Category: NHL

They say everything is bigger in Texas, and that could include the NHL’s footprint in the Lone Star State. 

The NHL is exploring the expansion process in Texas, as Houston and Austin are being eyed as potential cities to land a franchise. The matter was discussed at the NHL’s board of governors meeting in Manhattan on Tuesday. 

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told reporters that the league has been in conversations with the Friedkin family about a potential expansion team in Houston or Austin for two years, according to ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun. 

Bettman said that Houston and Austin would need new arenas as part of any expansion bid and the expansion fee would be a whopping $3.5 billion if it happens in either city. 

The NHL will take its time before making a decision and Bettman said it would take a six-month process to make up its mind whether it will go forward with expansion in one of those markets. Dallas has been home to the Stars since the franchise relocated from Minnesota in 1993, 

Canadiens owner Geoff Molson, a member of the NHL’s board of governors executive committee, told reporters, according to ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski, that expansion in Texas is “just an exploration at this stage and it’s an important decision.” 

Dan Friedkin, whose net worth is estimated at $10.3 billion per Bloomberg, emerged as a possible ownership option last year when he was written about by ESPN. 

Friedkin is the CEO of The Friedkin Group, a conglomerate that has its hands in everything from Toyota distributors to award-winning resorts, according to the company’s website. 

The company is based in Houston and Friedkin already has a growing portfolio of sports assets through Pursuit Sports, which is a company dedicated to TFG’s sports properties. 

The company owns Italian soccer club AS Roma in Serie A and The Friedkin Group took majority control of Premier League club Everton. 

“Pursuit Sports, our family’s global sports ownership and operating platform, has reached an agreement with the NHL that provides us with the exclusive rights to bring an expansion NHL team to the State of Texas, with a primary focus on both Austin and Houston as potential markets,” the Friedkin family told the Houston Chronicle in a statement. 

“Each city brings unique attributes that would make a new team a huge success — both have the infrastructure, passionate fan bases, and economic strength needed to support a championship-caliber franchise for years to come.

“We have wanted for some time to bring an NHL team to Texas, and we are excited that the process has now begun. Selecting a new market for an NHL franchise is a special and important responsibility, and we are grateful to the league for their faith in us and their support. Working with Commissioner [Gary] Bettman and the NHL, we will undertake a principled, disciplined, and methodical process to ensure we find the right long-term home for this new franchise.”

Houston is the biggest market in the United States or Canada that does not have a pro hockey team, and was home to the American Hockey League’s Houston Aeros until the team relocated to Des Moines, Iowa, in 2013.

The Devils have made a move ahead of this week’s NHL Draft.

New Jersey sent defenseman Simon Nemec and winger Maxim Tsyplakov to the Calgary Flames in exchange for a prospect and a package of draft picks.

The first of those selections is the Rangers’ second rounder for this year, and the other two are conditional top-10 protected first-round picks via the Golden Knights and Avalanche. 

The Devils now hold six picks in this year’s draft, and a total of five first rounders over the next three years. 

Nemec landed in New Jersey as the second overall pick in the 2022 Draft. 

He played parts of three seasons after debuting with the club and is coming off his best statistical campaign to this point, finishing with 11 goals and 15 assists over 68 games. 

The 22-year-old RFA is set to receive a big payday this summer. 

Tsyplakov appeared in just 22 games down the stretch with the Devils after being acquired from the Islanders as part of the return for Ondrej Palat ahead of the trade deadline. 

Etienne Morin, the prospect sent to New Jersey, is a 22-year-old d-man who skated in 42 AHL games last season.

The Devils have made a move ahead of this week’s NHL Draft.

New Jersey sent defenseman Simon Nemec and winger Maxim Tsyplakov to the Calgary Flames in exchange for a prospect and a package of draft picks.

The first of those selections is the Rangers’ second rounder for this year, and the other two are conditional top-10 protected first-round picks via the Golden Knights and Avalanche. 

The Devils now hold six picks in this year’s draft, and a total of five first rounders over the next three years. 

Nemec landed in New Jersey as the second overall pick in the 2022 Draft. 

He played parts of three seasons after debuting with the club and is coming off his best statistical campaign to this point, finishing with 11 goals and 15 assists over 68 games. 

The 22-year-old RFA is set to receive a big payday this summer. 

Tsyplakov appeared in just 22 games down the stretch with the Devils after being acquired from the Islanders as part of the return for Ondrej Palat ahead of the trade deadline. 

Etienne Morin, the prospect sent to New Jersey, is a 22-year-old d-man who skated in 42 AHL games last season.

