The Buffalo Sabres are more heavily invested in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft on Friday than anyone expected, as GM Jarmo Kekalainen flipped defenseman Bowen Byram to Chicago for the fourth overall pick, a 2026 second round pick, and defenseman Louis Crevier. The Sabres now have two picks in the top 20, after another blueline deal involving Michael Kesselring allowed Buffalo to move up seven slots. 

The question now before Kekalainen and his scouting staff is what direction do they go with their top pick. Do they select one of the impressive crop of defensemen expected to be selected in the top 10, do they go first off the board with a center, or does Kekalainen swing for the fences and deal the fourth overall pick for an established player who can help them recover from the losses of Tuch and Byram. 

At this point, it appears almost certain that the top two picks will be winger Gavin McKenna by the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Ivar Stenberg by the San Jose Sharks. Vancouver is picking third and the chatter has shifted back and fourth between them taking head coach Manny Malhotra’s son Caleb or one of the top defensemen (Chase Reid, Keaton Verhoeff, Alberts Smits, Carson Carels). In a premium position such as fourth overall and with the likelihood that they will not be drafting this high in the foreseeable future, the Sabres cannot afford to make a mistake and need to take the best player available, regardless of position.

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Option 1 - Replenish the blueline 

If the Canucks take Malhotra, the Sabres will have their pick of the defensive litter, which is not a bad place to be since many believe this is the best stockpile of blueliners at the top of the draft since 2008 (Drew Doughty, Alex Pietrangelo, Luke Schenn, Zach Bogosian, Tyler Myers, Erik Karlsson). The argument against this is that they already have two first overall picks in Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power in the fold, Mattias Samuelsson coming off a career year, and 2025 ninth overall pick Radim Mrtka a year or two away. 

Option 2 - Take the top center

If Vancouver selects Reid or Verhoeff, the Sabres could still take a defenseman if their top rated one is still on the board, but the temptation would be to take Malhotra, who played for OHL Brantford last season and is heading to Boston University next fall. The argument against this is that Buffalo is loaded with young centers in Konsta Helenius, Noah Ostlund, Jiri Kulich, to go along with veterans Tage Thompson, Ryan McLeod and Josh Norris. Some of these centers can move to the wing, but there appears to be more depth up the middle than there is on the blueline. 

Option 3 - Trade the #4

“I've told all the teams that have inquired about the #4 pick, that we're just going to listen for now, take notes, and see what they think is the value of #4. We value that very highly ourselves.” Kekalainen said on Wednesday.  “We know there's a great prospect available there, that's going to be two, three years away, or maybe even more, before they can make an impact on our team. We want to keep getting better as a team. We had an exciting year, but still disappointing at the end, but we'll gather that information around the league and see what the values, and if we don't think it's as much as making the pick, then we'll make the pick.”

Clearly, the willingness is there on the part of the Sabres GM to make a big move to help recover from the losses of Tuch and Byram, but the move of the fourth overall would have to have a major impact. Names like Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski, Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck or Rangers center Vincent Trocheck have been rumored, but each of them would have to be asking out from Columbus, Winnipeg, and New York, and would have to be willing to come to Buffalo.  

The chatter surrounding Toronto winger Matthew Knies has been popular fodder, but Leafs GM John Chayka was reportedly asking for more than what Buffalo got for Byram from Chicago, and it would likely take a significant piece besides the #4 (like Konsta Helenius to make such a deal happen.

To fill the hole on the wing or on the blueline, it could be more of a fit for Kekalainen to move the 20th overall pick, which might be enough for a rebuilding team like Vancouver to move a winger like Jake DeBrusk, or Toronto to deal right-handed defenseman Brandon Carlo. 

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The possibility of the Detroit Red Wings landing Dallas Stars superstar Jason Robertson appears to have taken a major hit following a flurry of reports late Thursday night and Friday morning.

Speculation had recently picked up surrounding a potential blockbuster that would see Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin head to Dallas in exchange for Robertson. However, the latest developments suggest Robertson may not have any interest in leaving the Stars for a non-contending team.

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, Dallas had reached an agreement Thursday night to sign-and-trade the 26-year-old winger to the Seattle Kraken in a blockbuster sign-and-trade centered around the seventh overall selection in Friday's NHL Draft.

The trade, however, ultimately fell apart after Robertson exercised his no-move clause and refused to waive it for a move to Seattle. The proposed deal reportedly included an eight-year, $120 million contract extension worth $15 million annually.

Had Robertson accepted, it would have made him the second-highest-paid player in the NHL, trailing only Minnesota Wild superstar Kirill Kaprizov.

NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported Dallas had another major transaction lined up if the Kraken deal had gone through.

The Stars were reportedly prepared to flip the seventh overall pick acquired from Seattle to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for emerging power forward Matthew Knies.

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Robertson's refusal to approve the trade prevented yet another blockbuster from materializing and would've moved a major player out of the Atlantic Division. 

Additional reporting by Daily Faceoff's Jeff Marek also revealed the St. Louis Blues made a significant push for the star winger, reportedly offering a package that included multiple first-round draft picks.

Robertson, however, was also unwilling to commit to signing long-term in St. Louis, effectively shutting down that proposal as well.

Robertson's willingness to turn down what would have been one of the richest contracts in NHL history suggests money may not be the driving force behind the current stalemate.

Instead, it appears the California native is placing a premium on remaining with a legitimate Stanley Cup contender and that reality could create a major obstacle for Detroit.

While the Red Wings have been linked to Robertson in recent weeks, they have not made the playoffs in a decade and may struggle to convince the elite winger to commit long-term.

