Category: Ice Hockey

The Columbus Blue Jackets are on the board with their first trade of the summer, acquiring veteran winger Valeri Nichushkin from the Colorado Avalanche for three draft picks a day before the 2026 NHL Draft.

Nichushkin, 31, was acquired for a 2026 second-round pick (43rd overall) plus the Blue Jackets' 2027 third-round pick and 2028 fifth-round pick. The Russian winger, who is 6 feet 4 and 210 pounds, has experience playing a top-six role and helped the Avalanche win the 2022 Stanley Cup.

More: Columbus Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell to discuss future with Zach Werenski

He has also totaled 357 points in 627 career games with 154 goals and 203 assists for the Avalanche (2019-26) and Dallas Stars (2013-19). Nichushkin has also scored 41 career power-play goals, 24 game-winning goals and six short-handed goals while averaging 16:25 in ice time.

This past season, he finished with 17 goals, 32 assists and 49 points in 72 games with a +9 plus/minus rating in 17:44 of ice time per game.

"Valeri is a big, strong forward who skates exceptionally well, can score goals, win puck battles and doesn’t shy away from playing in the hard areas,” Blue Jackets president/general manager Don Waddell said in a statement. “He is an accomplished two-way player who competes at a high level and we are very excited to welcome him to the Blue Jackets family."

Nichushkin didn't cost Waddell a first-round pick, so he could still package the 14th overall pick in this year's draft to add another experienced forward while preparing to lose captain Boone Jenner and left wing Mason Marchment as free agents.

The risk with the Nichushkin is off the ice, where personal issues have landed him in the NHL Players' Association Player Assistance Program twice, including the second stint reaching Stage 3 on May 13, 2024 to prompt a minimum six-month suspension without pay for violating terms of his treatment plan established in Stage 2 earlier the same season.

The Stage 3 suspension was revealed by the NHL and NHLPA prior to Game 4 of the Avalanche's second-round series, which they trailed 2-1 against the Stars. Neither the league nor NHLPA revealed the cause for the suspension, but it triggered the third of only four stages to the jointly run program.

Should Nichushkin violate the terms of his Stage 3 treatment plan, Stage 4 includes a mandatory one-year suspension without pay and does not include a guarantee of reinstatement to play. While suspended, players in the NHL/NHLPA program still count toward the NHL's salary-cap system unless they're placed on long-term injured reserve for a separate reason.

Nhl mock draft: Who's taken after Gavin McKenna in first round?

Nichushkin was also involved with an off-ice issue prior to Game 3 of the Avalanche's 2023 playoff series against the Seattle Kraken. He missed the final five games for what the team described as "personal reasons," but a report by The Athletic cited a Seattle police report that said an Avalanche team physician discovered a highly intoxicated woman in Nichushkin's hotel room.

It was determined the woman was too intoxicated to leave the hotel via taxi or ride-share service, so she was taken to a hospital by ambulance. Nichushkin's agent, Mark Gandler, was quoted in the article and denied his client's involvement, but Nichushkin was the only Avalanche player listed by name in the police report.

That incident didn't lead to Nichushkin re-entering the NHL/NHLPA program, but he did miss the remainder of that series. In the past two years, Nichushkin hasn't triggered Stage 4 of the treatment program and has maintained a significant role in Colorado's lineup.

He has four years left on a contract with a $6.125 million cap charge and 12-team, no-trade clause. Should he steer clear of trouble and arrive in Columbus motivated, Nichushkin could provide a boost to the Blue Jackets' possession metrics, power play and scoring.

patch Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets land Valeri Nichushkin from Colorado Avalanche

Luke Tuch's time with the Montreal Canadiens organization has come to a close. 

TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported that the Canadiens have traded Tuch to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for forward Hunter McKown.  

Tuch was selected by the Canadiens with the 47th overall pick of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. After finishing his collegiate career with Boston University, Tuch spent each of the last three seasons down in the AHL with the Laval Rocket. 

In 114 games over three seasons with Laval, Tuch posted 15 goals, 13 assists, 28 points, and 122 penalty minutes. In 68 games this past campaign with the Rocket, he had nine goals, 14 points, and 82 penalty minutes.

As for McKown, he has spent each of the last three seasons in the AHL with the Cleveland Monsters. In 63 games during this past season with Cleveland, he recorded nine goals, 16 assists, and 25 points.

McKown also has NHL experience, as he had two assists in 12 games for the Blue Jackets during the 2022-23. He has not played at the NHL level since that campaign, though.

Overall, this is a minor swap between the Canadiens and Blue Jackets. It will be interesting to see how these two players perform next season with their new teams. 

The New Jersey Devils made a small trade on Thursday night. They sent a 2026 fourth-round pick (108th overall) to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for center Amadeus Lombardi. 

This is a move that the New Jersey Devils made to add some forward depth to the organization. At 23 years old, Lombardi is still young, but he has yet to make his NHL debut. 

