While it’s been known for a while that the Toronto Maple Leafs are selecting first in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, the league officially revealed its order of selection.

The Leafs, as of this writing, will have eight picks in the 2026 NHL Draft ranging from No. 1 to No. 169.

In addition to picking first overall, the Leafs will next pick in the second round (60th overall). That’s the pick they received from the Los Angeles Kings in the trade that sent forward Scott Laughton out west. The pick originally belonged to the Buffalo Sabres.

After that, the Leafs will have two picks in the third round. They have their own pick (69th) and the Philadelphia Flyers pick (85th) that was acquired this week in the trade that sent goaltender Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit to Philly.

In the fourth round, the Leafs will select 114th. This pick was acquired from the Seattle Kraken in the Bobby McMann trade in the last deadline. The pick originally belonged to the Anaheim Ducks. 

In the fifth round, the Leafs have two picks. They have their own (133rd overall) and the 158th overall pick they acquired the Colorado Avalanche trade they made in the deadline deal that sent Nicolas Roy back to the Western Conference. 

In the sixth round, the Leafs will pick 169th overall using San Jose’s pick in the deal that sent Timothy Lilljegren to the Sharks back in 2024.

Toronto doesn’t have any picks in the seventh round.

Round 1

1. Toronto

2. San Jose

3. Vancouver

4. Chicago

5. NY Rangers

6. Calgary

7. Seattle

8. Winnipeg

9. Florida

10. Nashville

11. St. Louis

12. New Jersey

13. NY Islanders

14. Columbus

15. St. Louis (from DET)

16. Washington

17. Los Angeles

18. Washington (from ANA)

19. Utah

20. Buffalo (from EDM via SJS)

21. Philadelphia

22. Pittsburgh

23. Boston

24. Vancouver (from MIN)

25. Seattle (from TBL)

26. NY Rangers (from DAL via CAR)

27. San Jose (from BUF)

28. Montreal

29. St. Louis (from COL via NYI)

30. Calgary (from VGK)

31. Carolina

32. Ottawa

 

Round 2

33. Vancouver

34. Chicago

35. Calgary (from NYR via UTA)

36. Calgary

37. Chicago (from TOR)

38. Seattle

39. Pittsburgh (from WPG)

40. Florida

41. Vancouver (from SJS)

42. Nashville

43. Columbus (from STL via PIT)

44. New Jersey

45. Chicago (from NYI)

46. Los Angeles (from CBJ via MTL)

47. Detroit

48. Florida (from WSH)

49. Los Angeles

50. Anaheim

51. Calgary (from UTA)

52. Edmonton

53. Philadelphia

54. Pittsburgh

55. Calgary (from OTT via UTA)

56. Boston

57. Nashville (from MIN)

58. Tampa Bay

59. Dallas

60. Toronto (from BUF via OTT and LAK)

61. Montreal

62. San Jose (from COL)

63. Forfeited pick

64. NY Rangers (from CAR)

 

Pick 63 - On May 15, 2026, the NHL announced the Vegas Golden Knights will forfeit a 2nd-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft for flagrant violations of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Media Regulations.

 

Round 3

65. Calgary (from VAN)

66. Chicago

67. NY Rangers

68. Calgary

69. Toronto

70. Nashville (from SEA via DAL)

71. Winnipeg

72. Ottawa (from FLA)

73. St. Louis (from SJS via PIT and DET)

74. Colorado (from NSH)

75. St. Louis

76. St. Louis (from NJD via NYI)

77. NY Rangers (from NYI)

78. Vancouver (from CBJ)

79. Detroit

80. Los Angeles (from WSH via OTT)

81. NY Rangers (from LAK)

82. Anaheim

83. Utah

84. Edmonton

85. Toronto (from PHI)

86. Pittsburgh

87. Ottawa

88. Boston

89. Minnesota

90. Tampa Bay

91. Ottawa (from DAL via CAR and LAK)

92. NY Rangers (from BUF)

93. Montreal

94. Columbus (from COL via MIN)

95. Vegas

96. Utah (from CAR)

 

Round 4

97. Vancouver

98. Florida (from CHI)

99. Seattle (from NYR via CBJ)

100. Calgary

101. Columbus (from TOR via MIN)

102. Seattle

103. Montreal (from WPG via NJD)

104. Boston (from FLA via SJS)

105. Carolina (from SJS)

106. Nashville

107. St. Louis

108. New Jersey

109. NY Islanders

110. Ottawa (from CBJ via DET)

111. Boston (from DET via ANA)

112. Washington

113. Los Angeles

114. Toronto (from ANA via SEA)

115. Utah

116. Winnipeg (from EDM via BOS and BUF)

117. Anaheim (from PHI)

118. Nashville (from PIT)

119. Chicago (from OTT)

120. San Jose (from BOS)

121. Minnesota

122. Boston (from TBL)

123. St. Louis (from DAL via NJD)

124. Buffalo

125. Montreal

126. Colorado

127. San Jose (from VGK via WSH)

128. Colorado (from CAR)

 

