The left side of the Rangers defensive depth chart was heavily reinforced during the second day of the NHL draft Saturday.
Five of the Blueshirts’ nine total draft picks this weekend were left-shot blueliners who will bolster the organization’s thin collection of defensive prospects. After taking Alberts Smits on Friday’s Day 1, the Rangers took four more at the same position throughout Day 2.
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Capping the second round by taking Benjamin MacBeath at No. 64 out of the Western Hockey League, the Rangers also selected Charlie Morrison 77th overall from the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League.
“Obviously, I feel a lot of emotions,” MacBeath said in a Zoom call. “It’s a lot of stress leading up to it, but I mean, to be drafted by the kind of organization like the Rangers, it’s such a relief and it’s awesome to get to spend that time with my family after. It’s been great.”
The 18-year-old MacBeath is headed to play for three-time NCAA champion coach David Carle at the University of Denver next season. Committed to the Pioneers since he was 15, MacBeath highlighted the elite coaching staff, winning culture and proximity to his family as reasons for choosing the NCAA route.
Benjamin MacBeath poses for a photo after being selected 64th overall by the Rangers during Day 2 of the 2026 NHL Draft at KeyBank Center on June 27, 2026 in Buffalo. NHLI via Getty Images
Describing himself as a two-way defenseman, MacBeath touted his ability to move up and down the ice and join the rush. He said he looks to create shooting lanes on the blue line and can close spaces quickly with his edges.
Rangers director of player personnel and amateur scouting John Lilley cited the department’s best-available-player philosophy for the influx of left-handed defensemen.
“Sometimes it’s just the way the list falls,” Lilley said. “This year it certainly seemed a little D-heavy anyway. And we ended up with those left-shot ‘D,’ but it was the way the list went and to deviate from it, and jump six, seven spots — because a lot of times players have been taken in between — just kind of goes against what you’ve tried to build the entire season with your list.”
The Rangers also added size to their D-pool with Andre Mondoux in the sixth round (162nd overall). Mondoux is slated to return to the OHL next season before heading to Notre Dame in the fall of 2027.
Just three picks after MacBeath, the Rangers selected goalie Danai Shaiikov at No. 67 out of the QMJHL. Amid the expected departures of netminders Hugo Ollas and Talyn Boyko, who combined for just seven games for the Wolf Pack, team president and general manager Chris Drury needed to strengthen the goalie depth.
Right now, the organization has Igor Shesterkin, Dylan Garand, Spencer Martin and Callum Tung.
“Scott Clemmensen, who is our goalie scout, really valued this young man [Shaiikov] in Gatineau,” Lilley said. “He’s athletic. He’s very competitive. He doesn’t give up on pucks, and he had a lot of work this year. … He’s a battler with a lot of skills and quickness and I know Scott really pushed and really wanted him.”
After taking Morrison at No. 77, the Rangers went with Slovakian center Tomas Chrenko.
Charlie Morrison of the Quebec Remparts skates after the puck against the Moncton Wildcats during the third period at Avenir Centre on Nov. 16, 2025 in Moncton, Canada. Getty Images
“I’m a playmaker,” Chrenko said. “I love to make plays. I love to pass to my teammates. I love to score. I’m a creative player and I have a high hockey IQ.”
The Rangers selected another forward at pick No. 102, adding left wing Spencer Bowes.
Last season with the Ottawa 67’s of the Ontario Hockey League, Bowes set a new career high with 23 goals and 42 points in 67 games. Quick feet and a high-end pace highlight Bowes’ skill set.
At No. 163, the Rangers took right wing Darian Anderson out of the OHL. Last season with the Flint Firebirds, Anderson played alongside Jacob Battaglia, whom the Rangers acquired from Calgary in exchange for Brennan Othmann and their 2024 fifth-round pick Nathan Aspinall.
In his first 60 OHL games, Anderson posted 20 goals and 45 points.
“I think we checked a lot of boxes and got a lot of players that our scouts are passionate about,” Lilley said. “It’s, a lot of times, a two-year process watching these young men as underagers right through this year. I’m really excited and I know the guys in the room worked extremely hard.”
New York Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov (40) makes a stop on a shot by Detroit Red Wings left wing J.T. Compher (37) during the second period when the New York Islanders played the Detroit Red Wings Monday, November 25, 2024 at UBS Arena in Elmont, NY.
Semyon Varlamov is intent on returning to the Islanders, and he appears to be on track after missing most of the last two seasons due to major knee problems.
“As of today, actually, ‘Varly’s’ been on the ice. He told me he felt the best the last four, five years with his knees,” general manager Mathieu Darche said over Zoom on Saturday after the completion of the two-day NHL draft. “I told him you feel 25? He just said, no, 26. We’re excited the way he played in the AHL. Right now, if he’s healthy we plan on him.”
Darche is hopeful that Varlamov can play more frequently next season as Ilya Sorokin’s backup.
Semyon Varlamov (40) makes a stop on a J.T. Compher during the Islanders’ loss to the Red Wings on Nov. 25, 2024 at UBS Arena. Robert Sabo for NY Post
The team will bring in other goaltenders as insurance. One option is last year’s backup, David Rittich, who is an unrestricted free agent.
“We’re obviously going to sign other goalies, because we have to protect ourselves,” Darche said. “Hopefully, he gives us the 25-30 starts we want from a backup. He would be an awesome addition, if that works out. He’s under contract, he feels great. If he’s healthy, he’s going to be our backup next year.
“He’s been training, no medication, no anything. He’s been on the ice at Northwell [Health Ice Center] probably twice a week, if not more, and in the gym. It’s very encouraging what we’re seeing right now.”
The 38-year-old Varlamov last appeared in a game for the Islanders on Nov. 29, 2024. It was revealed late in the season he underwent two knee replacement surgeries. He was able to appear in two games for the team’s AHL affiliate in Bridgeport, while on a conditioning loan. It marked his return to professional hockey after missing over 500 days.
Darche said he isn’t planning to make a qualifying offer to restricted free agent defenseman Adam Boqvist, partly to give prospect Isaiah George an opportunity at the NHL level. It could either be as a seventh defenseman, or a bigger role.