🚨 TRADE ALERT 🚨

We’ve acquired Amadeus Lombardi from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for our fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. pic.twitter.com/46te2tnVW7

— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) June 25, 2026

Lombardi was a fourth-round pick himself in 2022, and he was a high-end offensive producer in the OHL with the Flint Firebirds. Since arriving in the AHL, Detroit has kept him there, and he's gotten progressively more productive as the years have gone on. 

He had 26 points as a rookie AHL player in 70 games played during the 2023-24 season. Over the last two years, however, he was much closer to being a point per game player with 82 points in 91 games. 

His issue is that he must find ways to play more games without spending time away from the lineup due to injury. Despite those concerns, he has a promising set of skills, and Sunny Mehta is taking a chance on them. 

Lombardi very well might get his chance to make his NHL debut at some point with the Devils, but he will certainly be an option for the Utica Comets, too, who are looking to bounce back from a subpar season. 

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Outside of the San Jose Sharks and possibly the Buffalo Sabres, there is no other team more compelling to watch than the St. Louis Blues in the 2026 NHL draft. 

With four first-round picks, the Blues can completely revitalize their prospect pool, whether they make all four selections or package some of those picks to move up in the draft. 

If the Blues decide to keep their picks, TSN’s Craig Button suggests the Blues use their back-to-back picks at 15 and 16 to select the Ruck twins, Markus and Liam.

“We know what two twins playing together can do and they’ve spent their whole life playing together,” said Button. They’ve been dynamic. They’ve been productive.

“And for the St. Louis Blues, these are two really good offensive players. You think about on the Mock Draft 1.0, we had them going to the Vancouver Canucks. The Sedins had a big part of it. Well, don’t forget - the Sutter twins Ronnie and Richie played for the St. Louis Blues at one time. Maybe this is the next generation of twins to suit up for the St. Louis Blues.”

The Ruck twins spent the 2025-26 season with the Medicine Hat Tigers, where they were dominant. Markus and Liam led the WHL and the CHL in scoring, as Markus scored 21 goals and 87 points for 108 points, while Liam notched 45 goals and 104 points. 

Liam has been ranked ahead of Markus in most mock drafts, as his goal-scoring ability from the wing is more highly regarded than Markus’ playmaking up the ice.

The twins are great offensive players, but there are faults in their games. Their defensive game isn’t as well-rounded as others in the draft, but their biggest weakness is their skating.

2026 NHL Draft WHL Prospect Profile: Liam RuckA profile preview on Medicine Hat forward Liam Ruck.

Because their skating is poorer than that of other draft-eligible players, most analysts have them ranked lower in the first round, and sometimes into the second. The question being asked is whether their skating can improve, and if not, will their hockey IQ mask those skating issues? 

The twins each stand six feet, with Markus a left-handed center and Liam a right-handed winger. They’ll both return to Medicine for the 2026-27 season before joining the University of North Dakota in the 2027-28 season. 

Most scouts don’t believe Liam or Markus are worthy of being selected this highly, but maybe Craig Button knows something everyone else doesn’t. It would be a gamble to take the Ruck twins that early in the first round, but if they panned out, it would be a major win for the Blues. 

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With the 2026 NHL Draft quickly approaching, Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has made his first move. 

The club has traded prospect Amadeus Lombardi, whom they selected in the fourth round (113th overall pick) of the 2022 NHL Draft, to the New Jersey Devils. In return, the Red Wings received a fourth-round selection. 

UPDATE: The #RedWings have acquired a 4th round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Amadeus Lombardi. pic.twitter.com/2LyOV7KLuW

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) June 25, 2026

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With his contract expiring, he was no longer waiver-exempt. 

A native of Newmarket, Ontario, Lombardi spent time in the OHL with the Flint Firebirds before beginning his tenure with the American Hockey League affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins. 

This past season in Grand Rapids, he reached a career-high 42 points (16 goals, 26 assists) as the Griffins breezed through the regular season in what was their best campaign in club history. 

During the Calder Cup Playoffs this spring, he registered three assists in seven games played. 

He has yet to appear in an NHL regular season game, and will now have to try and earn a roster spot with the Devils. 

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We at Red Line Report like this draft class.

The top end of the first round has star power, the top 10 is jam-packed with big, strong skating, offensively gifted defensemen, and there are strong options right on down through the mid-20s.

Given that, it surprised that so many first round picks have been traded so far. The St. Louis Blues have four first-rounders and the San Jose Sharks have three.

The following mock draft has a number of significant differences from Red Line’s own value board. The purpose of Red Line Report is to be a pure scouting service, and ultimately rank prospects in the order we would select the available players if we lived in a vacuum where “needs” and other outside forces never entered the equation.

The purpose of mock drafts, on the other hand, is vastly different. This mock draft merely represent a fun exercise in scenarios that we think might actually play out on NHL draft day.)