Round 5

129. Vancouver

130. Utah (from CHI)

131. NY Rangers

132. Calgary

133. Toronto

134. Tampa Bay (from SEA)

135. Winnipeg

136. Florida

137. Minnesota (from SJS)

138. Nashville

139. St. Louis

140. New Jersey

141. NY Islanders

142. Columbus

143. Detroit

144. Washington

145. Los Angeles

146. Anaheim

147. Utah

148. Nashville (from EDM)

149. Colorado (from PHI)

150. St. Louis (from PIT)

151. Ottawa

152. Colorado (from BOS)

153. Minnesota

154. Tampa Bay

155. Dallas

156. Buffalo

157. Boston (from MTL via SJS)

158. Toronto (from COL)

159. Vegas

160. Nashville (from CAR)

 

Round 6

161. Vancouver

162. NY Rangers (from CHI via BUF)

163. NY Rangers

164. Calgary

165. Carolina (from TOR)

166. Seattle

167. Winnipeg

168. Florida

169. Toronto (from SJS)

170. Pittsburgh (from NSH)

171. St. Louis

172. New Jersey

173. NY Islanders

174. San Jose (from CBJ via PHI)

175. Detroit

176. Vancouver (from WSH)

177. Los Angeles

178. Anaheim

179. Nashville (from UTA)

180. Edmonton

181. Philadelphia

182. Columbus (from PIT)

183. Ottawa

184. Vancouver (from BOS via MIN)

185. Minnesota

186. Tampa Bay

187. Dallas

188. Buffalo

189. Montreal

190. Los Angeles (from COL via OTT)

191. Vegas

192. Carolina

 

Round 7

193. NY Rangers (from VAN)

194. Chicago

195. Colorado (from NYR via NSH)

196. Detroit (from CGY)

197. Dallas (from TOR)

198. Seattle

199. Winnipeg

200. Chicago (from FLA)

201. San Jose

202. Nashville

203. St. Louis

204. Seattle (from NJD)

205. NY Islanders

206. Columbus

207. Detroit

208. Washington

209. Los Angeles

210. Anaheim

211. Utah

212. Edmonton

213. Philadelphia

214. Colorado (from PIT)

215. Colorado (from OTT)

216. Boston

217. Florida (from MIN)

218. Tampa Bay

219. Dallas

220. Winnipeg (from BUF)

221. Montreal

222. Colorado

223. Vegas

224. Montreal (from CAR)

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ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Anaheim Ducks forward Troy Terry is expected to miss the start of the upcoming season after undergoing hip surgery.

Terry will make a full recovery in five to six months after surgery “to address hip impingement and a labral tear,” the Ducks announced in a statement Thursday. Terry had the surgery on June 9, and he has begun the rehabilitation process.

The 28-year-old Terry had 19 goals and 38 assists during the regular season before getting the first playoff experience of his nine-year NHL career last spring. He had three goals and eight assists in 12 games while Anaheim reached the second round, but the team announced after the season ended that Terry needed surgery for a chronic hip impingement.

Terry has been the Ducks' most consistent offensive presence during the team's seven-year postseason drought. The two-time All-Star selection has four career 20-goal seasons, and he has scored at least 50 points in five consecutive seasons, getting a career-high 67 in the 2021-22 season.

___

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

The Calgary Flames are currently in rebuilding mode, with a promising pipeline that could aid their transition over the next few seasons.

While players like Zayne Parekh, Matvei Gridin, Yan Kuznetsov, and Hunter Brzustewicz all took massive steps this season and are likely locks for NHL roster spots next year, several other prospects are knocking on the door. Here are a few players looking to earn call-ups and NHL ice time next season.

Abram Wiebe (Wranglers) - Initially considered a secondary piece in the trade that sent Rasmus Andersson to the Vegas Golden Knights, Wiebe has proven his value. Drafted 209th overall by Vegas in 2022, he appeared in four games for the Flames late last season and is slated to skate for the Wranglers next year. He earned multiple Defenceman of the Week awards during his sophomore season at North Dakota and was named to the NCHC All-Academic Team, finishing the year with 29 points (5g, 24a) in 40 games.