“He might start in the top six,” Darche said. “We want competition. Maybe he pushes someone out of the lineup. We have some flexibility with the right and left guys that can play on both sides.”
When Darche said his team can never have enough quality defensemen Friday night, he wasn’t kidding.
After taking Gustafsson 13th overall, the Islanders chose American Lincoln Kuehne (109th) in the fourth round and Czech Vladimir Dravecky (141st) in the fifth. Both are right-handed defensemen, significant since the Isles are thin on the right side of their prospect pool.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders looks on as Malte Gustafsson of Sweden (center) is drafted by the Islanders with the No. 13 overall pick during on Day 1 of the 2026 NHL Draft on June 26, 2026 in Buffalo. Getty Images
They capped the draft by taking Russian center Artyom Matyuk in the sixth round (173rd) and American right wing Robert Cowan (205th) in the seventh.
Without a second- and third-round pick, the success of this draft likely will hinge on the development of Gustafsson, a big, physical defenseman who will take part in the team’s upcoming developmental camp for prospects.
The 6-foot-4, 203-pound, 18-year-old is planning to return next season to HV71 of the SHL, the top professional league in his native Sweden.
The Islanders acquired defenseman Ryan Healey from the Wild for future considerations, the team announced.
The 22-year-old was a fourth-round pick in 2022 and spent the last four seasons at Harvard.
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.
BUFFALO — And on the second day of the 2026 NHL Draft, Mike Grier rested.
That’s just a joke — after a whirlwind first round of the draft, the Nos. 2, 9, and 21 picks set up by three trades in 10 days, including a draft day deal on Friday — no doubt that the SHarks general manager was hard at work the next day. It just felt like a break with just three picks in six rounds (and a signing) on Saturday.
But Grier’s hardest work is at hand, the challenge of turning the Sharks, out the Stanley Cup playoffs for seven seasons and counting, into a contender this summer.
What can Grier do to get back — responsibly — to the postseason?
San Jose is on two timelines: In the present, Macklin Celebrini is a superstar and needs lots of help. And in the future, the Sharks’ enviable farm system lords over the league.
You can’t ask Celebrini to wait three years.
Grier did serve the future well with three picks in the first round and three to close the draft.
“He’s more hard skill, more F.U. skill than [Lucas] Raymond,” an NHL scout, not with the Sharks, said about No. 2 pick, winger Ivar Stenberg. Raymond is a point-per-game winger for the Detroit Red Wings.
“I had Verhoeff as the best [defenseman] in the draft,” the scout said about No. 9 pick Keaton Verhoeff.
“He’s just one of the best players in the draft, period,” the scout said about No. 21 pick, smaller defenseman Ryan Lin.
“Our goalie group with Ryan Miller really believes in Brady, and really likes the upside and potential,” Sharks director of amateur scouting Chris Morehouse said about No. 127 pick, 6-foot-5 goaltender Brady Knowling. “The skating, the quick feet, the athleticism, those are all things that profile really well at the next level.”
“He’s a big kid, we like his development path,” Morehouse said about No. 174 pick, 6-foot-4 center Jake Gustafson, also the son of SAP Center vice president Jon Gustafson. “He’s going to fill out his frame, he’s a good athlete, and on top of that, he’s a fantastic kid…we liked the upside.”
“There’s athleticism there, untapped,” Morehouse said about No. 201 pick, 7-foot-1 defenseman Alexander Karmanov, the tallest player ever drafted, “Raw project…we just like the potential that could be here…it’s going to be a long-term project, but kid’s a great kid, he wants to work.”
Besides expected-to-be NHL-ready winger Stenberg, however, all this doesn’t help the Sharks today. And Stenberg’s addition, theoretically, is canceled out, at least in the short-term, by the subtraction of winger William Eklund for the No. 9 pick.
So how will Grier address his team’s needs today, up front and on defense? The goaltending appears set, between young Yaroslav Askarov and veteran Alex Nedeljkovic.
Here are some ideas, a few days before the beginning of NHL free agency on July 1.
Forwards
Grier did lock up fourth-line center Zack Ostapchuk on the second day of the draft, to a four-year, $9.4 million contract ($2.35 million AAV).
Celebrini, Michael Misa, Alex Wennberg and Ostapchuk should hold the fort down the middle for the Sharks.
Stenberg, Will Smith, Igor Chernyshov, Collin Graf, Tyler Toffoli, Kiefer Sherwood, Adam Gaudette and Barclay Goodrow project to be on the wing.
Ty Dellandrea can swing between center and wing.
That’s 13 forwards already.
It doesn’t mean that the Sharks can’t get better up front. Last summer, they were interested in adding an impact winger like Mitch Marner, Nikolai Ehlers or Brock Boeser. Last summer, however, the Sharks weren’t an attractive free-agency destination.
This summer, San Jose is far more attractive, but the UFA wingers, headed by inconsistent Anthony Mantha, aren’t as tempting.
The Sharks could use more size and finish up front.
Six-foot-5 Mason Marchment has potted 63 goals over the last three seasons and could be a more realistic and reliable UFA signing.
The Athletic’s most recent offseason trade board has a host of upgrades on the wing, but most seem far-fetched, like Jason Robertson or Kirill Marchenko or Owen Tippett. If San Jose brings in an established star via trade, it should be a defenseman.
So perhaps more realistic, 6-foot-1 Rickard Rakell isn’t the biggest winger, but he’s a 200-pound player who can absolutely finish, to the tune of 20-plus goals seven times. The 33-year-old is signed to a reasonable $5 million AAV for two more years, and while acquiring him might deplete assets needed for a blueliner, he’s also not going to be close to Robertson cost-wise.
Defense
Grier probably wouldn’t admit this, but I would bet money that his dream first round would’ve been coming out with Stenberg and 25-year-old defenseman Bo Byram, the two-way right-hander potentially coming to San Jose for the Nos. 9 and 27 picks that eventually became Verhoeff and Lin.