1. Toronto Maple Leafs — LW Gavin McKenna

A desperately needed lottery win gives the Maple Leafs an opportunity to replace the offense lost when Mitch Marner went to Vegas. Like Marner, McKenna  is a playmaking winger. How long have we been talking about McKenna? There shouldn’t be any debate.

2. San Jose Sharks — D Chase Reid

Other GMs would take Ivar Stenberg at No. 2, but unless the Sharks are fooling everyone, they desire an offensive-minded defenseman to round out their collection of young talent. It’s a bonus that he’s a right shot. Teams would like to move up, but the Sharks require an incredible offer to get their attention.

3. Vancouver Canucks — C Caleb Malhotra

This move is a logical step because the Canucks desperately need a strong center. Malhotra boasts skill, moxie and NHL DNA in his blood. And his father, Manny, is Vancouver’s head coach.

4. Buffalo Sabres (from Chicago) — LW Ivar Stenberg

Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said he's listening to offers on this pick. If he keeps the pick, he'll go after the best player available, which describes Stenberg if he drops this far, If not, could be take a defenseman?

5. New York Rangers — D Carson Carels

Do you like him better than Reid? Some scouts do. The Rangers will be delighted with this pick. He scored 20 goals this season and projects to be a No. 1 defenseman.

6. Calgary Flames — D Keaton Verhoeff

He’s 6-4 and a well rounded defenseman. Earlier this season, it was thought he could go in the top two or three picks.

7. Seattle Kraken — C Viggo Björck

Possesses breakaway speed and is a dynamic offensive player who is already comfortable in the Swedish Hockey League. He’s on the small side, but he handles it. He recently became the youngest player (18 years old) to score a goal for Sweden at the men’s world championships.

8. Winnipeg Jets — D Daxon Rudolph

Scored 28 goals and produced 78 points in 68 games. This draft has five highly desirable blueliners available in the top 10, and he is  clearly the most underrated. Combines his offense with size and some truculence.

9. San Jose Sharks (from Florida via Ottawa) — LW Ethan Belchetz

He’s a unicorn at 6-foot-5, 230 pounds with soft hands and scoring touch. Coupled with his 34 goals and 59 points, that makes him a top 10 pick.

10. Nashville Predators — C Oliver Suvanto

The NHL always has time for big, physically dominant centers with skill. He plays a two-way game, similar in approach to fellow countryman Aleksander Barkov.

11. St. Louis Blues — C Tynan Lawrence

This is a highly skilled and tenacious player who had 10 goals and 17 points in 13 games for Muskegon in the United States Hockey League before heading to Boston University midseason, where he produced fairly well while making a major adjustment to college hockey.

12. New Jersey Devils — LW Adam Novotny

The Devils are looking to add scoring to their prospect pool. Novotny is a two-way player who scored 34 goals and plays a rugged game.

13. New York Islanders — D Alberts Smits

He’s a 6-foot-3 defenseman who skates well and offers an aggressive physical presence to go along with outstanding offensive skills.

14. Columbus Blue Jackets — RW Nikita Klepov

He’s an aggressive puck hound who plays the game with great pace and energy, and always applies pressure on defenders. He also led the Ontario Hockey League in scoring.

15. St. Louis Blues (from Detroit) — D Malte Gustafsson

Huge, smooth-skating defenseman. If you are working with a Detroit pick, aren’t you obligated to draft a Swedish player?

16. St. Louis Blues (from Washington) — RW Liam Ruck

He scored 45 goals and was the hottest player in all of junior hockey for about 2 1/2 months. True finisher has a great release.

17. Los Angeles Kings — LW Oscar Hemming

He’s a massive 6-foot-4 winger with a hellacious shot who projects to grow into a punishing power forward.

18. Washington Capitals (from Anaheim) — D Ryan Lin

What’s better than having one smallish but supremely offensively gifted puck mover (Cole Hutson) on your blue line? How about having two of them?

19. Utah Mammoth — C Ilya Morozov

Big pivot generated strong offense and played a mature two-way game as one of the youngest players in college hockey.

20. Buffalo Sabres (from Edmonton via San Jose) — LW J.P. Hurlbert

When a player produces 45 goals and 97 points in the tough Western Hockey League, you have to take notice. He’s a creative player heading to the University of Michigan.

21. Philadelphia Flyers — D Tommy Bleyl

This dynamic offensive defenseman could really liven things up for a team that has had some trouble getting hemmed into its own end. He’s a one-man breakout machine who will put a jolt into the Flyers' power play as well.

22. Pittsburgh — C Maddox Dagenais

He’s a 6-foot-4 power forward who can produce offense and play a physical game.

23. Boston Bruins — LW Wyatt Cullen

He’s the son of highly respected former NHLer Matt Cullen, and that DNA is a major plus. But the kid was also the most skilled and  intense forward at the U.S. National Team Developmental Program this year.