Cole Reschny (NCAA) - Reschny is expected to return to North Dakota next season for continued development. While he could be ready for professional minutes with the Wranglers, his consistent offensive skill, hockey sense, and solid two-way game suggest he will soon be wearing a Flaming ‘C.’ As the Flames look to bolster their center depth, Reschny is a prime candidate; he suited up for Team Canada at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championships, recording 8 points (5g, 3a) in 5 games, and averaged nearly a point per game at North Dakota with 35 points (6g, 29a) in 36 games. He was named NCHC Rookie of the Year in 2025-26.

Ethan Wyttenbach (NCAA) - Wyttenbach had a breakout 2025-26 season with Quinnipiac University, tallying 59 points (25g, 24a) in 40 games. Drafted 144th overall by the Flames in 2025, the 5’10", 180-pound winger has shown clear progress. While he may remain in the NCAA for another season, he is quickly becoming a name to watch in the Calgary prospect pool.

Aydar Suniev (Wranglers) - Suniev saw action with the Flames last season and, while he needs to refine his defensive play, he brings a lethal shot and an undeniable nose for the net. On a team desperate for offence, Suniev could carve out a permanent role if he continues to produce and improves his play away from the puck. Drafted 80th overall in 2023, the 21-year-old has played seven career NHL games and recorded his first NHL point, an assist, against the Utah Mammoth on April 12, 2026.

Tyson Gross (Flames) -  One of the most touted free agents out of the college ranks last season, Gross recorded 41 points (18g, 23a) in 36 games with St. Cloud State before signing an entry-level deal with his hometown Flames. He finished the season in Calgary, playing six games and scoring his first career NHL goal against the Colorado Avalanche. He brings size, hockey sense, and reliability in the faceoff circle.

Samuel Honzek (Flames) - Honzek is currently bridging the gap between prospect and pro. He made the Flames roster out of training camp last season and was effectively playing alongside Mikael Backlund in a shutdown role before a season-ending injury sidelined him. He was performing at a high level, and he will look to reclaim his spot once training camp begins.

Rory Kerins (Wranglers) -  While the window may be closing for Kerins, he remains a top prospect due to his strong AHL performance and his persistent drive to earn NHL minutes. Success will ultimately come down to him making the most of his opportunities when called upon. Kerins, the Flames' 174th overall pick in 2020, was named an AHL All-Star in 2025 and followed up the strong campaign with another in 2026, recording 57 points (22g, 35a) in 56 games for the Wranglers. He has recorded four assists in nine career NHL games.

NEW YORK (AP) — The NHL said Thursday it completed a review of Mike Babcock’s tenure in Columbus, cleared him to coach the Edmonton Oilers if they opt to hire him.

The league launched an investigation at the request of the NHL Players’ Association in light of the Edmonton Oilers’ interest in hiring Babcock. The league in a statement said even in the least favorable light, there was no basis to restrict Babcock’s employment.

It was not immediately clear if or when the Oilers would name Babcock coach. They have been looking for a replacement since firing Kris Knoblauch following a first-round playoff exit that came after back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Final.

Babcock, 63, has not coached in the NHL since 2019, when he was fired by Toronto 23 games into his fifth season in charge. The Blue Jackets hired him on July 1, 2023, and Babcock resigned in September after his requests for personal photos from players in an attempt to get to know them drew criticism as an invasion of privacy.

A statement from the NHLPA called the allegations very concerning and said, "Moving forward, we expect that Mr. Babcock will uphold the high standards required of NHL head coaches.”

The NHL dropped its planned investigation at the time because Babcock stepped down. It got underway this week after the final ended

Babcock coached Detroit to the Stanley Cup in 2008 and has made two other trips to the final, along with guiding Canada to Olympic gold medals in 2010 and ’14.

___

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

A former Colorado Avalanche forward whose career spanned nearly a decade across the NHL and multiple playoff runs is officially stepping away from professional hockey after 700 games.

Pierre-Édouard Bellemare has retired following 10 NHL seasons with five teams, closing the book on a career that made him the most experienced French-born player in league history.

Bellemare last suited up for the Seattle Kraken in 2023-24, finishing his NHL career with 138 points (64 goals, 74 assists) and a +22 rating across stints with the Philadelphia Flyers, Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Kraken.

He was selected by Vegas in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft and became part of the Golden Knights’ inaugural roster, helping shape the early identity of the franchise.

Over his career, Bellemare appeared in 85 playoff games, recording five goals and 10 assists, and twice reached the Stanley Cup Final — falling with Vegas in 2018 and Tampa Bay in 2022.