Even if Detroit were able to work out a trade with Dallas, they would still have to satisfy Robertson's contract demands, with reports indicating his camp is seeking a deal worth upwards of $14 million per season.

Robertson is coming off another dominant campaign, scoring 45 goals and adding 51 assists for 96 points while playing all 82 regular-season games.

There's little doubt a player of his caliber would dramatically improve Detroit's chances of ending its lengthy playoff drought, but based on the latest reports, a deal between the Red Wings and Stars appears increasingly unlikely.

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The Chicago Blackhawks have been searching for the right top-line winger for Connor Bedard ever since he was the number one overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. 

There have been some successes, but there is another level of player that can be put with him. Instead of reaching for potential 30-goal scorers, Bedard is best suited for a winger who is capable of 40 goals and 80 points without it being a career year. 

It can be incredibly hard to find players like that; the Blackhawks would have one already if it were easy. However, one is available right now that teams are working to land. 

Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars is going to be paid anywhere in the $12-15 million per year range, whether it's with his current team or not. 

On Thursday night, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet confirmed that after permission to speak with the Seattle Kraken, Robertson turned down an 8-year deal worth $15 million annually. 

https://t.co/O1WP18i1Ap

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 26, 2026

There have been multiple reports that the Chicago Blackhawks have been in on this player, which makes sense from a hockey standpoint. Robertson and Bedard could each become 50-goal/100-point players alongside each other. 

This wouldn’t be an example of two snipe-only players getting together. That doesn’t always work. Bedard and Robertson are both forwards who can score goals, but are also capable of driving play. They would always look to find each other, while also knowing when it’s right to just shoot the puck themselves. 

There are many examples of elite players getting together on the same line and it not working, but this is different. They are both good enough at every aspect of offense to feed off each other well.

Robertson would have to see the vision that Chicago has as an up-and-coming team, and he'd have to be okay with the taxes that come with singing in Illinois as opposed to some of the no-tax states that have benefited NHL teams in recent years. 

The other issue is that it would cost not only a lot to extend him, but the Dallas Stars are going to get a massive haul in return. It will likely start with the 2 1st-round picks and a good player plus more. 

That is a lot for a team trying to come out of a rebuild to give up, but it is the cost of doing business in the NHL right now. Great players are fetching incredible returns on the market.

It may be time for the Blackhawks to show their players and season ticket holders that they are committed to winning. Trading for Robertson, regardless of what it costs, would do that. 

At 26-years-old, Robertson is one of the best wingers in the NHL and will be for a long time. In 2025-26, he had 45 goals and 51 assists for 96 points in 82 games played on an elite Stars team. It also marked the 4th consecutive year in which he didn't miss a single game.

That level of player isn't available every day, and that is the reason that the Blackhawks are not the only team involved. He fits a lot of teams, but there is no denying the greatness that could come of him playing on Connor Bedard's wing. 

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While it isn’t expected to be a big night for the Colorado Avalanche on Friday night for the opening round of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, Saturday might be a different story as the organization currently holds 10 picks on the second day of the draft including two top 100 picks starting with 43rd overall in the second round and 74th overall in the third round. Will Colorado make either of these picks or will they get moved in a draft weekend trade?

To begin the festivities, tonight the first round of the draft commences from Buffalo, NY. It will be televised on ESPN and ESPN+ beginning at 5 p.m. MT. Saturday morning rounds 2-7 start bright and early at 9 a.m. MT on NHL Network and ESPN+.

Since Sunday, FOUR first-round picks in the 2026 #NHLDraft have been dealt in FIVE different trades (No. 4, No. 9, No. 16, & No. 25)! 😳

Here's an updated look at the order of selection for Friday's first round!

Watch Round 1 of the 2026 Upper Deck #NHLDraft on June 26 at 7p… pic.twitter.com/AFodVTj0lB

— NHL (@NHL) June 24, 2026

There have been some major trades in the league leading up to this event and even more could be on tap before the weekend has concluded. Stay up to date with the NHL’s entire official draft order, which has been updated continually with the recent flurry of exchanges.

Follow along for a busy two days of action in the comments!

The Colorado Avalanche enter the 2026 NHL Draft with 10 selections, including Nos. 43, 74, 126, 128, 149, 152, 195, 214, 215, and 222.

After a stretch of aggressive roster maneuvering, Joe Sakic has steadily rebuilt Colorado’s draft capital as part of a broader reset of the organization’s prospect pipeline. Moves such as sending Ross Colton and Isak Posch to the Nashville Predators for two third-round picks, followed by the deal that sent star winger Valeri Nichushkin to the Columbus Blue Jackets for three additional selections, have significantly expanded the Avalanche’s draft flexibility heading into 2026.

Even after those moves, the Avalanche still have clear roster gaps to address. Chief among them is a need for added center depth and more physical presence down the middle.

43. Liam Lefebvre, C.

Lefebvre could come off the board before the Avalanche even get a chance to pick, but if he’s still available, Colorado should not hesitate. The Montreal native is a hard-charging, physical forward who can slide into multiple roles and contribute in different situations. He finished the season with 32 goals and 27 assists for 59 points in 59 regular-season games split between the Océanic and Saguenéens, and added 12 points in 20 playoff games.

If Lefebvre is gone, however, Colorado may pivot to Alessandro Di Iorio—and that wouldn’t be a downgrade. In many ways, Di Iorio could be an even cleaner fit within the Avalanche system. He brings a strong mix of speed, physical play, vision, and a dangerous shot, allowing him to impact the game in multiple ways. Over the years, Colorado has consistently leaned toward versatile forwards like Di Iorio, making him a natural target in their draft approach.