Instead, the Chicago Blackhawks overpaid for Byram, surrendering the No. 4 pick. I certainly wouldn’t have beat that by offering the No. 2 pick for Byram.
That said, the Sharks have just left-handers Dmitry Orlov and Sam Dickinson signed. Lefty Shakir Mukhamadullin and right-hander Michael Kesselring are RFAs, both expected to be signed.
Best guess, they bring back pending UFA and right-handed PK stalwart Vinny Desharnais.
The Sharks still need a high-impact blueliner in the worst way, especially on the top power play unit.
Problem is, the UFA market appears bone-dry for top defensemen.
Twenty-two-goal scorer Darren Raddysh would’ve been the obvious play, but he’s already gone to the Toronto Maple Leafs. John Carlsson would’ve been ideal, but the veteran wants to return east.
Rasmus Andersson had an up-and-down post-NHL trade deadline stint with the Vegas Golden Knights, but he’s just 29 and can run a power play. But is the upside there with Andersson, as it was with Raddysh, to offer the right-hander a maximum-length contract?
The physical Jacob Trouba, 32, and late bloomer Ryan Shea, 29, can help, but again, how much term do you want to give them?
Meanwhile, the trade market is highlighted by reigning Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski, and the 28-year-old superstar would solve a lot of the Sharks’ blue line woes. But acquiring the left-hander would gut San Jose’s organization depth, and there’s no guarantee that the soon-to-be UFA is staying beyond 2028.
Left-hander Alexander Nikishin, just 24, is promising, but it’s concerning that the Carolina Hurricanes seem to want to move so quickly away from a rookie once trumpeted as the “best defenseman outside of the NHL.”
So, the Sharks might not be able to find high-impact defensive help this off-season? They already gave it a pretty good shot by trading Eklund away for a No. 9 believed to be earmarked for Byram.
Thirty-two-year-old Morgan Rielly, signed for $7.5 million AAV through 2030, could help the Sharks, as long as you think that his already declining skills won’t fall of a cliff. The same could be said for Darnell Nurse, but he doesn’t appear to want to go to San Jose, while Rielly is thought to be open to it.
Mason Lohrei, 25, is a gamble, and like Nikishin, why are the Boston Bruins in such a hurry to dump a young, productive defenseman?
But again, maybe the Sharks will have to wait in-season to really upgrade their defense? You never know what might become available then.
The 2026 NHL Entry Draft is complete, with nine new prospects joining the Vancouver Canucks' organization. The common theme for this draft appeared to be size, as only two of the nine prospects are listed at 6'0" or shorter. Vancouver also added five prospects listed at 200 lbs or heavier, indicating a desire to build a stronger, heavier prospect pool.
This draft was the first under Ryan Johnson as GM. While there was a regime change, the scouting staff remained the same, including Todd Harvey, the Canucks' Director of Amateur Scouting. After the draft, Harvey spoke to the media and highlighted Vancouver's plan for the 2026 draft.
"Well, obviously we've got direction, and things have changed here, obviously," said Harvey. "And you know, our direction was we wanted to get quicker. We wanted to get bigger and harder to play against. We kind of went down, sat, we talked through the list. You guys don't want to know how many times we've gone through that list. We've done it over and over again. And we got it to where we thought everything aligned, and you never know what the draft, how it kind of plays out. But to get the guys we got and kind of targeted really fit the mould here."
The Canucks newest draft class also had an international feel as eight different countries were represented. Of the eight, the only country that featured multiple prospects was Canada, with players from Belarus, Czechia, Norway, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden and the US also hearing their names called. For Harvey and his staff, the main focus of the draft is picking the best prospect, regardless of nationality.
"It's kind of funny now. Everybody's coming over. You have (Niklas Aaram-Olsen) going to BU. It's all about their development path. And, you know, I don't think we look at it that way. There were players that were from the West that were on our board, and there was players from Quebec that were on our board. So we just kind of felt that in the late round, we had some size and some speed, and he's coming over here, and I thought that was a good way we should go."
Vancouver's new draft class also features a handful of players who have already committed to the NCAA for either this season or the 2027-28 campaign. This includes third overall pick Caleb Malhotra as well as Brooks Rogowski, who was selected 33rd overall. As Harvey explained, he and his staff want to have an idea of a prospect's timeline before potentially selecting them.
"We talk about it when we're sitting in our meetings. That's a big thing. Where's he going? What's his plan? You really like when, especially when you're in the interview process with the kids, you like to know that they have a plan and kind of know the path that they're on. It does make a bit of a difference. I think this whole new way of things has changed a lot of things. And I think it's good for the players, because a lot of them sometimes aren't ready physically, and this is another path that they can go on."
Harvey was asked about the contract status of Ian Clark, who is listed on the team site under Scout and Goalie Development. Clark has helped shape the Canucks' goaltending group for nearly a decade and is considered one of the best goalie coaches in the NHL. Harvey was unable to provide an update, but did say that the organization has been in contact with Clark.
Lastly, Harvey revealed that eight of the nine prospects drafted are expected to attend development camp this year. The only exception is Russian goaltender Dmitri Ivchenko. Development camp will take place in Abbotsford this year, with on-ice sessions open to the public.
Jun 26, 2026; Buffalo, New York, USA; Caleb Malhotra reacts with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman after being selected with the third pick in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft by the Vancouver Canucks at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
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DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 22: Ivan Ivan #82 of the Colorado Avalanche looks up during a pause in the game Kraken at Ball Arena on December 22, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Ashley Potts/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
In the middle of all that Draft chaos, we almost forgot that a trade happened!
The Bruins acquired Lysell in the 2021 NHL Draft as a first round selection. While he is unquestionably talented, the AHL level seemed to be where his skillset was best utilized, as after his single season with the Vancouver Giants, he joined the Providence Bruins, and was one of their better forwards. He was, however, rarely utilized at the NHL level, only playing 12 games with the big boy club and all of it from last year. As it increasingly became clear this was not going to be a viable option for him, I think a trade like this became inevitable for the young Swede.