His time in Colorado came between 2019 and 2021, where he served as a dependable depth forward and penalty-kill presence during a competitive stretch for the Avalanche.

Bellemare’s international career ended in emotional fashion at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, where he represented France for the final time following a 5-1 loss to Germany in qualification play.

The moment quickly turned reflective after the final whistle.

“That was my last game,” Bellemare said. “I had to reach the quarterfinals to keep on wearing this jersey. It’s a bit tough emotionally, but I’ve never played just for myself, and I’m not going to start now.”

In his final Olympic appearance, Bellemare also scored France’s lone goal — a brief highlight in an otherwise difficult outing.

The moment carried added meaning as it came against longtime NHL goaltender Philipp Grubauer, a former teammate from both Colorado and Seattle.

After the game, Grubauer reflected on seeing his former teammate close out his international career.

“Ha … I was emotional shaking Pierre-Edouard’s hand,” Grubauer said. “I wanted to give him a hug. He’s such a good player. He’s had a fantastic career, but he’s also an incredible person.”

Bellemare will finish the season with HC Ajoie in Switzerland’s National League before officially retiring from professional hockey.

Across his NHL career, he played for the Flyers, Golden Knights, Avalanche, Lightning, and Kraken, finishing with 64 goals and 74 assists for 138 in 700 games.

Paging Mike Commodore. 

NHL Insider Darren Dreger said last week that the Edmonton Oilers were interested in hiring disgraced former Columbus Blue Jackets "Head Coach" Mike Babcock. 

Well, Oilers fans, get ready, because it's happening. 

ESPN's Emily Kaplan and NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman reported on Thursday that the NHL investigation into Mike Babcock's actions while coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets is wrapping up, and he will be cleared to coach again. 

The NHL released a statement on the investigation. 

"The league has completed its review of Mike Babcock's tenure in Columbus, and of certain alleged conduct associated therewith. Our investigation has concluded that, even in the light least favorable to Mr. Babcock, there is no current basis to restrict his employment in the league." 

The Edmonton Oilers are expected to hire Mike Babcock. 

Sources: The Edmtn Oilers are consulting with the NHLPA to see if there are objections that must be resolved before potentially hiring Mike Babcock. Amid allegations of invading players privacy, Babcock resigned in CBJ as Head Coach in 2023. Further investigation may be required.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 8, 2026

A couple of weeks ago was the third anniversary of the rumors that the CBJ were going to hire Mike Babcock. 

A few weeks after the rumors started, Mike Commodore came out with a blistering video about Babcock. He publicly bashed both Babcock and the Columbus Blue Jackets. 

Commodore went on a calm, NSWF rant about how "disappointed" he was to see "Babs the Bully" back in the NHL. Commie asked, "Am I surprised? No, I'm not!" Commodore went on to say that he never believed Babcock was retiring. He said he also feels Babcock went into the CBJ front office and told them "whatever they wanted to hear," "blah blah blah," so he could get the job, claiming he changed; meanwhile Commie thinks otherwise. " Babs the bully ain't changing."

Commodore went on to say he hopes this experiment fails miserably. "With all due respect to my buddies that are in the Blue Jackets Organization, I hope this Babcock experiment is a complete disaster, on every single level."

Let's hope Commodore keeps the same energy that he had back in 2023. 

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

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With our first change in the first-round draft order, the Philadelphia Flyers have a new team to keep an eye on in the 2026 NHL Draft.

On Thursday, the San Jose Sharks traded the 20th overall pick to the Buffalo Sabres, who have now jumped the Flyers in the draft order, in exchange for the 27th overall pick and defenseman Michael Kesselring.

By moving down seven spots, the Sharks acquire a defender in Kesselring who is just 26 years old and one season removed from showing legitimate second-pairing promise.

The Sabres, who turned a dreadful start into a wildly successful season, have now interestingly moved up in the draft order, rather than trading that first-round pick to further improve the team... at least for now.

There has been some wide speculation as to what the Flyers were planning to do with the 21st overall, be it taking a center like Ilia Morozov, a power forward like Maddox Dagenais, or a dynamic defenseman like Xavier Villeneuve.

What Flyers' Press Conference Tells Us About 2026 NHL Draft PlanThe Philadelphia Flyers sound like they have some tricks up their sleeve for the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft.

Should free agent Alex Tuch not return to the Sabres and leave for another team, Buffalo could opt to add a more robust combination of size and skill, via Morozov or Dagenais, to replace him in the long-term.

Behind breakout star Konsta Helenius, the Sabres also don't have a sure thing at center for the future.

Josh Norris has had health issues, while Ryan McLeod is best served reprising his role as one of the best third-line centers in the NHL.