74. Lucas Ambrosio, D. 

Ambrosio profiles as a defensive-minded defenseman who moves well and still has some untapped potential on the offensive side of the puck. He has the skating ability to keep up with quicker forwards, while also bringing a large frame that allows him to close gaps and knock opponents off the puck.

For a Colorado blue line that could stand to get tougher, Ambrosio fits the mold. He brings a physical edge, plays with structure in his own zone, and projects as a steady, defensive presence.

126. Sawyer Dingman, LW. 

Dingman offers the kind of size that can't be taught. At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, the Edmonton, Alberta native plays a physical, north-south game while showing the skating ability and offensive tools to develop further. His upside made him a player worth watching throughout the draft process, finishing No. 145 on NHL Central Scouting's final rankings among North American skaters.

128. Giorgos Pantelas, D. 

Pantelas projects as a potential two-way defenseman with the tools to grow into a puck-moving role. He has decent skating ability and can contribute to transition play, including joining or leading rushes when given space. However, his skating still needs refinement before it reaches a reliable NHL level.

The biggest concern in his game is how he handles pressure. When facing an aggressive forecheck, he can get rushed into mistakes and will occasionally cough up possession in his own zone. Improving his decision-making and composure under pressure will be key to unlocking his full potential.

149. Dmitri Yakutsenak, C.

Yakutsenak's game is defined by his skating as well as his excellent puck control and sharp offensive instincts. At 6'1 and 201 pounds, Yakutsenak uses his size well on the ice to win board battles and is known for being effective on the power play from the bumper spot.

152. Joby Baumuller, LW. 

Baumuller is a hard-charging checking forward who excels in the forechecking role, using his positioning and hockey sense to disrupt opposing plays and force turnovers. His ability to read and react to breakouts is a key strength, as he consistently gets into effective lanes to take away time and space or steer his opponents into traps. Baumuller’s excellent stick work keeps defenders alert, and he frequently comes close to intercepting passes, adding pressure to the opposition’s breakout. This player has a little bit of Valeri Nichushkin and Devon Toews.

195. Michel Myloserdnyy, D. 

The Avalanche appear to be shifting toward a more physical identity this season, targeting players who make life difficult for opponents. Myloserdnyy fits that mold perfectly. At 18 years old, he already stands 6-foot-7 and weighs close to 230 pounds, and he doesn’t hesitate to engage physically or step into confrontations. He brings a clear edge to his game and projects as a heavy, intimidating presence on the ice.

214. Danil Sysoyev, C.

Sysoyev projects as a reliable two-way center with the tools to develop into an effective fourth-line player at the NHL level. He's strong in the faceoff circle, moves the puck well, and makes smart, simple plays with possession. While his offensive upside appears limited, his hockey IQ, passing ability, and defensive reliability give him a solid foundation

215. Adel Kalimullin, RW

Kalimullin plays with relentless energy and isn't afraid to throw his body around, delivering big open-ice hits while constantly pressuring opponents. He's an aggressive player who attacks with speed and creates offense through his motor, but his game can get rushed at times. As he continues to refine his puck-handling and learns to better control the pace of play, he should cut down on unnecessary mistakes and become a more consistent offensive threat.

222. Darian Anderson, RW.

Anderson profiles as a reliable depth forward who has a knack for slipping through defensive coverage and finding soft areas in coverage. He does a lot of his damage around the net, tracking down loose pucks and capitalizing on rebound opportunities that can swing momentum in tight games.

It’s Draft Day in the NHL, and this week has lived up to promises of years past from an entertainment standpoint. Tuesday was one of the most impactful landscape shakeup days in the history of the NHL, with four major trades finalized and the NHL coaching carousel finally coming to a stop for the time being. 

The Anaheim Ducks didn’t get in on the week’s trade action, but were able to re-sign young right-shot defenseman Ian Moore to a two-year, $1.15 million AAV contract. The Mason McTavish trade saga seems to be on the verge of a conclusion, but until then, here’s what some of the top NHL insiders have been reporting or speculating on when it comes to the Ducks this offseason. 

Ducks Sign Ian Moore to Two-Year Contract Extension

Anaheim Ducks 2026 Draft Preview

Mason McTavish

A McTavish trade seems imminent at this point in time. If a deal does go through, he’ll be the third straight former top-ten pick to take contract negotiations into a training camp following the expiration of his ELC, only to be eventually traded before that contract concluded. 

Anthony Di Marco from dailyfaceoff.com reported earlier in the week that the Calgary Flames and Philadelphia Flyers have either called or have been keeping tabs on McTavish’s availability.

“Among the teams who have called on McTavish are the Calgary Flames, Daily Faceoff was told. According to a team source, the Flames don’t feel like they have what the Ducks are looking for in exchange for McTavish; the same source said that Verbeek is looking to make ‘hockey deals,’” Di Marco reported in his column. 

“When speaking with an Eastern Conference executive, DFO was told McTavish’s value is not as high across the league as it was a season ago,” He continued

“One team who is believed to be keeping tabs on McTavish is the Philadelphia Flyers, who have been on the lookout to add a center all offseason. Despite McTavish playing on the wing for large stretches of last season, the Flyers believe he is a true center, according to a team source.”

It now seems the Ducks are deciding between two offers: one from the St. Louis Blues and one from the New York Rangers. Frank Seravalli first reported the Rangers’ involvement on Thursday evening, followed by TSN’s Pierre LeBrun and ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reporting that another offer was on the table from the Blues. 

