percentage.

The NHL isn't budging on the sanctions it dealt the Las Vegas Golden Knights for shirking its responsibilities with the media during the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The punishment handed out by the league to the Knights for "flagrant violations" of the NHL's postgame media policy during the postseason will remain as assessed after an appeal by the team, according to multiplereports on May 19.

The NHL announced earlier this week the Knights had to forfeit a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and coach John Tortorella was fined $100,000 after the franchise didn't open its locker room to reporters and Tortorella did not speak to the media at a postgame news conference after a Game 6 win over the Anaheim Ducks in the Western Conference semifinals.

EASTERN CONFERENCE: Canadiens outlast Sabres in Game 7 OT thriller, move on to conference finals

The league said its sanctions came after previous warnings were issued to the Knights regarding their compliance with the league's media policies. The team's appeal hearing occurred May 19 in New York, according to the reports. Some players did speak from the podium after Game 6, according to ESPN.

The Knights said in a statement after the penalties were announced that the team would have no further comment on the matter. Tortorella also had no comment when asked about the controversy by reporters for the first time since the end of the conference semifinals on May 16.

Tortorella took over as the the coach in Las Vegas after the franchise fired Bruce Cassidy in late March. The Knights open the Western Conference finals against the Colorado Avalanche on May 20.

The Knights were already without their first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft after acquiring defenseman Noah Hanifin in 2024.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Las Vegas Golden Knights lose draft pick over NHL rules violation