The Flyers have been linked to both Dagenais and Morozov and met with both players at the recent NHL scouting combine, and there aren't players with equal size and skill quite like them in the draft slots that follow.

Of course, the Flyers will still be left with their choice of the two, but Dagenais is seen as more of a winger at the next level, despite his ability to play in the middle and on the flank.

If the center in Morozov goes, the Flyers' remaining options at the position would include Jack Hextall, a distant relative of Flyers legend Ron Hextall, the 6-foot-7 Brooks Rogowski, CHL scoring champ Markus Ruck, and Yegor Shilov.

It's worth reminding, too, that the Flyers moved up in the draft last year, and they could certainly do so again if needed, even if it's just to beat the Sabres to the punch.

The New Jersey Devils finished in the bottom third of the NHL standings in 2025-26, and there are a lot of reasons to explain this. Between an off-ice injury to Jack Hughes early in the year, subpar goaltending, and a gauntlet of an Eastern Conference, making the playoffs just wasn’t in the cards. 

With all those reasons that kept them down, there's plenty to believe it won’t happen again. However, they can’t run it back with the same group of philosophy. With Sunny Mehta leading the way now, things will be different. 

Part of their path to getting better is making trades. The Devils don’t have the elite pipeline of young players they did when Tom Fitzgerald was earlier in his tenure, but they do have assets other teams would want. These three would be the most enticing to other organizations: 

12th Overall Pick

The 12th overall pick may be in play for the New Jersey Devils. There is a chance that this pick would turn into a complete stud, but it isn’t as sure as selecting in the top three. For a team that is trying to get over the hump into the playoffs, it might be a pick better served as trade bait. 

If the Devils are going to trade this pick, you can be certain that they are getting something of significance back. Whether it’s used in a huge blockbuster or even some top-six help on the wing, it will serve the Devils well if they are correct in their process. 

Simon Nemec

Obviously, stars like Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Jesper Bratt are the most valuable players in the organization. However, they are not trading any of those three anytime soon. Of the players that they may actually move, Simon Nemec is at the top of the list. 

The second overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft has had some ups and downs to begin his NHL career. He has mostly been unhappy with his usage, but he is also a 22-year-old defenseman with under 200 games played in the NHL. 

It is going to take some time, as it does for all young defensemen, but Nemec has the tools to be a star. This upside may be what lands the Devils a good return if they do decide to move on. 

Dawson Mercer

Simon Nemec isn’t the only good, young player that the Devils have to offer. Dawson Mercer isn’t as impactful or has the same upside at a premier position as Nemec, but he does have, as a former first-round pick himself, the tools to impact NHL games as a middle-six goal-scoring forward. 

Mercer is good for 20 goals a year with no issue. However, he did have one career year in that department (2022-23) with 27 goals. Mercer is also good for just about every game. He has played in every single game to begin his NHL career: 410 consecutive games played. That includes the COVID-19 era, where players were being shut down for days at a time due to illness. He never missed even once. 

Unfortunately, he didn’t take the steps that the Devils were hoping he would, but he is still a solid middle-six forward who can play center or wing. Mercer doesn't drive offense, but he can make plays with great linemates if presented the chance.

As part of a big trade with layers, there is no reason another contender wouldn’t love to have him. He won't move the needle on a deal, but he'd be a notable sweetener. 

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The Montreal Canadiens are aware of the fact that finding good right-shot defensemen is no easy task, and stockpiling a few in the pipeline wouldn’t hurt. At the 2025 draft, they picked Bryce Pickford out of the WHL, and they weren’t disappointed as the right-shot blueliner put up 83 points in 55 games in his last season in junior hockey. The Habs could be tempted to drink from the same well if Vancouver Giants rearguard Ryan Lin is still available when they take to the stage.

The 5-foot-11 and 198-pound defenseman isn’t the biggest player, but his skill set is both impressive and intriguing. Despite his young age, he has shown he is leadership material and was rewarded with the Giants' captaincy last January, when he was only 17. In his first season in the WHL, he was a rookie of the year finalist, putting up 53 points in 60 games, but he did even better this past season, increasing his production to 57 points in only 53 games.

Potential Canadiens Draft Target: Juho Piiparinen
Gallagher Attended The Canadiens’ Practice Complex
Canadiens Predicted To Trade Soaring Prospect To Land Center

The offensive defenseman is a smooth skater and an elite puck-mover who loves leading the attack and joining the rush, but he can at times be overenthusiastic and be caught up ice. That’s not overly worrying as it’s a tendency that many youngsters have. Learning to pick your moments as an offensive defenseman is something that’s, more often than not, on young blueliners’ to-do lists; even Lane Hutson had to do that when he joined the Habs.