Ivan Ivan, on top of maybe being the best name in the NHL, was an undrafted signing for the Avalanche who has split time between the Colorado Eagles and the Avalanche. He has been a major part of the Eagles’ success through the last few years, and while he hasn’t been able to do much with last year’s Avalanche, this could be a much better opportunity for the young man to get some strong minutes, as Boston’s roster is notoriously in flux.
Analytically, Ivan Ivan is a solid depth guy who’s strength is in backchecking.
Given the team he just joined, I think he’ll do just fine.
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 28: Boston Bruins forward Fabian Lysell (23) looks on during a National Hockey League game. (Photo by Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Colorado Avalanche moved on from Ivan Ivan on Saturday—but the deal was about far more than just a name.
We have acquired Fabian Lysell from the Boston Bruins in exchange for Ivan Ivan. pic.twitter.com/Tt4kfsN6GJ
In a one-for-one trade with the Boston Bruins, Colorado acquired former 2021 first-round pick Fabian Lysell, a once-hyped offensive winger still trying to turn prospect pedigree into consistent NHL production. In return, the Avalanche parted ways with Ivan, a depth forward who carved out an NHL role after arriving to the organization as an undrafted free agent.
For Colorado, it’s a bet on untapped upside. For Boston, it’s a swap for reliability.
Lysell arrives in Denver after spending most of last season with the Providence Bruins, where he put together 17 goals and 25 assists for 42 points in 57 AHL games. He was a key contributor on a Providence team that finished with the league’s best regular-season record and claimed the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy, finishing sixth on the roster in scoring and fifth in both goals and assists.
Across four seasons in the AHL, the 23-year-old Swedish winger has been productive, totaling 57 goals and 106 assists for 163 points in 219 games with Providence. At the NHL level, he has appeared in 12 games for Boston in the 2024-25 season, recording one goal and adding two assists.
His track record before turning pro reinforced the offensive projection. With the WHL’s Vancouver Giants in 2021–22, Lysell posted 62 points in 53 games and then elevated his game in the playoffs with 21 points in 12 contests, leading the league with 17 assists during that run.
Originally selected 21st overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, Lysell also developed through Luleå HF in Sweden’s SHL after coming up in Frölunda’s junior system. On the international stage, he has represented Sweden twice at major tournaments, earning bronze at both the 2021 IIHF Under-18 World Championship and the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Ivan’s path looks very different.
Signed by Colorado in March 2024 after going undrafted, he worked his way into 49 NHL games with the Avalanche, producing five goals and four assists while establishing himself as a steady, energy-driven bottom-six presence. He also logged extensive time with the Colorado Eagles, recording 25 goals and 44 assists across 169 AHL appearances. That should have been enough to graduate to the NHL level but with his contract now complete the Avalanche were at a crossroads with him.
The move ultimately comes down to projection versus production. Colorado is wagering that Lysell’s offensive toolkit still hasn’t fully translated at the NHL level, while Boston adds a player whose role and identity are already defined. Both are Restricted Free Agents but with Lysell coming off his Entry Level Contract he does not hold arbitration rights like Ivan does. Clearly Colorado’s strategy is to hope one of these 2021 first round picks (along with Fyodor Svechkov and Zach L’Heureux) stick hoping another organization’s development will pay off for them.
Just when it appeared they were probably done selecting in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins snuck in to snag one more player to complete their draft class.
The Penguins acquired the 160th overall pick from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round pick and used it to draft Russian goaltender Matvei Nikonovich. The Belarusian netminder posted impressive numbers last season in the MHL - Russia's junior league - including a 20-14-4 record with a .939 save percentage and a 1.96 goals-against average in 38 games.
He stands at 6-foot-2, 187 pounds, and, according to Elite Prospects, he is known for his strong tracking ability as well as his power.
Nikonovich was one of 31 goaltenders selected in this year's draft, which is an atypically high number. He was obviously what the Penguins deemed a "value pick" in the later rounds, where they've found some value before: top goaltending prospect Sergei Murashov - a fellow Russian - was a fourth-round selection (118th overall) in 2022, and he took a similar path as Nikonovich and had similar numbers in the MHL.
After a frantic Friday that featured two first-round picks, two trades and a contract extension, Saturday was a little quieter for the Ottawa Senators.
But while there wasn't nearly as much drama, day two of the NHL Draft revealed a lot about organizational need. When a team spends its first five picks on skilled forwards, it's difficult not to conclude that management believes the organization needs more skill up front.
The Senators had three picks in round three, then the standard single pick in rounds four, five, and six. Just as they did in round one with Jonas Lagerberg Hoen and Jaxon Cover, the Sens used all of their third-round picks on skilled forwards.
72 W Adam Nemec (OHL, Sudbury) 87 C Oscar Holmertz (SWE-Jr, Linkoping HC) 91 W Louis-Felix Bourque (QMJHL, Drummondville) 110 G Elliot Lennon (MA-HS, Deerfield) 151 D Harris Pangretitsch (OHL, Sault Ste. Marie) 183 D Alexander Grunin (RUS-MHL, Sibirskie Snaipery Novosibirsk)
72 W Adam Nemec (OHL, Sudbury)
The Sens opened day 2 of the draft at 72 with number 71 from the Sudbury Wolves, Adam Nemec. Nemec certainly comes from fine NHL bloodlines as his older brother, Simon, was the second overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. Simon, an RFA, was just traded from New Jersey to Calgary.
The younger Nemec started his draft year in Slovakia, playing 28-games with HK Nitra. But being a men's league, he didn't get a ton of ice time, which wasn't ideal for his NHL draft year. So after putting up five points in five games at the World Juniors, he shifted to the OHL, right in the middle of the season, to play for the Sudbury Wolves.
If that proved to be a culture shock, it didn't show. Nemec, a 6-foot, 173 pound winger, put up 35 points in 31 games for the Wolves.
87 C Oscar Holmertz (SWE-Jr, Linkoping HC)
The Senators have suddenly developed a fondness for Swedish players.
In the last week, they've acquired winger William Eklund, goalie Samuel Ersson, winger Andre Burakovsky, and at the draft they made Jonas Lagerberg Hoen their first pick at 25th overall.