One of the Montreal Canadiens' top goals this off-season should be to bring in another right-shot defenseman. 

Unfortunately for the Habs, one of the top right-shot defenseman trade candidates is no longer a potential option for them. 

This is because the Calgary Flames have acquired defenseman Simon Nemec from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for the Vegas Golden Knights' 2027 first-round pick, the Colorado Avalanche's 2028 first-round pick, the New York Rangers' 2026 second-round pick, and defenseman Etienne Morin. The Flames also added forward Maxim Tsyplakov from the Devils in the deal. 

With Nemec being a 22-year-old right-shot defenseman with high potential, he would have had the potential to be an excellent addition to the Canadiens' roster. He could have fit very nicely in the Canadiens' young core, but alas, he is heading to the Flames instead. 

With Nemec no longer available, the Canadiens will need to consider other options if they hope to land a new right-shot defenseman this off-season. The top right-shot defenseman trade candidates right now are Dougie Hamilton, Braden Schneider, and Rasmus Ristolainen. This year's top pending UFA options currently are John Carlson, Rasmus Andersson, and Jacob Trouba. 

One of the Montreal Canadiens' top goals this off-season should be to bring in another right-shot defenseman. 

Unfortunately for the Habs, one of the top right-shot defenseman trade candidates is no longer a potential option for them. 

This is because the Calgary Flames have acquired defenseman Simon Nemec from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for the Vegas Golden Knights' 2027 first-round pick, the Colorado Avalanche's 2028 first-round pick, the New York Rangers' 2026 second-round pick, and defenseman Etienne Morin. The Flames also added forward Maxim Tsyplakov from the Devils in the deal. 

With Nemec being a 22-year-old right-shot defenseman with high potential, he would have had the potential to be an excellent addition to the Canadiens' roster. He could have fit very nicely in the Canadiens' young core, but alas, he is heading to the Flames instead. 

With Nemec no longer available, the Canadiens will need to consider other options if they hope to land a new right-shot defenseman this off-season. The top right-shot defenseman trade candidates right now are Dougie Hamilton, Braden Schneider, and Rasmus Ristolainen. This year's top pending UFA options currently are John Carlson, Rasmus Andersson, and Jacob Trouba. 

Bigger trade now an option after Sharks deal William Eklund for No. 9 draft pick originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

• Editor’s note: Sheng Peng is a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.

What’s next for the Sharks after trading William Eklund to the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday?

The Sharks dealt Eklund, along with prospects Kasper Halttunen and Brandon Svoboda, to the Senators for the No. 9 overall pick of the 2026 NHL Draft.

So why did the Sharks move on from the popular winger?

It doesn’t feel like general manager Mike Grier is done. On the surface, it doesn’t make sense for a team that’s trying to get back into the playoff picture to trade an established and improving 23-year-old winger in Eklund for just a draft pick, however high, especially when there are clear holes on the Sharks’ blueline.

At the moment, the Sharks have just two blueliners signed, veteran Dmitry Orlov and sophomore Sam Dickinson, and a couple RFAs in Michael Kesselring and Shakir Mukhamadullin.

So using that No. 9 pick for some defensive help right now makes sense.

It is San Jose Hockey Now’s understanding that the Sharks had “lots of interest” in top-pairing defenseman Bowen Byram, who was dealt after the Eklund trade.

The Buffalo Sabres sent Byram, 25, and cap-dump bottom-six winger Jordan Greenway to the Chicago Blackhawks for the No. 4 and 45 picks, and 24-year-old defenseman Louis Crevier.

At this time, SJHN can’t confirm if the Sharks had offered the No. 9 overall pick for Byram. But obviously, the No. 4 overall trumps that. And while San Jose also possesses the No. 2 overall, that’s probably too rich an asset to surrender for Byram, not considered a true-blue No. 1 defenseman, especially with winger Ivar Stenberg likely on the board right there, if the Toronto Maple Leafs make Gavin McKenna the No. 1 overall pick, as expected.

Back to Eklund: The No. 7 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft had developed into a consistent 15-goal and 50-point winger, and at just 23, he certainly had lots of room to grow.

But the 5-foot-10 winger didn’t take the leap in his development expected of him this past season, which perhaps made him just a little more expendable than the rest of the Sharks’ deep cadre of talented forwards.

The presence of a talent like winger Stenberg at the No. 2 pick probably also made Eklund a little more expendable. Stenberg is coming off one of the most productive campaigns in SHL and World Championships history for a first-time draft-eligible, and is expected to be NHL-ready immediately.