SportsNet’s Elliotte Friedman furthered the reporting late Thursday night on his “32 Thoughts” podcast, when he hinted at potential pieces from each organization. 

“I think the Blues, one of the key parts of their offer, is the 11th overall pick, and the Rangers, it’s a player, I believe,” Friedman said. “I don’t want to guess the name of the player. I’m not sure”

Friedman went on to report Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek’s desire for win-now pieces as opposed to draft picks. 

“I don’t think the Ducks want picks. I think they want someone that can help them now,” Friedman continued/ “They’re in win-now mode. They want someone that can help them now. He (Verbeek) thinks he takes his time. So, we’re on his timetable, not ours. If I’m right about the St. Louis pick, the 11th overall pick, being the key part of their offer, I don’t think it’s necessarily something he wants to keep. So, if he does take the Blues offer, one of the things I think here, he might be saying, ‘Okay, I have the 11th pick, what can I do with it?’”

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen has connected McTavish to the Ottawa Senators throughout this process, reporting the organization’s interest. It appears now that the price has become too rich for the Sens. Friedman confirmed Garrioch’s report. 

“I don’t believe the Senators are in on McTavish. The asking price has gone up,” Garrioch reported on Twitter. 

“Ottawa, I heard, was in this. It was believed Ottawa had a lot of interest in Mason McTavish,” Friedman said. “There are a lot of ties in there. I think at the end of it, Verbeek liked what was being offered more from St. Louis and the Rangers.”

Defensemen

Last week, defenseman John Carlson relayed his intention to forgo re-signing with the Ducks after the organization traded for him at the 2026 trade deadline. It seems like the Tampa Bay Lightning are the frontrunners for Carlson, and fellow right-shot blueliners Radko Gudas and Jacob Trouba will likely join him in free agency. 

“Anaheim’s D, Carlson, is now going to market. I think a lot of people wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up in Tampa Bay,”  Friedman said. “Trouba, I think, is going to market, and it looks like Gudas is too. There was some talk about Gudas in Toronto. But I don’t think that’s going to be happening.”

Seravalli reported on Twitter that the Ducks are hoping to trade Carlson’s signing rights for a draft pick before the veteran defenseman hits the market. 

“Preference of the Ducks is to move the rights to John Carlson in exchange for a pick, but it sounds like the handful of teams interested in jumping the queue for the top free agent D have irons in the fire at the moment,” Seravalli tweeted.

Finally, the Ducks have been connected to Blues defenseman Colton Parayko since the trade deadline, but Seravalli reported via Twitter that the Blues have removed Parayko from the trade block and are no longer taking calls on him. 

“One player coming off the trade targets board today is Colton Parayko. The Blues have told inquiring teams Parayko is unavailable, same answer for Robert Thomas,” Seravalli said. 

Ducks Assistant GM Martin Madden on 2026 NHL Draft, Prospects & More

Revisiting the Ryan Poehling-Trevor Zegras Trade

The National Hockey League is set to host the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo, New York, over the course of the weekend. The first round will take place on Friday night, while the rest of the event will take place on Saturday. 

The Toronto Maple Leafs are currently on the clock for another day, as they will make the first overall pick. They will be followed by the San Jose Sharks, who won the second lottery spot. The Vancouver Canucks, who had finished in last place in the league in 2025-26, will round out the top three. 

Although the New Jersey Devils had a lackluster season, the 12th overall pick is a decent consolation prize. They may use the selection on a player that they believe will help them down the line, or they will trade it for immediate help. 

Surrounding New Jersey's selection are the 16 picks that were involved in the lottery. Lots of parts have already been moved through trades this week, and more are sure to follow. This is a mock of all those lottery picks, including New Jersey's selection at 12:

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

The Toronto Maple Leafs had one rough year and lucked into the top spot via the lottery. Now, they have the right to select Gavin McKenna, who has superstar NHL potential. 

2. San Jose Sharks - Ivar Stenberg, LW, Frolunda

After some moves made this week, the San Jose Sharks select Ivar Stenberg out of Sweden. They had some lottery luck once again, and now they have a legit star winger in the making coming to play with Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. 

3. Vancouver Canucks - Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford

The Vancouver Canucks could use some help down the middle of the ice in the short and long term. They address that need with their new head coach's son, Caleb Malhotra, at third overall. 

4. Buffalo Sabres via Chicago Blackhawks - Chase Reid, D, Sault St. Marie 

After trading Bowen Byram to the Chicago Blackhawks, the Buffalo Sabres have the fourth overall pick. With it, they use it on a defenseman in Chase Reid. One day, the hope for them will be that Reid is as good as Byram but much younger. 

5. New York Rangers - Carson Carels, D, Prince George

The New York Rangers have their pick of defensemen outside of Reid here, and they opt to go with Carsen Carels for a safer pick. 

6. Calgary Flames - Keaton Verhoeff, D, North Dakota 

The Calgary Flames need help everywhere, but they have a wonderful pipeline in the making. If Keaton Verhoeff, who has tremendous puck skills, can reach his potential at the pro level, the Flames will have an even brighter future. 

7. Seattle Kraken - Viggo Bjorck, RW, Djurgarden

The Seattle Kraken need a star with some offensive flair. They have had Artemi Panarin and Jason Robertson turn them down over the last couple of months, despite big money. Viggo Bjorck has that type of talent worth taking a risk on. 

8. Winnipeg Jets - Alberts Smits, D, Jujurit

The Winnipeg Jets have a wonderful ability to draft and develop defensemen. Alberts Smits, who is kind of a buffer to the next wave of blue-liners in the draft, makes great sense for the Jets organization. 