On Saturday, they went with another Swedish forward at 87, drafting Oscar Holmertz. The 6-foot, 187 pound centre had 34 points in 36 games with Linkoping HC Jr. He also got into 11 games with Linkoping's men's team.
91 W Louis-Felix Bourque (QMJHL, Drummondville)
The Senators stayed with their forward theme with their final third-round pick, taking Louis-Felix Bourque. Bourque had 24 goals and 49 points in 54 games for Drummondville in the Q this season. At just 17, he already possesses NHL size at 6-foot-2 and 214 pounds.
110 G Elliot Lennon (MA-HS, Deerfield)
In round four, the Senators decided to end the run of forwards by adding to their goaltending depth, drafting 6-foot-six high schooler, Elliot Lennon. As you might imagine, Lennon posted fantastic stats in his three years at Deerfield Academy. He's committed to Brown University for the 2027-28 season. He'll play this fall for the USHL's Madison Capitols. He suited up for two games with the Caps this season.
151 D Harris Pangretitsch (OHL, Sault Ste. Marie)
At this stage in the draft, the Senators turned their attention to shutdown defensemen with size, and at 6-foot-4, 219 pounds, the right-shot Pangretitsch certainly fits that bill. He won't drive offence, but his improvements through the season were obvious.
Pangretitsch also has a strong academic reputation, reportedly carrying a 95 average in school.
183 D Alexander Grunin (RUS-MHL, Sibirskie Snaipery Novosibirsk)
At 6-foot-4, 185 pounds, Grunin still has some filling out to do, but he's also seen as a shutdown defenseman with good mobility. He scored 15 points in 44 games with the wonderfully-named Sibirskie Snaipery Novosibirsk. (RUS-MHL).
Dylan Griffing from Elite Prospects mentioned on social media that Grunin is very raw, but hyper-mobile and one of the biggest wild cards in the draft, but also had a scary year-end, getting stretchered off the ice during the Russian U18 Finals. He played in the following game, but only for a few minutes.
The Sens' 2026 draft class paints a fairly clear picture.
The team prioritized offensive skill early, leaned heavily into European talent, and then rounded out the class with size on D. As with any draft, it will be years before we can properly evaluate these choices, but the organization's blueprint was hard to miss.
In the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft, the Kings selected Elton Hermansson with the 19th overall pick. This selection was crucial for Los Angeles, and it might be the best decision for the team’s future.
Hermansson is a young prospect from Modo Hockey, which is a team from the professional Swedish league, HockeyAllsvenskan. In this league, the 18-year-old winger showed immense promise as a goalscorer.
As the second-youngest player on the Modo Hockey roster in 2026, Hermansson recorded 11 goals. He had the fourth-highest goal total on the team and was the only player under 25 in the top five.
While Hermansson was a key contributor to Modo Hockey, he generated his production in fewer games. He only played 38 games, which ranked nineteenth in most games played on the team.
Despite having a smaller sample size, Hermansson generated 21 total points and a plus-nine in total net rating. Thus demonstrating the amount of impact Hermansson had when he was on the ice.
Only one year removed from Örebro U20, Hermansson managed to translate his production into a league against grown men. While the NHL is another level above HockeyAllsvenskan, it is still worth noting how well Hermansson can adjust to better leagues.
Early in his Modo Hockey tenure, Hermansson learned that he couldn’t live on the perimeter. This allowed Hermansson to adjust his game by becoming more physical and more drives to the net.
This allowed Hermansson to mature as a puck handler and overall playmaker within the offense. The maturation of a young player to adjust his game against more experienced players, is a valuable trait.
Maturing as a player is the reason why Hermanson improved in the HockeyAllsvenskan and why he was drafted in the first place. Hermanson will have to adapt and evolve his game once again when he suits up for the Kings.
Los Angeles selected Hermansson hoping that he could become the forward that could reshape this struggling offense. Last season, the Kings scored 2.68 goals per game, which ranked 29th in the NHL.
Along with other moves like hiring Peter Laviolette as the coach, the Kings are orchestrating moves to help in the future. The next few years are set for Los Angeles to build a culture around a stronger offense.
Hermansson is part of that piece in that process as a scoring wing for this team. There is plenty of excitement for Hermansson to eventually find his way on the Kings roster.
“The team is great. You know a lot of Swedes played there, like Kempe [and] Grundstrom, said Hermansson. “Great team, great history. Looking forward to visiting the city there and the facilities.”
Before Hermansson finally makes the NHL, there is a development process that will take place. This includes more time with Modo Hockey and most likely some time with the Ontario Reign.
So when the time comes for Hermansson to play his first game for the Kings, he is expected to be a valuable contributor on offense. This draft pick can help Los Angeles find that winger who delivers the firepower this team has desperately needed.
The Nashville Predators ended Friday with a bang at the NHL Draft in Buffalo, drafting forward Wyatt Cullen (10th overall) and defenseman Thomas Bleyl (31st overall) in the first round.
After dealing off both of their second-round picks for Carolina's 31st overall selection, the Predators had a slow start to Saturday, kicking off the day in the third round. However, they still had eight slots left to fill before the day was over
Here is every transaction the Predators made in rounds 3-7 of the NHL Draft.
PICK: 3rd Round, 70th Overall: Dmitri Borichev, G, Loko 76 Yaroslavl (Russia)
Nashville opened the day selecting its first goalie of this year's draft in Dmitri Borichev, a 6-foot-2, 188-pound goalie from Vologda, Russia, at 70th overall.
He played this past season with Loko 76 Yaroslavl, Russia's MHL junior league. In 24 games, Borichev posted a 12-8-3 record, with three shutouts. He had a .929 save percentage and a 2.25 goals against average.
Borichev was named the NHL Central Scouting's top-ranked international goaltender for this year's Draft.
Borichev is expected to return to the MHL next season.
TRADE: Massimo Rizzo, 148th Pick To Rangers For Forward Adam Edstrom
TRADE 🔄
We've acquired forward Adam Edstrom from the Rangers in exchange for forward Massimo Rizzo and pick no. 148 in this year's draft.