24. Vancouver Canucks (from Minnesota) — C Jack Hextall

A distant relative of Ron Hextall, he may not be quite as combative, but he is a competitor. Plus, he scored 20 goals this past season.

25. Ottawa Senators (from Tampa Bay via Seattle and Florida) — C Alexander Command

Put up 40 points in 37 games and got so much better throughout the season. He offers grit and a high compete level to go with his skill.

26. New York Rangers (from Dallas via Carolina) — D Juho Piiparinen

He’s a mature 6-foot-3 mobile, defensive-minded blueliner who is consistent in his effort. Doesn’t get caught out of position and has nimble footwork.

27. San Jose Sharks (from Buffalo) — RW Casey Mutryn

He’s a power forward with good defensive instincts who is a rugged north-south player.

28. Montreal Canadiens — C Yegor Shilov

The Canadiens are still searching for that elusive second-line center. He’s a gifted playmaker with excellent vision and hands.

29. St. Louis Blues (from Colorado via Islanders) — LW Marcus Nordmark

Exceptionally high skill level, but there is considerable debate about his defensive play and level of engagement. Can you convince him to be the best version of himself?

30. Calgary Flames (from Vegas) — D Ben MacBeath

Smooth skater and puck mover put up 51 points this season as a WHL rookie, and now gets to go to “the school of defense” at Denver University.

31. Carolina Hurricanes — C Brooks Rogowski

He’s a 6-foot-6 giant who had 42 points in 46 games. Long-term project needs time to develop, and now he’s going to Michigan State to hone his skills. Intriguing upside prospect.

32. Ottawa Senators — D Xavier Villeneuve

He’s a super dynamic defenseman who elicits comparisons to Lane Hutson. Remember, Hutson went a lot lower than this.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL mock draft: Gavin McKenna projected No. 1; who follows?

The Colorado Avalanche finally made the difficult decision they spent years trying to avoid.

After multiple seasons weighing Valeri Nichushkin’s elite on-ice impact against recurring injuries and off-ice uncertainty, Colorado has closed the chapter, trading the veteran winger to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 third-round pick, and a 2028 fifth-round selection in the NHL Draft.

It brings an end to one of the most complicated tenures in modern Avalanche history.

Nichushkin arrived in Colorado in August 2019 as a low-risk free-agent signing, a player whose NHL career had stalled in Dallas. Over time, he turned into one of the organization’s most important forwards — and one of its most difficult long-term evaluations.

In 404 regular-season games with the Avalanche, Nichushkin recorded 131 goals and 152 assists for 283 points. In the playoffs, his game often elevated even further, finishing with 27 goals and 40 points in 74 postseason appearances, including a major role in Colorado’s 2022 Stanley Cup championship run.

When he was right, there weren’t many power forwards in the league who looked like him. The size, the speed, the puck protection — it all came together in a way that made him a constant matchup problem and a key driver of Colorado’s puck-possession game.

He also delivered in defining moments. During the 2022 run, Nichushkin played through a broken foot in the Stanley Cup Final and still managed to produce, tying a franchise record with four goals in the series.

But the other side of the story never fully went away.

Injuries consistently interrupted stretches of his tenure, and off-ice issues created a level of uncertainty the Avalanche had to account for year after year. In January 2024, Nichushkin entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program and later received a six-month suspension after violating the program’s terms during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Since returning, there were no further public incidents, and head coach Jared Bednar often spoke about his professionalism and impact inside the room. Still, availability remained the constant issue, with injuries limiting him at multiple points during the 2025-26 season and postseason.

For Colorado, the decision ultimately came down to control and clarity. Nichushkin carries a $6.125 million cap hit through the 2029-30 season, and moving that contract gives the Avalanche additional flexibility as they continue reshaping a roster still built around contending.

In return, Colorado acquires three draft picks, including the 43rd overall selection in the 2026 NHL Draft. The second-round pick originally belonged to St. Louis before being moved through multiple trades to Columbus.

The Avalanche are left with cap space, future assets and one less question mark. The Blue Jackets, meanwhile, are betting that the version of Nichushkin who helped drive Colorado to a championship still has plenty of hockey left to give.

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The NHL offseason isn't typically as drama-filled as the NBA's, but this week brought plenty of headlines that caused quite a stir in the Stanley Cup odds. The NHL draft and the official opening of free agency are still to come.

Brady Tkachuk's move to the Florida Panthers put them in a three-way tie for first spot on the odds board with the Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche, while other teams like the Washington Capitals have made stellar moves to bolster their roster ahead of next season.

I break down what Stanley Cup predictions to make now, and which ones to hold out on — or avoid completely with your NHL picks.

🏆 2026-27 Stanley Cup odds

Odds as of 6-25, courtesy of BET99, one of our best betting sites. Sign up with our BET99 promo code, or get one of our other sportsbook promos.