So Grier packaged Eklund and a couple of solid but unremarkable prospects in Halttunen and Svoboda to acquire a very valuable and liquid asset in the No. 9 pick.

A smaller winger like Eklund, however skilled, isn’t every team’s cup of tea, but everybody likes a top-10 draft pick.

And even if Grier can’t flip that No. 9 pick for some defensive help by the draft this weekend, whoever he selects there will be a very valuable asset who hasn’t peaked in value, unlike Eklund, whose value, arguably, could be at the beginning of its decline after his up-and-down year.

We’ll see if Eklund can bounce back with the Senators next season. The talented and competitive winger is a good bet to do so.

But now, the Sharks are armed with the No. 2, No. 9, and No. 27 picks in the 2026 draft. Just speculating, but could No. 9 be a centerpiece in a trade for Vancouver Canucks blueliner Filip Hronek?

San Jose will have to add more to land Hronek, for sure. Like Byram, Hronek is thought of, ideally, as more of a strong two-way No. 2 defenseman on a playoff-caliber team.

The right-hander, 28, is older than Byram, and he’s got a full No Movement Clause. Hronek has not signaled that he wants to leave Vancouver, but the last-place Canucks have made clear that they are entering a rebuild.

Hronek is signed at a very reasonable $7.25 million AAV until 2032, unlike Byram, who is set to become a UFA in 2027.

On the balance, a Hronek package would probably resemble Byram’s, with the Sharks having to make up the difference between the No. 4 and 9 selections by dipping again into their deep prospects pool and/or also including the No. 27.

Multiple league sources, including three NHL scouts, agreed that the No. 9 was a suitable centerpiece for a defenseman of Hronek’s quality.

“It’s a good starting point, for sure.”

The white whale could also be out there for Grier.

There’s credible chatter that reigning Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski could be available this offseason.

The Columbus Blue Jackets superstar is 28, set to be a UFA in the summer of 2028, so he comes with some flight risk.

Werenski will also hit 30, when, in theory, complementary potential stars like Will Smith and Igor Chernyshov and Michael Misa are in their primes.

But Grier, when asked on Tuesday morning about the age range that he’s considering, if he takes a “big swing” via trade this summer, gave what could be considered a telling answer.

“Ideally, someone in their mid-20’s, early-to-mid 20’s, who’s been in the league a little bit, got through the growing pains, and you have a pretty good idea what that player is and what they can bring to the organization,” Grier said. “Someone who’s been in the league a little bit, so whether that’s 22, 23 to 27, 28 somewhere in there.”

Just speculating: Would you offer the No. 2 and 9 picks to the Blue Jackets, to start, for Werenski?

These are the kinds of doors that trading Eklund could open for the Sharks … will Grier walk through?

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ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Blues have traded Jordan Kyrou to the Washington Capitals for forward Connor McMichael, the No. 16 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, and forward Milton Gastrin, a 2025 second-round pick.

It brings an end to Kyrou's career with the Blues, who selected the forward with the 35th pick in the 2016 Draft (second round). 

The 28-year-old has five years remaining on a contract that pays $8.125 million average annual value and a full no-trade clause, so he had to approve the move to D.C. There is no salary retained by the Blues in the trade, and they currently hold four picks in the first round this year (No. 11, 15, 16 and 29).

Last season, Kyrou played in 72 games and had 46 points (18 goals, 28 assists). In 488 regular-season games played over eight NHL seasons, Kyrou had 378 points (168 goals, 210 assists).

McMichael, 25, played in 78 games for Washington last season and had 46 points (14 goals, 32 assists). In six seasons for the Capitals, he had 154 points (67 goals, 87 assists).

McMichael, a first-round pick in 2019 (No. 25), is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights; he had a career year in 2024-25 with 57 points and 26 goals.

Gastrin, 19, was originally drafted by the Capitals with the 37th pick in 2025.

He played played last season for MoDo Hockey in the Swedish Hockey League and had 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists) in 39 games.

Blues general manager Doug Armstrong will address the trade on Wednesday at 11 a.m.

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ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Blues have traded Jordan Kyrou to the Washington Capitals for forward Connor McMichael, the No. 16 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, and forward Milton Gastrin, a 2025 second-round pick.

It brings an end to Kyrou's career with the Blues, who selected the forward with the 35th pick in the 2016 Draft (second round). 

The 28-year-old has five years remaining on a contract that pays $8.125 million average annual value and a full no-trade clause, so he had to approve the move to D.C. There is no salary retained by the Blues in the trade, and they currently hold four picks in the first round this year (No. 11, 15, 16 and 29).