9. San Jose Sharks via Ottawa Senators via Florida Panthers - Daxon Rudolph, D, Prince Albert 

This pick has had its fair share of movement. It was supposed to belong to the Chicago Blackhawks, but then the Florida Panthers protected it by being in the bottom ten. Then, they traded it to the Ottawa Senators for Brady Tkachuk, who flipped it to the San Jose Sharks for William Eklund. If they use the second overall pick on a forward, which all signs point to, they are likely to use the ninth pick on a defenseman. Daxon Rudolph would be great for their organization. 

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

The Nashville Predators take Tynan Lawrence here, who was once a top-three pick possibility. Boston University wasn't as smooth a transition for him, so his stock fell a little bit. A team like Nashville would love to take him on as a project who could become a star forward. 

11. St. Louis Blues - Oscar Hemming, RW, Boston College 

The St. Louis Blues have four picks in the first round, and three of them are in the lottery portion of the draft. They could go with any position at any time, especially with the needs that they have. Boston College forward Oscar Hemming is the selection for them here. With Jordan Kyrou gone, they will need eventual help up front. 

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

The New Jersey Devils are, as currently constructed, a team designed to use their speed and skill. They didn’t score a lot of goals in 2025-26, and they’d like to stock their pipeline with players who can help them be a fast team over the course of the next few years. Wyatt Cullen is someone who fits that mold as a prospect. It will take some time to become a full-time NHL player, but he is worth considering if the Devils don’t trade the pick. 

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

The New York Islanders made two incredible picks in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft, headlined by rookie superstar Matthew Schaefer. Now, they can follow that up with a great selection in Ethan Belchetz of the Windsor Spitfires. 

14. Columbus Blue Jackets - Alexander Command, C, Orebro HK

The Columbus Blue Jackets have a lot of question marks within their organization, including Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Zach Werenski. For now, however, a forward in Alexander Command could help them brighten their future. 

15. St. Louis Blues via Detroit Red Wings - Malte Gustafsson, LD, HV71

The St. Louis Blues make their second of three picks within the top 16 using the 15th overall pick acquired in the Justin Faulk deal. Malte Gustafsson, a defenseman, helps them re-stock their prospects at the position as they retool. 

16. St. Louis Blues via Washington Capitals - Ryan Lin, D, Vancouver

Making consecutive picks is scheduled to be the reality for the Blues, as they also hold 16 from the aforementioned Jordan Kyrou deal. Another defenseman makes sense for them, and this time it's Ryan Lin. 

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One of the biggest questions facing the Detroit Red Wings amidst the ongoing saga with the trade request from captain Dylan Larkin is what kind of package they'll receive in return. 

Speculation has ranged everywhere from getting NHL ready players and prospects in return to simply getting a futures-driven package of draft capital, the latter of which would do nothing to help Detroit in the short-term. 

In recent days, it has been reported that the Dallas Stars have emerged as a potential frontrunner for Larkin, and the most obvious return request that GM Steve Yzerman could ask from former Red Wings assistant GM Jim Nill are the rights to pending RFA forward Jason Robertson. 

However, acquiring Robertson and getting him signed to a new contract that Yzerman would be comfortable with may prove difficult.

According to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, Robertson rejected a contract offer from the Seattle Kraken, whom he was granted permission to speak with, that would have paid him $15 million annually over eight years. 

Jason Robertson has rejected an 8-year, $15mil AAV contract offer from the Seattle Kraken, per @FriedgeHNIC

The Stars granted Robertson permission to speak with Seattle pic.twitter.com/zWaltpdP9g

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 26, 2026

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An annual salary of $15 million would have made Robertson the second-highest paid player in the NHL behind only Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov, who now earns $17 million per season, and ahead of Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl, who earns $14 million annually. 

Meanwhile, the Stars themselves are experiencing difficulties in signing their three-time 40-goal scorer. According to ESPN's Emily Kaplan, Robertson rejected a contract that would have paid him $12 million annually, the same AAV that star forward Mikko Rantanen is now earning. 

"According to one NHL source, the Stars had offered Robertson a contract of eight years with $12 million AAV, which would match the contract they handed Mikko Rantanen after acquiring the winger from the Hurricanes," Kaplan reported. 

What's more, Robertson also reportedly rejected a move that would have sent him to the St. Louis Blues, as he's allegedly not interested in joining them.

Sources indicating the St Louis Blues offered a package that included multiple first round picks to the Dallas Stars for Jason Robertson but he is not interested in signing there.

— Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) June 26, 2026

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The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that they've re-signed forward Mikael Pyyhtia.

The deal is a two-year extension and will be a one-way NHL deal for the 2027-28 season. Getting a one-way deal in the final year is huge for the young Finn. 

Per a CBJ PR release, "Mikael is a versatile, two-way forward who brings speed, energy and competitiveness to the lineup,” said Waddell. “He was very good in Cleveland last season, and we are excited about his future."

Pyyhtia has 5 goals and 11 points in 71 NHL games for the CBJ. 

---

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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BUFFALO, NY -- It was about a year ago when the New York Islanders traded pending restricted free agent defenseman Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for forward Emil Heineman, and the No. 16 and No. 17 in the 2025 NHL Draft.

BREAKING: Islanders Trade Noah Dobson To Montreal Canadiens<b>LOS ANGELES</b> -- The<a href="http://thn.com/isles"> New York Islanders</a> have traded defenseman<a href="https://www.theelmonters.com/p/noah-dobson-trade-new-york-islanders"> Noah Dobson</a> to the<a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens"> Montreal Canadiens</a>, first reported by Kevin Weekes.