Stanley Cup predictions: 🟢 Teams to bet on now

 Panthers (+750 at Bet99)

This may seem like it's too late, but now is as good a time as any to hop on the Florida Panthers. The Brady Tkachuk trade gives them arguably the best Top 9 in the league, and they still have roughly $6 million in cap space.

One thing they don't have at the moment is a No. 1 netminder signed, but hold your horses. It just so happens trade rumors are picking up steam surrounding the one and only Connor Hellebuyck, and you'll never guess who is mixed up in said rumors...

Elliotte Friedman: There was another interesting theory...obviously Florida really squeezed Ottawa...they knew Brady Tkachuk wanted to go there, there was some people wondering if that's what Florida's gonna do with Connor Hellebuyck - FAN Hockey Show (6/24)

— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) June 25, 2026

We know this Panthers' front office isn't afraid of going all in, and if they somehow pull this off, you're looking at their odds shifting closer to +450.

 Capitals (+2500 at Bet99)

As a Washington Capitals fan, it brings me great joy to write about how kick ass their offseason has been. Landing players like Jordan Kyrou and Alex Tuch have shortened their odds from +4500 to +2500, and I think now is the time to hop on before it's too late.

The Caps still have over $12 million in cap space to work with, and the Tuch deal clearly shows this team is ready to go all in as they look to persuade Alex Ovechkin to come back for one more year. 

While Jason Robertson's ask may be a little too steep, there are still plenty of depth guys available in this free agency class to chase.

If Logan Thompson can return to Vezina form next season with a much better offense in front of him, look out.

Stanley Cup predictions: 🟡 Teams to wait on 

 Canadiens (+2500 at Bet99)

The Montreal Canadiens have had a quiet offseason up to this point, and I'm willing to wait and see what they do before I put my hard-earned cash on them.

Their run to the Eastern Conference Final showed promise, but it took two Game 7 wins to get there, and the Hurricanes outclassed them.

Adding another Top 4 defenseman or bolstering the Top 6 with a player like Jason Robertson could push this team one step closer, but until I see them actually do that, I'm holding off.

Sharks (+5000 at Bet99)

Macklin Celebrini is an electric factory, and it looks like the San Jose Sharks were starting to piece things together last year. They have assets coming out the hoo hah — including the second pick of tomorrow's NHL Draft — and a ton of cap space, but let's wait and see what they do with them...

If they trade those assets to get a legit piece, their odds will shorten, but not enough where they aren't worth a flier. If they decide to hold on to those picks and continue a proper rebuild, you're stuck with a +5000 ticket that has almost no shot of cashing next year. Patience, young padawan.

Stanley Cup predictions: 🔴 Teams to avoid

 Oilers (+1000 at Bet99)

To hell with Mike Babcock. I would prefer to use a word that rhymes with duck, but despite writing for a sports betting website, I must show some class.

Listen, did the Edmonton Oilers answer their head coaching question? About as bad as you can answer, I guess.

However, did they answer their netminding, offensive depth, and defensive corps problems? No? Okay, so why would you ever consider betting on a team so shit at +1000? Because they have Connor McDavid? Not for long, little buddy, not for long...

 Stars (+1600 at Bet99)

The Dallas Stars show so much promise every year, and every year they let their fans down. And now, with no Cup to show for their hard work, they're likely about to ship out RFA Jason Robertson.

It feels like the championship window is closing — if not already slammed shut — and there are just better teams to bet on at this point of the year.

Key players who could be traded

• Dylan Larkin
• Jason Robertson
• Matthew Knies
• Mason McTavish
• Connor Hellebuyck
• Nico Hischier
• Darnell Nurse
• Morgan Rielly
• Vincent Trochek
• Jake DeBrusk
• Adin Hill

Outstanding key NHL UFAs and RFAs

UFAs

• Rasmus Andersson D
• Alex Ovechkin F
• Patrick Kane F
• Anthony Mantha F
• Viktor Arvidsson F
• Mats Zucccarello F
• John Carlson D
• Claude Giroux F
• Mason Marchment F
• Jacob Trouba

RFAs

• Jason Robertson F
• Connor Bedard F
• Cutter Gauthier F
• Leo Carlsson F
• Pavel Dorofeyev F
• Alexander Nikishin D
• Jordan Spence D
• Trevor Zegras F
• Yegor Chinakhov F

Key NHL offseason dates 2026-27

• June 26/27 - NHL Draft
• July 1 - Free agency begins
• July 20 - Salary arbitration hearings begin
• August 3 - Deadline for salary arb decisions to be rendered
• September 11 - Rookies report to training camp
• September 16/27 - Remaining players report to training camp

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

For a second year in a row, it was made clear in the playoffs that the Montreal Canadiens needed to get tougher. Not necessarily bigger, but tougher. When the puck drops in the postseason, the intensity goes right up, and it shows in how much more physical the play becomes. The Habs have a lot of skillful players, but they’re not stacked when it comes to players ready to land big, bone-crushing hits.