Last season, Kyrou played in 72 games and had 46 points (18 goals, 28 assists). In 488 regular-season games played over eight NHL seasons, Kyrou had 378 points (168 goals, 210 assists).

McMichael, 25, played in 78 games for Washington last season and had 46 points (14 goals, 32 assists). In six seasons for the Capitals, he had 154 points (67 goals, 87 assists).

McMichael, a first-round pick in 2019 (No. 25), is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights; he had a career year in 2024-25 with 57 points and 26 goals.

Gastrin, 19, was originally drafted by the Capitals with the 37th pick in 2025.

He played played last season for MoDo Hockey in the Swedish Hockey League and had 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists) in 39 games.

Blues general manager Doug Armstrong will address the trade on Wednesday at 11 a.m.

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.

It's become a pretty common theme across the league that former Pittsburgh Penguins frequently end up in front offices, scouting, player development, and behind the bench. 

And another such case has emerged. 

On Tuesday, the New York Islanders named former Penguins' forward and two-time Stanley Cup champion Pascal Dupuis to their front office staff as the Director of Player Development. He was previously part of the Shawnigan Cataractes of the QMJHL for the last six seasons, working as an assistant coach, Assistant General Manager, and - for the last three years - as the Hockey Operations Assistant Director and Director of Player Development.

"Pascal's perspective will be invaluable for our developing players who are trying to find their way to the Islanders," General Manager and Executive Vice President Mathieu Darche said in a statement released by the team. "We couldn't be more excited to welcome him to the organization."

Dupuis - known as "Duper" to his teammates and to fans - spent parts of his final nine NHL seasons with the Penguins, winning Cups in 2009 and 2016 with the team. He was a staple in their top-nine, with many of those minutes being played alongside Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz. Unfortunately, injuries ended his 15-year NHL career prematurely, but in 452 career games with the Penguins, he registered 109 goals and 247 points.

With a large chunk of his production coming with Pittsburgh, Dupuis recorded 190 goals and 409 points in 871 career NHL games. 

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

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Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!    

The Chicago Blackhawks have lots of options when it comes to the off-season. The draft, free agency, and trades are all ways for Kyle Davidson to improve the roster before the sport goes mostly idle for the summer. 

A report that came out on Tuesday from ESPN suggested that the Chicago Blackhawks are still interested in Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies, and they would be willing to move the 4th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. 

The NHL draft is days away and free agency begins on July 1.

ESPN reporters @emilymkaplan, @kristen_shilton and @wyshynski have made calls around the league for the latest buzz on what the next big moves are on the horizon. https://t.co/vNdnZtBDvt

— ESPN (@espn) June 23, 2026

If the Hawks made a move like this to acquire Knies, regardless of what it costs, he would instantly make the team better both on and off the ice. 

For one, despite being just 23 years old, Knies has some big-game experience under his belt. He played a big role on some good teams at the University of Minnesota, and every year with the Toronto Maple Leafs has been a playoff year except for this past one. 

In 2024-26, the Leafs lost in seven games to the eventual champion Florida Panthers in the second round. It was an emotional roller coaster for Knies and his teammates, which will be a long-term learning lesson. His five goals and two assists in 15 playoff games showed great postseason ability, despite being one of the younger contributors on the team. 

That familiarity with big moments could make him a great asset around the young Blackhawks players who haven't experienced much in the NHL. 

In addition to this leadership that Knies can provide off the ice, he is an incredibly good player on the ice. He missed Mitch Marner in 2025-26, but he still had 23 goals and 43 assists for 66 points in 79 games played.

As Knies continues to improve and develop, he would be perfect alongside Connor Bedard on the top line. They are both capable of scoring goals and making plays, which may allow them to feed off each other well. 

The Maple Leafs won't trade Matthew Knies for just anything, especially knowing that they still have Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and the number one overall pick coming in, but the Blackhawks do have the assets needed to make a move of this caliber. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay up to date on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and 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 on the article below on THN.com or by creating your own post in our community forum.

The Chicago Blackhawks have lots of options when it comes to the off-season. The draft, free agency, and trades are all ways for Kyle Davidson to improve the roster before the sport goes mostly idle for the summer. 

A report that came out on Tuesday from ESPN suggested that the Chicago Blackhawks are still interested in Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies, and they would be willing to move the 4th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. 

The NHL draft is days away and free agency begins on July 1.