He’s been the Giants’ power play quarterback all season long and has demonstrated that he can walk the line with the best of them while scanning the ice to find the best available play, whether it’s passing the puck to a teammate or finding a shooting lane. While his shot isn’t exactly devastating, he’s good at getting the puck on net and creating rebounds for the forwards to feast on.

While he’s not on the same elite level as some of the higher-ranked defensemen in the draft, such as Chase Reid or Daxon Rudolph and doesn’t have their size, he still has a lot of potential, and his ceiling remains to be established. He’s got the vision and hockey sense that would make him a great candidate to play the Martin St-Louis brand of hockey, if it ever came to that.

---

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The Hamilton Hammers, the New York Islanders newest American Hockey League affiliated announced on Thursday two additions to their coaching staff. 

Continuing to build. 🔨
 
The Hamilton Hammers are pleased to welcome Vince Laise as Assistant Coach and Kain Tisi as Goalie Coach ahead of the club's inaugural season.
 
Learn more about the newest additions to the coaching staff at https://t.co/s5ANPifLFG. pic.twitter.com/zmuRbI7wk5

— Hamilton Hammers (@hammersahl) June 18, 2026

Head coach Jay McKee, who was hired by Hamilton on May 9, brings aboard Vince Laise, who had served on his Brantford Bulldogs staff. 

Hamilton also hires Kain Tisi as the club's goalie coach. 

Tisi had served as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's goalie coach for the last two seasons after a four-year stint as the Pittsburgh Penguins developmental goalie coach. 

There was a vacancy at the AHL goaltender coach level ever since Sergei Naumovs replaced Piero Greco as Islanders goalie coach on Oct. 22. 

Former Islanders and NHL netminder turned MSG and NHL Network analyst, Cory Schneider, had been helping out the AHL goalies since then. 

Another OHL first-rounder for Flyers? Klepov, with 97 points, has tons of appeal originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

For the first time in a while, the Flyers are coming off a playoff run.

That, of course, makes life a little different for the club’s amateur scouting staff leading up to the 2026 NHL draft. Barring a trade, the Flyers will pick at 21st overall. It’s their lowest first-round spot since 2020.

But that was when the Flyers drafted a foundation piece, grabbing Tyson Foerster at 23rd overall.

So the Flyers know the draft is still critical to what they want to do, even when they’re lower in the order.

“We’ve said it for a long time, we wanted to build a team that was going to be here for a long time; not just to go for it for a year or two,” general manager Danny Briere said last month. “That’s still the same approach on my end.”

After the recent trade with the Maple Leafs, the Flyers have only four picks in this draft, which will be held June 26-27. The first round is Friday at 7 p.m. ET, while Rounds 2-7 are Saturday starting at 11 a.m. ET.

“I’ll tell you how I feel about drafts and I’ll be totally blunt with you,” TSN director of scouting Craig Button said June 2 in a phone interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. “I think it’s f—ing bulls–t when I hear about, ‘Oh, this draft isn’t as good.’ Here are the numbers. Approximately 45 players from any draft will play 350 games or more in the NHL. It might be 47 one year, 42 another year. That’s the number — you get 45 players that’ll play 350 games or more with varying degrees of success.

“And I know this about the draft. The teams that get good players from the draft say it was a good draft. The teams that don’t get good players from the draft say it wasn’t a good draft. So when people start telling me about a draft ahead of time, I call bulls–t.”

Last summer, the Flyers made nine selections, with six coming over the first two rounds. Porter Martone was their headliner at sixth overall. Now the Flyers will try to hit on a pick in the 20s.

“What you’re trying to do is find a player that you feel has the potential to be an NHL player,” Button said. “That might be a third-line center, that might be a second-line scoring winger. Hey, listen, maybe you get David Pastrnak, who’s a superstar (drafted 25th overall in 2014).

“But the focus has to be on, ‘OK, what type of player do we like, what type of player do we think the guy can be?’ And then get after it and understand what the development path is, and then try to help that player be the best he can be. Put a stake in the ground and celebrate who you’re drafting.”

Before the draft arrives, we’re breaking down first-round targets for the Flyers.

Next up:

Nikita Klepov

Position: Winger
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 180
Shoots: Left
Team: Saginaw

Scouting report

There’s a swagger to Klepov, who looks like he was born to score.

He won the OHL scoring crown this season as a 17-year-old rookie, amassing 97 points (37 goals, 60 assists) in 67 games for Saginaw. Klepov put up 38 power play points and three shorthanded goals.