The trade occurred after Dobson and first-year general manager Mathieu Darche could not come to terms on a contract extension. Although Dobson didn't have any trade protection, he had all the leverage given that he would only move to a team that he was interested in signing with. 

Dobson was believed to be asking for something in the $10 million range from the Islanders, but ended up signing an eight-year deal worth $9.5 million annually in Montreal. 

Flash-forward a year later and the Dallas Stars find themselves in the same situation with pending RFA forward Jason Robertson. 

The 26-year-old goal scorer, who just concluded the final season of a four-year deal worth $7.75 million, turned down an eight-year extension worth $12 million annually.

While Dallas is hoping they can still bring him back, time is ticking and other teams are lining up. 

The St. Louis Blues, who own four first-round picks in this draft, were told no by Robertson's camp. 

The Seattle Kraken, who have been trying to go big-game hunting for a few years now, were given permission to speak with Robertson, but he turned down $15 million annually on an eight-year deal. 

I believe Dobson turned down extensions with the Boston Bruins and the Columbus Blue Jackets before the Islanders sent him to Canada.

While there's been some chatter that the asking price for Robertson is similar to the one that Dallas sent to the Carolina Hurricanes for Mikko Rantanen -- Logan Stankoven, a conditiional 2026 first-round pick, a conditional 2028 first-round pick, a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 third-round pick -- I was told that isn't accurate.

The accurate ask is what the Colorado Avalanche got for Rantanen when they sent him to the Hurricanes -- Martin Necas, Jack Drury, a 2025 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-round pick. 

It doesn't sound like Dallas wants futures, but impact players given that they are a Stanley Cup contender and would like to stay that way, with or without Robertson. 

One would expect that every team has called Stars general manager Jim Nill regarding Roberston, including the New York Islanders.

However, the Islanders are a team that doesn't have an impact winger to send back the other way -- not many teams do. 

On June 26 and 27, the 2026 NHL Draft will take place at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY. This year, the Calgary Flames have 10 picks, with plenty of cap space and draft currency to make a move or two, either to move up or to acquire another player to assist in the rebuild.

For Flames fans everywhere, The Hockey News is the place to follow the team's moves at the draft. Whether it's news about their latest pick or post-draft analysis, everything you need will be below and updated as the event unfolds.

As always, join in the conversation to let us know where you are watching the NHL Draft, and provide your opinions about General Manager Craig Conroy's move over the weekend. 

The first night of 2026 NHL Draft will be available on ESPN, Sportsnet, and TVA Sports. On Saturday, for rounds two through seven, coverage will be available on EPSN+, NHL Network, and Sportsnet.

Flames 2026 Draft Selections

• 6th Overall
• 30th Overall (from Vegas)
• 36th Overall
• 51st Overall (from Utah)
• 55th Overall (from Utah/Ottawa)
• 65th Overall (from Vancouver)
• 68th Overall
• 100th Overall
• 132nd Overall
• 164th Overall

The Hockey News Draft Coverage

- Could Viggo Bjork Be the Calgary Flames' Pick at No. 6 Overall? 

- Flames Projected to Select Verhoeff in PuckPedia's PuckGM Mock Draft

- Craig Conroy Just Revealed Calgary's NHL Draft Strategy - And It Changes Everything

- Why The Flames' 2026 Draft Could Quietly Accelerate Their Rebuild Faster Than Expected

- Former First-Round Picks Who Could Define the Calgary Flames' Rebuild

- Calgary Flames Prospects Who Could Earn NHL Ice Time in 2026-27

- Flames Make Surprise First-Round Pick in Sportnet's Bold Predictions

- 2026 NHL Draft: Five Prospects the Calgary Flames Should Consider at No. 6

- Flames Projected to Take E.J. McGuire Award Winner Alberts Smits in Latest Mock Draft

- Where Are They Now? Revisiting Conroy's Flames Draft Picks

- Flames Add Blue-Line Talent in Latest Mock NHL Draft

- 2026 NHL Draft: Is It Possible for Calgary to Trade Up to Second Overall?

- Flames Set to Pick No. 6 Overall in 2026 NHL Draft

Mock Drafts

- Bleacher Report 

- ESPN

- NHL.com

- PuckPedia

- Elite Prospects

- The Athletic

Top Prospects 

Rankings based on Sportsnet's final rankings, released on June 17, 2026

1. Gavin McKenna (LW)
2. Ivar Stenberg (LW)
3. Chase Reid (RD)
4. Caleb Malhotra (C)
5. Carson Carels (LD)
6. Viggo Bjorck (RW)
7. Keaton Verhoeff (RD)
8. Daxon Rudolph (RD)
9. Alberts Smits (LD)
10. Ethan Belchetz (LW)
11. Malte Gustafsson (LD)
12. Wyatt Cullen (LW)
13. Alexander Comman (C)
14. Tynan Lawrence (C)
15. Ryan Lin (RD)
16. Elton Hermansson (RW)
17. Oscar Hemming (LW)
18. Nikita Klepov (RW)
19. Adam Novotny (LW)
20. J. P. Hurlbert (LW)
21. Ilia Morozov (C)
22. Maddox Dagenais (C)
23. Tommy Bleyl (RD)
24. WIlliam Hakansson (LD)
25. Oliver Suvanto (C)
26. Xavier Villeneuve (LD)
27. Simas Ignatavicius (RW)
28. Nikita Shcherbakov (LD)
29. Egor Shilov (C)
30. Tobias Trejbal (G)
31. Maksim Sokolovskii (LD)
32. Liam Ruck (RW)

On June 23, 2017, Cody Glass became the answer to the trivia question: Who did the Vegas Golden Knights select with their first pick in franchise history?