The first active player that the Predators have acquired in this draft, Nashville sent center Massimo Rizzo and the 148th overall pick to the New Rangers for forward Adam Edstrom.
He is a massive addition to the lineup, size-wise, with a 6-foot-7, 232-pound build. Edstrom played 35 games with the Rangers this season, recording five points off three goals and two assists.
Edstrom's time in New York was marred by injuries as he missed the majority of last season with a fractured ankle. Upon his return in March, he was scratched for the final 11 games of the season.
He's played in 97 NHL games from the 2023-24 season, recording 16 points off 10 goals and six assists.
Rizzo has not played a game in Nashville since his acquisition from the Boston Bruins in 2025 and has played 13 games with the Milwaukee Admirals, scoring 5 points.
PICK: 4th Round, 106th overall Jakub Floris, D, Lukko (Finland)
Nashville opened up the fourth round selecting Jakub Floris, a 6-foot-3, 183-pound right-shot defenseman from Bratislava, Slovakia, at 106th overall.
He played this past season with Lukko Jr. in Finland's U-20 league. There, he recorded 18 points in 38 games, with 10 goals and eight assists.
Floris also played for Slovakia at the IIHF U-18 World Championship, scoring four points off two goals and two assists in seven games. He is expected to make the jump to Liiga, Finland's top professional hockey league, this fall.
The second American selection by the Predators comes in the form of Justin Graf, a 6-foot-1, 174-pound left-shot center from Boston, Massachusetts, at 118th overall.
In his first season in the USHL with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, Graf had 55 points in 52 games, with 23 goals and 32 assists.
He won a Gold Medal with Team USA at the U19 World Junior A Challenge, recording an assist in five games. Graf will be playing at Harvard University starting this fall.
Graf also has some NHL roots in his family as his brother is Colin Graf, a forward with the San Jose Sharks.
PICK: 5th Round, 138th overall Philip Hemmyr, LW, Bjrokloven (Sweden)
The third lefty shot of this draft, the Predators selected Philip Hemmyr, a 6-foot-1, 170-pound left-winger from Umeå, Sweden, with the 138th overall pick.
He primarily played with Bjrokloven in Sweden's second-tier professional league, scoring 12 points in 36 games, with six goals and six assists.
Hemmyr was promoted to the league after a dominant 27-game stretch in Sweden's U-20 league, scoring 44 points off 19 goals and 25 assists.
He's expected to stay with Bjrokloven this coming season, but play in the Swedish Hockey League, the country's top league.
TRADE: 160th Overall Pick To Pittsburgh Penguins For 2028 Fifth Round Pick
The Predators now have 10 picks in the 2028 NHL Draft, two in the fifth round.
PICK: 6th Round, 179th Overall Benjamin Cossette-Ayotte, D, Val-D'Or (QMJHL)
Just two selections in this draft from the Canadian Hockey League as Benjamin Cossette-Ayotte comes in at 179th overall, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound right-shot defenseman from Trios-Rivières, Quebec.
He spent this past season with the Val-D'Or Foreurs in the QMJHL, scoring 38 points, with 4 goals and 34 assists, in 62 games. It was his second season in the league and first as an assistant captain.
PICK: 7th Round, 202nd Overall Charlie Puglisi, C, Winchendon School (HS-MA)
The Predators' final pick of the 2026 NHL Draft came in Charlie Puglisi at 202nd overall, a 6-foot, 162-pound right-shot center from Latham, New York.
Unlike his counterparts, he did not play junior or professional hockey this year, but high school hockey in Massachusetts. Puglisi played at Winchendon School, scoring 76 points off 26 goals and 50 assists in 35 games.
He also played in the Eastern Hockey Federation's U-18 league with the Islanders Hockey Club Prep East, scoring 31 points (10 goals and 21 assists) in 25 games.
Puglisi will play with the Kitchener Rangers this coming season and is committed to Cornell University for the 2027-28 season.
With the third-to-last pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, which was acquired from Colorado, the New Jersey Devils selected Quinn McKenzie from the Soo Greyhounds of the OHL. In 2026-27, McKenzie will be playing for the Penn State Nittany Lions. For such a late pick in the draft, there is actually a lot to like here! Quinn had 21 goals and 30 assists in 65 games for the Greyhounds this season, jumping from Shattuck St. Mary’s to the OHL and putting up a very good season in third-line minutes. I am actually surprised, looking at his profile, that he never got much scouting attention, especially with his five goals and seven points in 10 playoff games for Soo. However, he is a 5’10” and 176 pound right-handed center, so maybe the size factor made him slip through the cracks. The Maryland-native also grades out very well on Mitchell Brown’s CHL tracking project for a prospect this late in the draft, with solid passing and defensive skills.
You can see here that the areas McKenzie will have to work on the most are his turnovers. He has been a puck-dominant center in the OHL, and it does seem that he struggled a bit with puck protection at times. However, with an ability to get back and strong impact on getting the puck out of the defensive zone and past center ice, McKenzie has a strong base to establish himself as a third or fourth-line winger if he cannot quite drive the offense as a center. Brock Otten, the Director of Scouting for McKeen’s Hockey, liked this one quite a bit:
Great to see Quinn McKenzie go. Small, but quick and a high end playmaker. Really good in transition. If you're going to take a chance on a smaller player, this is the kind you roll the dice on like New Jersey did. #NHLDraft
He is a player that wants to be good for his team. Back in October, when the season was just getting underway, McKenzie was featured in the The Sault Star after scoring an overtime winner over the Kitchener Rangers. Despite having three points in a 5-4 win, McKenzie apologized to his team postgame, per head coach John Dean, for his play in the first period. You can see the highlights from that game below. On the overtime goal, McKenzie spins off a defender along the boards and goes right to the net, ending the game.
This might be the kind of player he is. When he scored his first OHL goal, he won a puck battle on the boards at a tough angle and then went around to the net, scoring on a rebound.