ESPN reporters @emilymkaplan, @kristen_shilton and @wyshynski have made calls around the league for the latest buzz on what the next big moves are on the horizon. https://t.co/vNdnZtBDvt

— ESPN (@espn) June 23, 2026

If the Hawks made a move like this to acquire Knies, regardless of what it costs, he would instantly make the team better both on and off the ice. 

For one, despite being just 23 years old, Knies has some big-game experience under his belt. He played a big role on some good teams at the University of Minnesota, and every year with the Toronto Maple Leafs has been a playoff year except for this past one. 

In 2024-26, the Leafs lost in seven games to the eventual champion Florida Panthers in the second round. It was an emotional roller coaster for Knies and his teammates, which will be a long-term learning lesson. His five goals and two assists in 15 playoff games showed great postseason ability, despite being one of the younger contributors on the team. 

That familiarity with big moments could make him a great asset around the young Blackhawks players who haven't experienced much in the NHL. 

In addition to this leadership that Knies can provide off the ice, he is an incredibly good player on the ice. He missed Mitch Marner in 2025-26, but he still had 23 goals and 43 assists for 66 points in 79 games played.

As Knies continues to improve and develop, he would be perfect alongside Connor Bedard on the top line. They are both capable of scoring goals and making plays, which may allow them to feed off each other well. 

The Maple Leafs won't trade Matthew Knies for just anything, especially knowing that they still have Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and the number one overall pick coming in, but the Blackhawks do have the assets needed to make a move of this caliber. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay up to date on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and 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 on the article below on THN.com or by creating your own post in our community forum.

The Islanders have a new face of their development department. 

Pascal Dupuis was named director of player development on Tuesday, the team announced. The man Dupuis replaced, Eric Cairns, is no longer in hockey operations for the Isles, according to The Post’s Ethan Sears.

Serving in various roles for the Shawinigan Cataractes of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League over the past six seasons — from assistant coach to assistant general manager — Dupuis brings robust experience in multiple aspects of running an organization. 

A partial owner of his former club, Dupuis also stepped into a dual role as hockey operations assistant director and director of player development for the past three campaigns. 

“Pascal is exactly the kind of person we want shaping the next generation of Islanders,” Islanders GM Mathieu Darche said. “His story is one every young player in our system can learn from as nothing was handed to him. He was undrafted, found his way to the NHL through his tireless work ethic, and built a career playing over 800 NHL games and finishing with him being a part of multiple Stanley Cup Championships. 

“Pascal’s perspective will be invaluable for our developing players who are trying to find their way to the Islanders. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome him to the organization.”

Dupuis is a former left wing and a veteran of 871 NHL games, over which he played for the Wild, Rangers, Thrashers and Penguins.

In addition to competing for two of the Penguins’ Stanley Cup-winning teams in 2009 and 2016, Dupuis surpassed 400 points (409) over 14 seasons. 

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — The San Jose Sharks traded William Eklund and two other forwards to the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday for the ninth pick in the draft.

San Jose acquired that pick for Eklund and prospects Kasper Halttunen and Brandon Svoboda. The Sharks now have the Nos. 2, 9 and 27 picks in the first round of the draft Friday night.

Eklund, a Swede who turns 24 in October, was second on the team with 38 assists, fourth with 53 points and seventh with 15 goals. He has 163 points in his first 252 NHL games and is signed for three more seasons at a salary cap hit of $5.6 million, with additional team control in restricted free agency beyond that in 2029.

“William is a dynamic and skilled forward who plays with a competitive edge,” Senators general manager Steve Staios said. “We are excited to welcome him to the Senators organization, and he will fit in well with our core group of players.”

The ninth pick was part of the return Ottawa got from Florida for Brady Tkachuk in that trade over the weekend.

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

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — The San Jose Sharks traded William Eklund and two other forwards to the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday for the ninth pick in the draft.

San Jose acquired that pick for Eklund and prospects Kasper Halttunen and Brandon Svoboda. The Sharks now have the Nos. 2, 9 and 27 picks in the first round of the draft Friday night.

Eklund, a Swede who turns 24 in October, was second on the team with 38 assists, fourth with 53 points and seventh with 15 goals. He has 163 points in his first 252 NHL games and is signed for three more seasons at a salary cap hit of $5.6 million, with additional team control in restricted free agency beyond that in 2029.

“William is a dynamic and skilled forward who plays with a competitive edge,” Senators general manager Steve Staios said. “We are excited to welcome him to the Senators organization, and he will fit in well with our core group of players.”

The ninth pick was part of the return Ottawa got from Florida for Brady Tkachuk in that trade over the weekend.

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