Taking off his black suit jacket, Glass grabbed an Adidas Golden Knights hat and put it on before shaking the hand of Gary Bettman, commissioner of the National Hockey League. Watching him walk across the stage at the United Center and pose for those first photos with the Vegas brass, one wouldn’t know the panic he felt on his journey to Chicago, Illinois.

“I remember my flight got canceled the day or two days before the draft,” Glass told The Hockey News. “I almost missed all the media availabilities. I was panicking. I ended up making it just in time. My dad ended up getting me there.

“It was a crazy, crazy experience.”

Glass was selected in the first round, sixth overall. He was drafted five spots after his now teammate, Nico Hischier, was selected first overall by the New Jersey Devils.

“It is really cool just getting to experience that with your family,” Glass recalled. “You watch it as a kid growing up, and it is really cool to experience it. When I got drafted to Vegas, it was a brand-new team, so I thought oh, brand new start.

"But at the end of the day, it is the opportunity you get with the team, and what you do after the draft that really matters," he continued.

Glass spent two seasons playing hockey in Vegas before he was traded at 21, when the Golden Knights sent him to the Nashville Predators. After spending three years in Music City, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins before landing in New Jersey in March 2025.

The 26-year-old will be the first to admit that there is an expectation to make an immediate impact, especially offensively, when a player is picked high in the draft, saying, “I think there is elevated pressure just producing and all that kind of stuff.”

“They said they needed offense, and I kind of chucked a little bit. I was on the fourth line, playing PK.”

This was one of my favorite moments from yesterday's #NJDevils exit interviews. Keep in mind Cody Glass scored a career high of 19 goals this season. pic.twitter.com/g2d32nFtSh

— Kristy Flannery (@InStilettos_NHL) April 16, 2026

He has now concluded his seventh season in the NHL, and during the team’s 2025-26 exit interviews, spoke about how his role on the Devils helped propel him to a successful campaign.

“I had a really good sit-down with (head coach Sheldon Keefe) on my first day here, and he just told me he believed in me, and he told me exactly what my role was going to be, and he told me not to worry about anything else,” he said. "I never had that conversation before in my career, and so I kind of rolled with it. I knew what was expected, and I didn't have to worry about putting up points or being someone I wasn't.”

Last season, Glass scored a career-high 19 goals, finding success on the team’s third line with rookies Lenni Hämeenaho and Arseny Gritsyuk. A critical depth piece, the Winnipeg native made the most of his 13 minutes of ice time.

Glass may not be the top-six player some projected in 2017, but over time, he has carved out an important role for himself, one where his absence is immediately noticed if he is not on the ice. Part of that evolution was accepting that value can be found throughout an NHL lineup.

“At the end of the day, now that I look back on (everything), I wish I had the mindset I do now,” Glass said. “Everybody needs a role, and there are different opportunities for different people. You can help a team win in different ways. I look at our team now, and having Hischier and (Jack Hughes), two centers that I am not going to be them. It is more about what can I do to help them out and let them be better.”

Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

The Buffalo Sabres reportedly have one of the NHL's top trade candidates on their radar.

The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta recently shared that he believes that the Sabres have inquired about Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies. 

"Some late evening chatter: Belief Sabres inquired about Knies," Pagnotta posted on X.

With the Sabres moving on from Alex Tuch, there is no question that they could use another top six winger to replace him. When noting that Knies is a high-impact power forward like Tuch, it makes a lot of sense that the Sabres are reportedly interested in him. 

If the Sabres managed to land Knies, he would have the potential to be a perfect fit on their first line with Tage Thompson and Zach Benson. He would also be a long-term addition for the Sabres, as he has a $7.75 million cap hit through the 2030-31 season.

However, with Knies being a 23-year-old top-six forward with a good contract, the Maple Leafs are going to expect a serious offer for them to even consider moving him. The Sabres have this year's fourth-overall pick after trading Bowen Byram to the Chicago Blackhawks, and that would be a good starting point for a potential trade package. 

Kyle Dubas often talks about urgency and wanting to push the Penguins towards being as strong as they can be now and in the future. Somehow wrangling three-time 40+ goal scorer Jason Robertson out of Dallas would be the biggest and best move Dubas could make, provided he could pull it off.

Some late evening chatter:
– Belief Sabres inquired about Knies
– Penguins, Blackhawks, Mammoth among other teams interested in Robertson
– Teams calling Flames on Frost, Whitecloud
– Oilers have discussed Nurse talks, and goalie search today
– Some teams curious about DeBrincat

— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) June 26, 2026

Any tidbit is nice enough this time of year, and which team wouldn’t be at least somewhat ‘interested’ in a player the caliber of Robertson? To a degree that should apply to just about any and everyone.

An item that gives pause is think about the amount of reported interest that the Penguins had in any of the following names prior to their trade acquisition: Egor Chinakhov, Sam Girard, Connor Dewar, Stuart Skinner, Elmer Soderblom, Arturs Silovs, heck even yesterday’s pick up of Hendrix Lapierre. The answer is zero, almost every trade the Pens have made recently has come with little early forewarning or a build up of expectations via reports getting out to the media. Conversely, plenty of players linked to the Penguins in the rumor mill have not ended up with completed transactions (though the protracted saga of Erik Karlsson back in 2023 is one example).

So take that’s for what it’s worth.