Josh Anderson does what he can, and while he’s very good at it, his age shows as the playoffs move forward. The gritty winger has never shied away from physical play, but his style has landed him on the injury list a few times, and as the Canadiens moved through the rounds, the wear and tear started to show.

Could The Canadiens Land A Big Bounce-Back Candidate?
Potential Canadiens Draft Target: Tomas Chrenko
Will Canadiens’ Former Goaltender Keep Walking In Weber’s Footsteps Or Go Further?

Zachary Bolduc has shown he also has some potential when it comes to laying down punishment, but at 6-foot and 187 pounds, he could use some bulk. A prime candidate to bolster the Canadiens’ physicality could be A.J. Greer, but he probably won’t come cheap when he hits the free agency market on July 1st.

Kent Hughes is likely keeping tabs on a few players in the league who could come in and give the Canadiens more grit. Still, he’s no doubt also aware that Florian Xhekaj now has two years of professional hockey experience under his belt and that it could be worth allowing him to make the jump with the big team next season.

At 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, the winger isn’t as big as his brother Arber Xhekaj, but he does know how to use his big body to good use. In 64 games with the Laval Rocket this season, the winger registered 29 points, including 17 goals and spent 182 minutes in the penalty box. The younger Xhekaj also knows how to fight, and since Martin St-Louis appears reluctant to give much ice time to the older Xhekaj, the youngster could offer a good alternative.

If the Canadiens can’t improve their bottom six via trade or free agency, it will be worth giving Xheakj a try. Pascal Vincent, the former coach of the Rocket, recently said on The Sick Podcast that he is a big fan of his, which is a pretty good endorsement.

"I'm a big fan of Florian Xhekaj... I think this guy is going to be a good player in the NHL, and I think he's going to be a good playoff player" - Pascal Vincent#GoHabsGo#thesickpodcast@TonyMarinaropic.twitter.com/AgwySDztOB

— The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro (@thesickpodcasts) June 12, 2026

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The Detroit Red Wings are not giving up on William Wallinder just yet as the club on Thursday, re-signed the 23-year-old Swedish defenseman to a two-year, two-way contract, signaling that despite a slower than expected development timeline, Detroit still believes in what the towering blueliner can become. 

For a franchise that has shown a willingness to invest in its prospects, the deal is a logical next step for a player who is finally starting to show the kind of growth the organization has been waiting for.

Wallinder was never a sure thing offensively, but the expectations that came with being selected 32nd overall in the 2020 NHL Draft were significant regardless. At six-foot-four and 209 pounds, he possesses the kind of frame that organizations dream about on the blue line, and his game is built around using that size to his advantage. 

He is primarily a defensive defenseman with some offensive upside, the kind of player who can protect his own zone and make life difficult on opposing forwards when his game is clicking.

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UPDATE: The #RedWings have signed defenseman William Wallinder to a two-year, two-way contract. pic.twitter.com/rm2K7Bn4TX

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The development curve, however, has been gradual over 194 AHL games with the Grand Rapids Griffins across three seasons. Wallinder has posted seven goals and 47 assists for 54 points along with a plus-11 rating with his offensive growth slowly climbing, from 15 points in his first full season to 19 the following year before finally cracking 20 this past campaign. 

What stands out most about this past season is not the point total but the dramatic swing in his defensive numbers. After posting a combined minus-eight rating over his first two AHL seasons, Wallinder turned in a plus-21 this past year, a shift that speaks to real growth in how he reads and manages the game in his own end. 

Playing alongside experienced veterans on the Grand Rapids blue line, including Erik Gustafsson, appears to have accelerated that development in ways that the raw numbers alone do not fully capture.

The two-year, two-way structure of the deal gives Wallinder time to continue developing without the pressure of immediately cracking Detroit's NHL roster, while also keeping the door open if he takes another step forward and forces his way into the conversation.

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After trading Bowen Byram and Michael Kesselring already this off-season, the Buffalo Sabres should be looking to add at least one more defenseman this summer. While they brought in Louis Crevier from the Blackhawks in the Byram trade, Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn are also pending UFAs for Buffalo. 

Now, the Sabres are being linked to a Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman.

According to The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta, the Sabres have had trade discussions with the Maple Leafs about Brandon Carlo. 

"Some quick hits: Sabres/Leafs discussed Carlo," Pagnotta posted on X. 

With the Sabres needing another right-shot defenseman, it makes sense that they have a defenseman like Carlo on their radar. When playing at his best, the veteran blueliner is a solid stay-at-home top-four defenseman. Because of this, he would have the potential to be a nice pickup for a Sabres club that needs blueline help. 

If the Sabres acquired Carlo, he could slot well on their second pairing with Owen Power. He would also offer them a clear option for their penalty kill because of his defense-first style of play. 

In 55 games this past season with the Maple Leafs, Carlo posted zero goals, seven assists, and a plus-4 rating. 

The Hoffmann Family had their first press conference as owners of the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday morning. 