Unfortunately, as a largely unranked player, McKenzie lacks the usual highlight packages I could normally point to even though he had the statistical production to assemble such a video. Maybe one comes out eventually. Maybe he gets added to the NHLe databases. We’ll see. For now, feel free to vote in our flash poll and leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Andre Burakovsky’s career has turned into a steady loop of new stops and short stays. The latest came Friday, when the Chicago Blackhawks dealt him to the Ottawa Senators for a 2027 sixth-round pick.
He leaves Chicago after one season that felt functional more than anything else. Burakovsky posted 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in 75 games after arriving from the Seattle Kraken on June 21, 2025. Middle-six minutes, secondary scoring, dependable enough—but never really a defining piece of the lineup.
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) June 26, 2026
He is entering the final year of a five-year, $27.5 million contract ($5.5 million AAV) signed with Seattle in July 2022 and will become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Across 771 regular-season games, he has 420 points (164 goals, 256 assists). He also has 47 points in 93 playoff games and two Stanley Cup championships.
Drafted 23rd overall by the Washington Capitals in 2013, Burakovsky has now played for Washington, Colorado, Seattle, Chicago, and Ottawa. The production has been steady enough over time, but the role has shifted almost everywhere he’s gone.
The clearest version of his impact still traces back to Colorado.
He wasn’t a driver on that 2022 team, but he didn’t need to be on a roster that went on to win the Stanley Cup. Colorado was built to overwhelm teams with speed and skill. His job was simpler—finish plays when they opened up, and be ready for the moments that could swing a game.
Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final against Tampa Bay is still the reference point. The game went to overtime, tight and tense, and Burakovsky finished it—scoring the winner in a 4-3 Avalanche victory that set the tone for a series Colorado would close out in six games.
That’s still the moment people remember. Not because it defines his career, but because it shows what he’s always been: a player who can matter without ever being the center of it.
In Ottawa, that’s the bet again.
Senators general manager Steve Staios put it simply.
“Andre adds skill and playmaking ability to our forward group,” Staios said. “We are happy to add the pedigree of a two-time Stanley Cup champion.”
For Ottawa, it’s another depth move—an experienced winger who can slide into the middle six, chip in offense, and help stabilize shifts when games tighten.
The Senators also made another move Friday, acquiring goaltender Samuel Ersson from the Toronto Maple Leafs for a 2026 fifth-round pick, part of a broader stretch of roster reshaping.
Burakovsky’s career doesn’t come with permanence at this point. It hasn’t for a while. But he keeps finding teams that believe there’s still enough there to make a difference.
The Chicago Blackhawks went a long while without making a selection in the 2026 NHL Draft, but they came back on the clock twice during the seventh round.
With their first of two, they took Russian defenseman Alexander Ivanov with the 194th pick. Ivanov is more of a defensive defenseman with size, standing at 6'1" and 181 lbs.
There is not one part of Ivanov's game that sticks out as NHL caliber, which will have to change if he ever wants to make it, but he is a well-rounded player who knows how to play the position. He has pro experience under his belt already, so it's on him to work his way over to North America.
With the 200th overall pick, the Blackhawks selected William Sorbrand. This was a case of the Blackhawks adding a big forward with their last pick, as Sorbrand of Sweden comes in at 6'4" and 209 lbs.
During his draft year, he spent time with each level of the Swedish Elite League as a member of Timra IK.
That made it five total picks for the Blackhawks over the course of the entire draft, which is the least they've made in the Kyle Davidson era, including no first-round selections for the first time.
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The Anaheim Ducks made nine selections in the 2026 NHL Draft over the two-day event in Buffalo, NY on June 26 and 27.
They made two significant trades on Day 1 of the draft, parting with young center Mason McTavish (3rd overall in 2021) and young, budding defenseman Olen Zellweger (33rd in ’21). On the eve of the draft night, the Ducks didn’t have any first-round picks for the first time since 2017, but by trading McTavish, they acquired two: the 15th and 29th overall picks.
Due to the uncertain nature of evaluating draft picks, as they’re incredibly young and likely will take several years to reach the NHL, if at all, it’s difficult to dislike any selection made by any team at any point in the draft. With that said, for this exercise, instead of typical letter grades, I have graded the Ducks' selections in terms of “Cold Stone Creamery” ice cream sizes, which reflect varying degrees of enjoyment: “Like It,” Love It,” and “Gotta Have It.”
15. Nikita Klepov, LW, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
6-Foot | 187 Pounds
Grade: Gotta Have It
Heading into the draft, Klepov was ranked around this position, with a range of 15 to 25. He led the OHL in scoring with 97 points (37-60=97) in 67 regular season games, and dictates every aspect of play with the puck on his stick. He’s calculating, deceptive, tenacious, and has some of the top pure skill in this entire draft class.
The reason this pick receives such a high grade from me is, in large part, the cost it took to make this selection. The Ducks had Klepov targeted, and general manager Pat Verbeek stated that if he weren’t available at 15, the Ducks wouldn’t have made the deal. Klepov will forever be tied to Mason McTavish for the duration of their careers, and the Ducks put their neck out by trading a former third-overall pick in a trade where he’s the centerpiece coming back.
Other players that Verbeek and Martin Madden, as a duo, have staked their reputation on whether it’s selecting them higher than they were projected or have traded up for in the first round include Leo Carlsson (2nd in ’23), Beckett Sennecke (3rd in ’24), and Stian Solberg (23rd in ’24).
“I think our scouts were super excited, but I was (also) super excited to get to him just because I think he provides what I call a 50-50 player in a sense,” Verbeek told media after the first round. “He's equal part goalscorer, equal part playmaker. He does have creativity, has really good hockey sense, and with an 18-year-old, they need to get stronger.
“And I believe over the next year or so, if we get him stronger, he's going to be in a place that's going to be really good to play in the NHL. We just like his compete level. We like the drive that he has to score goals. And right now, it's just a matter of getting him stronger because there's a lot of really top-notch athletic ability with this player as well.”
Beyond the top ten, for the most part, the Ducks have been relatively safe with the type of player they select in the late-first round and into the second round. They’ve preferred more projectable, potentially lower-ceiling players. However, with this pick and their second first-round pick, they gambled big on upside.