“A very productive season,” Daily Faceoff associate editor and prospect analyst Steven Ellis said last Tuesday in a phone interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. “He thinks at a really high level.”

The Michigan State commit had six games of multiple goals and five games of four or more points.

“There were a lot of plays where it’s like, ‘OK, that’s an interesting decision to get rid of the puck here, what are you doing?'” Ellis said. “And then he would skate around everybody, get into scoring position and score. He would do that a lot. This is a guy that thinks the game at a high level.”

Klepov is the 19th-ranked player on Ellis’ top-100 draft board. It’s uncertain if the right winger will play one more season at the junior level before going to college. The knocks on his game are that he’s not very big and the skating isn’t always there.

“His skating is something where it’s more about how he uses it,” Ellis said. “He has actually got some good speed and he does move a lot, but it’s not enough. It’s not every shift. I think that’s kind of the issue. There are a lot of times where he’s just kind of out there and not doing a whole lot and needs to be doing it.

“It’s just kind of that shift-to-shift consistency. There are some points in games he looks a little checked out; he can’t do that at the next level. But I do think that the offensive ability there is very exciting.”

Klepov is No. 20 on both Button’s June 17 list and EliteProspects.com. He’s the eighth-ranked North American skater on NHL Central Scouting.

Fit with Flyers

The Flyers have liked players out of the OHL. Four of their last five first-round selections have been OHLers.

Klepov’s prowess on the power play should attract the Flyers. He sees the ice and can execute at a high level. With the NHL’s worst power play over the last five seasons combined (14.1 percent), the Flyers have needed more answers there.

The organization already has a lot of young wingers, but the Flyers will go with a best-player-available approach at No. 21. If they were to take Klepov, he’d add to a promising outlook on the wing. Just on the right side alone, the Flyers would have Martone, Klepov and Matvei Michkov.

More targets

• Could Lawrence’s early jump to college have him fall to Flyers in draft?

• Will Flyers eye 6-foot-4 forward with ‘goal-scoring hands’ at No. 21?

• Palmieri ‘type of player’ may be available for Flyers at No. 21 in draft

• Russian center with pro build has interesting case for Flyers at No. 21

• Lin has ‘Brandon Montour profile,’ but will he be there for Flyers at No. 21?

• D-man with ‘unbelievable maturity to his game’ could be option for Flyers at No. 21

• ‘Second-line center all day long’ should intrigue Flyers in draft

• ‘This kid is a hell of a player’ — Flyers could draft 45-goal, 104-point winger

• Is Novotny, a winger that’s ‘so dangerous around the net,’ a fit for Flyers?

• A Drysdale type of defenseman for the Flyers at No. 21 in the draft?

In a move that was merely a matter of time, the Bruins announced Thursday morning that they’ll be retiring Patrice Bergeron’s #37 during the 2026-2027 season.

Bergeron’s jersey retirement comes on the heels of the B’s retiring Zdeno Chara’s #33 last season, and the Bergeron honor likely isn’t the last one from that golden (modern) era of Bruins hockey.

The B’s released the graphic below along with their announcement, one that they’ll use to promote the retirement in the run-up to the actual ceremony:

The graphic has plenty of nice details, including a silhouette of the Selke Trophy at the top and six gold stars, a nod to his six Selke Trophy wins.

The image of Bergeron used in the graphic comes from a famous photo of what was arguably Bergeron’s most memorable Bruins goal, the game-winning OT goal in Game 7 against Toronto back in 2013.

Bergeron was a lifetime Bruin, spending his entire 19-season NHL career in Boston. He was drafted by the B’s in 2003, making his NHL debut at just 18 years old.

Over the course of his career, Bergeron played 1,294 regular season games for the Bruins, recording 427G-613A-1,040PTS totals.

It’s worth noting that those totals would likely be significantly higher had Bergeron not missed the equivalent of just about a full season between 2007-2009 as he dealt with the effects of multiple concussions, most notably the one that came via a dirty hit by Randy Jones of the Philadelphia Flyers.

Bergeron also had 119 points (44G-75A) over the course of 163 playoff games.

One of the most complete two-way players of his generation, Bergeron was recently inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame, and an induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame isn’t far off.