David Hoffmann, Geoff Hoffmann, and Greg Hoffmann discussed a variety of topics, including their belief in Kyle Dubas and Dan Muse, the TV network situation, the ECHL affiliate situation, their goals for the Penguins, and so much more. 

They're just two days removed from getting unanimous approval from the NHL's Board of Governors to buy the Penguins from Fenway Sports Group. 

Here are three takeaways from their 20+ minute conversation with local reporters: 

1. They are all in on Kyle Dubas

While the Hoffmann Family loves hockey, they recognize that Kyle Dubas is one of the top executives in the NHL and want him to have the final say. They want to give Dubas the support he needs to make whatever moves necessary to improve the team.

"Kyle, we think, is a particularly talented executive in the league, and that was one of the things that attracted us about making the investment, especially at this point in time," Geoff Hoffmann said. "We fully support him in his vision for the organization, and we're prepared to give him the resources that he needs to be as successful as we can possibly be as an organization."

Dubas is going into his fourth season as the general manager and president of hockey operations and is now an alternate governor of the Penguins. The new owners love the work that he has done and want to see it continue. 

2. They are committed to Pittsburgh

Obviously, there's a very long and storied history with the Penguins in Pittsburgh, and the Hoffmann Family wants to see that continue under their watch. They told reporters that they are committed to the city and that the Penguins will be in Pittsburgh for a very long time. 

"It is a storied franchise in a lot of different ways," Geoff Hoffmann said. "There's certainly been some ups and downs, I think, on the business side of the organization, and I'm here to tell you that has come to an end. We are long-term thinkers. This is not an investment for us, as you think about a financial investment. This is a commitment to a city. It's a commitment to an organization. The Penguins are going to be in Pittsburgh and always going to be in Pittsburgh as long as the Hoffmanns are part of it, and the Hoffmanns plan to be a part of this for generations to come." 

"We are really well-positioned, not only to continue the trajectory that the organization is on currently, but to make the investments that are required to remain competitive and to create an incredibly special fan experience, which is something that we're focused on, too. We want this to be great for the community of Pittsburgh and for all of our fans."

This is an ownership group that's in it for the long haul and again comes across as a group of true hockey fans. They've built a lot of success with the ECHL's Florida Everblades and will now try to do it in the NHL. 

Yes, It's High Time For The Penguins To Trade One Of Their Best Wingers. But It's Not The One You Think It Should Be.The Pittsburgh Penguins have three valuable trade commodities and find themselves at a crossroads in terms of direction - and one player should be the first domino to fall.

3. The Penguins' ECHL affiliate is likely to change

This topic came up multiple times during the presser, and David Hoffmann confirmed toward the end that the family would "100%" like to see the Everblades become the Penguins' new ECHL affiliate. 

"100%," David Hoffmann said. "I think they would run me out of Naples if they're not. We already have people wearing Penguins jerseys at our games, so I think the high expectation levels, that's going to happen. We want to do that."

Assuming that goes through, it would end the Penguins' affiliation with the Wheeling Nailers after 29 years. It's the longest active agreement between an NHL and ECHL team. 

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It's easy to win an opening presser, but I thought the family said all the right things and came across as really genuine. Now it's on them to back up their words with actions.

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The Winnipeg Jets may be about to lose one of their own without receiving anything in return with Ville Heinola, the Finnish defenseman selected by Winnipeg in the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft, is entering the offseason as a Group-6 unrestricted free agent. 

This means he is free to sign with any team in the league when the market opens next Wednesday. For an organization that has watched Heinola develop patiently over seven professional seasons, the prospect of losing him without compensation is a situation the front office will be eager to avoid.

Group-6 free agency is among the lesser known classifications in the NHL's collective bargaining agreement, but Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman broke down all six groups on his 32 podcast this week for those unfamiliar with how Heinola arrived at this crossroads. 

The six groups cover players finishing entry-level contracts, traditional restricted free agents like Jason Robertson and Connor Bedard, the widely understood unrestricted free agents, players who have competed overseas and were never drafted or signed in North America like Ottawa Senators defenseman Artem Zub, a fifth category involving players with ten or more professional seasons or those meeting a specific salary threshold, which Sportsnet's Kyle Bukauskas noted is quite rare, and finally the sixth group, which is where Heinola lands.

 A Group-6 unrestricted free agent is defined as a player who is 25 years of age or older as of June 30th of the expiring contract year, has played fewer than 80 career NHL games, and has completed three or more professional seasons.

The 25-year-old appeared in just five games with the Jets this past season, recording no points at the NHL level, while spending the bulk of his year with the Manitoba Moose in the AHL, where he posted three goals and 18 assists for 21 points in 44 games. Those numbers add to an already impressive AHL resume. 

Over seven seasons with the Moose, Heinola has accumulated 124 points in 198 games, establishing himself as one of the more productive defensemen in franchise history at that level. At the NHL level, the production has been harder to come by with 12 points in 58 career games across six seasons, largely due to limited opportunity rather than a lack of ability.