There’s other areas of concern about the reality of dealing for Robertson. Namely two big issues. One: does he even want to make a long-term contract in Pittsburgh? Two: what does Dallas want in a trade?

Starting with the last part first, Dallas is still in control of the situation. They apparently can’t get Robertson to agree to a contract themselves, but the Stars hold all the cards for now. What is a rival team going to do, send an offer sheet that would require four unprotected first round picks to sign him away? Not likely. First things first, if a team wants Robertson, they are going to have to give Dallas enough value to have them sign off on it, and it’s going to have to be a lot. The Stars are a club that recently gave up two first round picks and a quality youngster in Logan Stankoven to acquire Mikko Rantanen just last year, they’re well aware of the price of operating in this area. Their manager Jim Nill didn’t win the NHL’s GM of the year award three years in a row from 2022-25 due to making foolish moves.

Second, Robertson’s signability has to be in question. The Seattle Kraken reportedly did offer the Stars enough value (believed to include the seventh overall pick in tonight’s draft) but Robertson turned down the Kraken’s contract offer of approximately $15 million over eight years. Saying no to about $120 million makes a major statement – at that point this isn’t a money motivated case and his next spot will have to do with career aspirations. Whether or not Robertson thinks he could accomplish those goals with the Pens and an almost 39-year old Sidney Crosby is questionable at best. There’s a reason why every big player is open to going to the same teams like Florida and Vegas, and it’s not all because of nice weather, low taxes and being left alone by fans/media — can’t remember too many players that wanted to be traded to the Panthers 10 or 15 years ago when all the other factors were still the same besides their on-ice irrelevance. Players today, more than ever, are tending to angle themselves towards joining a team where they think they have a very good chance to win the next Stanley Cup. That isn’t seen as Seattle, and Pittsburgh is a lot more Seattle than they are Vegas/Florida.

So, all that to say, Robertson to the Penguins is a fun dream but doesn’t line up to make a lot of sense. The Pens probably aren’t moving the needle that much by offering, say, Rickard Rakell, the 22nd pick tonight, a first round pick in 2027 and other modest chips like second round picks and B-level prospects. Robertson rebuking Seattle’s massive contract shows it’ll be an uphill climb to earn his signature for a franchise with a mid-level outlook for championship contention in the short-term. Most names that get tied to Pittsburgh these days end up being rumors that fall short of the finish line, and the moves that do get made have tended to come out of nowhere with no warning or lead up.

Add it all up and while it wouldn’t hurt to make the attempt (or hope one is made), it’s probably not something that will end up happening for a myriad of reasons. It doesn’t hurt to try but file this one as very skeptical at best.

June 26th and June 27th the NHL will hold its draft. A few days after the NBA saw no Spartans drafted, the NHL draft could be quite the opposite. The Spartans icemen ended another promising season in disappointment and have more roster turnover than they’ve seen in a few years. The good news, is there are some top tier talented guys headed to East Lansing and many will see their name called on Friday night. Here’s a quick look at who to keep an eye on in the draft.

First and foremost potential top four pick, Chase Reid. Reid is a defensemen who is considered to be the best in a deep draft of defensemen. Reid is scouted as having vision, skating, and puck moving ability to be elite. His skill set could see him on a similar trajectory as Martone and only playing one season in East Lansing before going to the big stage. As a Blackhawks fan I thought there was a chance that he’d be drafted there to play opposite another former Spartan, Levshunov. However, the Hawks traded that number 4 pick to Buffalo and it looks like Reid will potentially head there. If he doesn’t go four he won’t get by the Rangers at five.

Speaking of Martone, MSU has his heir apparent lined up in Ethan Belchetz. He’s a beast in the paint and nearly impossible to control, which is very much like Martone. He’s 18 years old and 6’5, 230 and he’s got some bite too. He needs to improve on his skating some, but he is another that could be in the NHL after a year. Mock Drafts have him headed to New Jersey at 12 but I could see Nashville or St Louis grabbing him at 10 or 11.

Right Winger, Nikita Keplov is the next Spartan likely to go in the first. He turns 18 on Saturday and has been compared to Patrick Kane with his ability to score. He had 97 points in his first OHL season with 37 goals and, like Kane, won the scoring title as a rookie. He’s small at just 6′, 180 but is a very good skater and scouts are in love with his hockey IQ. He could go as early as Washington at 18 or still be around for the Canucks at 24 but I’m going to guess Pittsburgh at 22.

Jack Hextall and Brooks Rogowski are two more Spartans who could squeeze in at the tail end of the first. Rogowski isn’t slated to hit E.L. until 2027, but he’s been moving up mock draft charts and is being looked at by St Louis and Montreal. He’s 18 years old, 6’7 and 235. He’s a center who actually skates well for his size. He’s one of the biggest in the draft class. He’s a good puck protector on the boards but needs to develop a bit more. Specifically in the passing game and his vision for developing plays. He has a ton of upside though and will fit right in with Nightingale’s plans.

Jack Hextall is another 18 year old center. He has shown consistency is improving his game. He’s known for finding open lanes and is becoming a more viable scoring threat. He averaged nearly a point a game last season in the USHL. Hextall is seen in mock drafts heading to Stanley Cup Champs, Carolina Hurricanes. He fits into their prospect needs and would potentially be coached by a former Spartan in Brind’Amour.

I think one thing is clear with MSU Hockey and that is players and NHL teams believe in Nightingale and his staff and their ability to develop kids into NHL ready talent. TOC readers, where do you see these future Spartans headed? Will Reid sneak up to two or three? I don’t know about you, but with all the upheaval and disappointments coming out of East Lansing, it feels good to see some positive upside headed to town.