From a press release from the Bruins:

“To have my number retired by the Boston Bruins is an honor that is difficult to put into words,” said Patrice Bergeron. “When I arrived in Boston as an 18-year-old, I could never have imagined receiving this recognition one day. I have always believed that any success I had was only possible because of the people around me. I was fortunate to play alongside incredible teammates, learn from outstanding coaches and staff and be supported by an organization that believed in me from the very beginning. I am especially grateful to my family for the sacrifices they made that allowed me to pursue my dream. This honor belongs to all of them as much as it belongs to me. To Bruins fans across New England, thank you for welcoming a young French Canadian and making this place feel like home. Every time I stepped onto the ice, I felt the privilege and responsibility that comes with wearing the Spoked-B, and I always tried to represent this organization and community the right way. I am deeply humbled and grateful to be connected to the history of the Boston Bruins. To know that No. 37 will forever be part of that history is something I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

Bergeron’s #37 will be the 14th number retired by the Bruins.

The date and time for the retirement ceremony hasn’t been set yet, but will likely be announced as we get closer to the start of next season.

If you want to experience a wave of nostalgia, here’s a sampling of highlights from Bergeron’s storied career:

With the Vancouver Canucks naming Ryan Johnson as General Manager and Henrik and Daniel Sedin as co-Presidents of Hockey Operations, we may finally see the Canucks enter a proper rebuild.

Outside of winning a Cup, rebuilding has seemed to be the one thing Vancouver hasn’t managed to do; at least not the proper, old-fashioned way of drafting and developing prospects while selling veterans for young players and draft picks. But with a new regime, there finally seems to be a sense of optimism around the team for the first time in what feels like forever.

At his introductory press conference, Johnson had this to say about the Canucks' process for the rebuild:

“We’re going to do this step-by-step, and we’re not going to race through it. We’re going to be very strategic with everything we do. We’re going to be aligned with everything we do so that, as a group, we are sticking to the vision that was talked about in May of 2026 and not ever get outside of that vision.”

Fans and media will have their own opinions on what moves the Canucks should make during this rebuild, but one thing is certain: this year’s draft, in which Vancouver holds 10 picks, including the third overall selection, will be a huge part of this team moving forward.

During the Patrik Allvin and Jim Rutherford era, the Canucks never tanked correctly, but they still drafted a high-end defensive prospect in Tom Willander and acquired another one in Zeev Buium via the Quinn Hughes trade. Outside of Buium and Willander, Vancouver still lacks the blue-chip prospects other rebuilding organizations have. The best way to acquire elite prospects is by drafting them.

What Can Vancouver Learn From Other NHL Rebuilds? 

Looking at other NHL rebuilds, teams such as the Montréal Canadiens, the San Jose Sharks, and the Chicago Blackhawks all drafted their core players. But where they picked is the biggest thing.

For Montréal, much of the discussion has been about their young stars producing for them. While Lane Hutson was a second-round pick and Nick Suzuki was acquired via trade, the Canadiens picked in the top five from 2022 to 2024, drafting Juraj Slafkovský first-overall in 2022, David Reinbacher fifth-overall in 2023, and Ivan Demidov fifth-overall in 2024. From 2019 to 2025, Montréal had eight first-round picks. Accumulating draft stock is crucial in the early stages of rebuilding.

Chicago has done the same. Since 2018, the Blackhawks have had seven top-10 picks and 17 first-round picks. As for the Sharks, from 2021 to now, they have had five top-10 picks and 10 first-round picks.

The Canucks have another nine picks in the 2027 and 2028 drafts, but they only have one first-round pick. The lack of first-round picks brings the focus to the Filip Hronek dilemma. Canucks fans, and surely management too, are torn on whether to trade the star defenceman or not.

Acquiring More Draft Stock Will Require Parting Ways With Established Players 

Hronek is locked in at $7.25 million for the next six seasons, with a full no-move clause for the next two. He is, without a doubt, Vancouver's biggest trade chip and their best chance to net another first-round pick and potentially other assets as well.

If Hronek waives his no-trade clause, the Canucks need to jump on it, because waiting to trade him will only hurt them. He is a right-shot defenceman on a great contract who can play in all situations. Asset management has hurt Vancouver in the past, and if Johnson and the Sedins want to avoid repeating those mistakes, they should move Hronek if given the opportunity.

As for the future, a large part of who the Canucks trade may be determined by who they select this year. If Vancouver finds themselves in a position where Ivar Stenberg is on the board at three, they get an potential first-line winger. This could make trading Jake DeBrusk more viable. If they draft a defenceman at three, trading Hronek becomes more of a possibility. Lastly, if they can land Caleb Malhotra, they may be more willing to part ways with center Elias Pettersson.

For the first time in years, the Canucks finally seem willing to prioritize patience over shortcuts. With 10 picks in this draft, they have set a good foundation for this rebuild. If they can acquire more picks in the next two drafts and get some lottery luck, it would be a successful start to the Johnson and Sedin management era.

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