That lack of opportunity may ultimately be what drives Heinola out of Winnipeg. As a Group-6 unrestricted free agent, he holds all the leverage and will have no shortage of suitors among teams willing to give him the consistent top-league deployment that has eluded him in Manitoba. For a player of his caliber and age, the desire to find a situation where he can finally stick in an NHL lineup full time is entirely understandable.

The Jets did bring Heinola up towards the end of this past season, a move that could be read as a final audition or a genuine attempt to reintegrate him into the big league club ahead of a potential re-signing. Whether that late-season callup translates into a new deal remains to be seen, but Winnipeg will need to move quickly. The clock runs out on Wednesday, and if the Jets cannot offer Heinola what he is looking for in terms of both contract and opportunity, another organization almost certainly will.

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The NHL has been buckwild ever since the Brady Tkachuk trade to Florida dropped over the weekend. Seemingly everyone in the league is trying to get their ducks in a row ahead of the draft, not only projecting what they need right now — but reading the writing on the wall for where they will be in a few year’s time.

Inthe past few days we’ve seen the Buffalo Sabres make a flurry of moves, the Captials landing Jordan Kyrou, and the Senators move their No. 9 pick to bolster their lines, but some of the biggest rumors are still floating around with the draft on the horizon. Let’s dive into the whispers going on around hockey and determine which make sense, and which just don’t hold any water.

NOT BUYING IT: Connor Bedard trade rumors

The Blackhawks are biting their nails trying to get this Connor Bedard extension done before he’s poised to become a restricted free agent in July, but at no point am I buying the idea that Chicago might trade him — no matter how ugly the negotiations get.

Sure, Bedard notoriously hates losing and wants to see the Blackhawks improve, but there’s just not a landing spot that makes sense on a contender right now. He could theoretically go to a mid-tier playoff team like Utah or Buffalo, but those teams neither have the assets, nor the desire to sink all their energy into taking on a player who is still developing his NHL game. That means the teams most likely to make a deal, like the Maple Leafs, Canucks, or Red Wings, more or less put Bedard in the exact spot he’s in right now, trying to win.

The best move for Chicago now is to get the deal done, and I think they will — even if it means breaking the bank for a player his age. This is a big market, a burgeoning star, and a team that unquestionably has a lot of work to do, but seems willing to make some deals to improve now (see Bowen Byram) while also having a deep pipeline of players down the road.

BUYING IT: Hurricanes shopping Alexander Nikishin

The Stanley Cup Champions have the deepest prospect pool of any elite team in the NHL, and they know it. It was assumed that the Canes would look to re-up Nikishin long term, but there have been some murmurs that his agents are looking for a contract much larger than Carolina is comfortable with after one year in the league.

Ultimately, we have a case where Nikishin is a 3rd line defenseman inside the Hurricanes, but would be a top four guy on most other teams. That, paired with his youth mean there will be plenty of suitors out there. The Canes can run their “next man up” philosophy from inside the system without losing that much, largely because Ke’Andre Miller was a breakout star for them last year.

Nikishin will be traded ahead of the NHL Draft, and I think it’s going to be part of a big time deal.

NOT BUYING IT: Connor Hellebuyck to the Panthers

There seems to be a fundamental disconnect between what Florida would like to do what they can do, and what they’re willing to do. There is absolutely no scenario that involves the Panthers getting Connor Hellebuyck without giving up established talent on their roster right now. None, zero, zilch.

Florida gave up everything they had left to get Brady Tkachuk in terms of not messing with the roster, meaning the only player who could really spur a package for Hellebuyck is Anton Lundell, whom the Panthers have said is a non-starter (which is correct). Lundell is one of their few young, future pieces who will be with the team in six or seven years time, and without a prospect pool it’s too rich going all in on a goaltender upgrade.

There’s also an element to this where people are overvaluing Hellebuyck too much right now. He’s coming off a down year, is signed to a massive extension, and really isn’t worth what’s left on the deal unless you think the 2025-26 season was an abberation and not the start of regression. Florida is smarter than going all-in here.

BUYING IT: The Devils making a spash with No. 12

The New Jersey Devils are desperate to get back into playoff contention and be in win-now mode while Jack Hughes is still in his prime, and there’s a lot of chatter about their $13M in cap space paired with the No. 12 overall pick.

This feels like the prime opportunity to make some noise in the trade market, and I can’t help but think that Jason Robertson of the Stars makes a ton of sense in a sign-and-trade scenario. Dallas would like to retain their scoring wing, but are locked in cap hell right now that they can’t escape without gutting their core. This is the payment for the Mikko Rantanen deal, and they will likely lose Robertson as a result.

New Jersey would be a great landing spot for scoring, and the No. 12 pick would give the Stars a prospect to build up for the future. If not Robertson, then look for someone like Matthew Knies of Toronto who would also make sense here.