28. Marcus Nordmark, W, Djurgardens IF (U20 Sweden)
6-foot-2 | 187 Pounds
Grade: Like It
This pick was a significant bet on talent for the Ducks, looking to add dynamism to their forward pipeline. Nordmark has every imaginable physical tool aside from skating. His processing speed with the puck on his stick is high-level, his release is quick and heavy, and he’s a plus facilitator.
The question marks surrounding Nordmark’s game appear to be mostly between the ears. He lacks consistency, and with that, his compete level can appear lacking. He has good defensive instincts, but could stand to improve his forechecking and stride-to-stride involvement.
The Ducks clearly believe in their development staff to get the most out of the mental aspects of Nordmark’s game. This is a bet on upside that most followers crave their teams make at this position in the draft.
In an unusual tactic, the Ducks traded up one single spot from 29 to 28 to take Nordmark.
“That's the deal. When you start looking at your board, and you start looking at your list, you don't want to take a chance,” Verbeek said when asked about trading up so minimally. “I didn't feel like we had the chance to do it (at 29th overall versus 28th overall), and I don't like taking chances to hope that that player is going to be there. We like the player a lot, and we want to be aggressive to make sure that we got that player.”
45. Jayden Kurtz, RHD, Rogers High School (USHS-MN)
6-foot-3 | 194 Pounds
Grade: Like It
As has become tradition to an extent, the Ducks went a bit off the board with an early Day 2 pick when they selected Jayden Kurtz from the Minnesota high school hockey circuit. Kurtz is a long, responsible defender who could be classified as a “long-term project” for Anaheim.
Kurtz scored 38 points (13-25=38) in 26 high school games in 2025-26 and added three points (1-2=3) in 16 USHL games in a stint with the Chicago Steel to end the campaign. This selection is reminiscent of when they selected Jackson LaCombe with the 39th overall pick in the 2019 draft.
Kurtz will play his 2026-27 season at the University of Wisconsin in the NCAA.
50. Mathis Preston, RW, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
5-foot-11 | 176 Pounds
Grade: Gotta Have It
This is yet another bet on upside, as Preston is one of the more electric players in the 2026 Draft. He’s the shiftiest, fastest skater in the class with lightning hands and a lightning release. He’s more of a transition expert than a cycle play driver, but his instant offense is a tool that any team could use.
His length is roughly NHL average, but he’ll need to add to his 176-pound frame in the next couple of seasons to round out his toolkit. Preston’s lack of a “B Game” is what likely caused his drop into the second round, but the Ducks can afford to take a gamble on tremendous offensive upside, which is why this is my favorite pick of the draft.
Mathis finished his WHL season with 44 points (18-26=44) in 46 games, split between the Spokane Chiefs and Vancouver Giants, and ended his season playing for Canada at the U18 World Championships, where he scored six points (2-4=6) in five games.
“I think I’m a dynamic skater. I love to attack off the rush, play in-zone,” Preston said after he was drafted. “I think I make my teammates around me better, and I learn people’s games so that I can help them. I know their strengths and where they’re comfortable. I think that helps the team, overall.”
82. Rian Chudzinski, RW, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
6-foot-1 | 191 Pounds
Grade: Like It
After four high-upside potential projects, the Ducks went back to the well of selecting a translatable, responsible, north/south forward in the third round with their selection of Rian Chudzinski.
Chudzinski plays a pacey “meat and potatoes” game, where he makes an impact on the forecheck, provides a physical presence, and gets to the hard areas of the ice. The production will likely never come around, and he projects to top out with a fourth-line toolkit.
He scored 38 points (21-17=38) in 54 games and added 17 (6-11=17) in 21 playoff games during Moncton’s run to the QMJHL final. It’s unclear where he’ll play his hockey in 2026-27.
146. Eric Frossard, LHD, Guelph Storm (OHL)
6-foot-6 | 206 Pounds
Grade: Love It
Frossard’s size, defensive fundamentals, and projectability render it somewhat of a surprise that he was available this late into the draft for the Ducks. His skills aren’t dazzling, but are good enough to retrieve a puck, make a first pass, and feed shots through from the point.
His expertise is defense, specifically eliminating angles and protecting the net front. He likely has bottom pair upside, and it will take him several years of development before he may even sniff NHL action, but certainly a worthwhile gamble in the fifth round.
He scored 14 points (5-9=14) in 51 games for Guelph in 2025-26. He’ll look to round out and develop more of a robust offensive game in 2026-27, again playing for Guelph, but he’ll make the jump to the NCAA in 2027-28 to play for the University of Notre Dame.
“I’m a big defenseman who skates really well, plays a really strong defensive game, use my stick, closes fast, but also has some offensive ability and more of a two-way style,” Frossard said after his selection. “I use my skating to join the rush and try to help the team score as well.”
178. Gleb Peshkov, G, Taifun Primorsky Krai (MHL Russia)
6-foot-3 | 212 Pounds
Grade: Love It
The Ducks rarely exit a draft without selecting a goaltender. This year, it was Peshkov in the sixth round. The Ducks will add him to their goalie pipeline that includes Tomas Suchanek, Damian Clara, Vyacheslav Buteyets, and Elijah Neuenschwander.
Peshkov is reported to be an athletic, but very raw goaltender who managed a .930 SV% in 47 MHL games in 2025-26. Positioning and puck tracking seem to be areas in need of improvement for Peshkov before he potentially makes the transition to North America.
192. Noah Kosick, C, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
6-foot | 160 Pounds
Grade: Like It
The Ducks acquired the 192nd pick in the 2026 NHL draft along with ECHL defenseman Kyle Masters (23) from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for the signing rights for veteran defenseman John Carlson. With the pick, the Ducks selected Kosick, a playmaking center from the WHL who has good vision, hockey sense, and puck skills, but needs to round out every other aspect of his game.
He scored 54 points (16-38=54) in 69 games in 2025-26, split between the Swift Current Broncos and Seattle Thunderbirds. He is reportedly heading to the University of Michigan in the NCAA for the 2026-27 season.
210. James Rieber, RHD, Waterloo Blackhawks (USHL)
6-foot-2 | 176 Pounds
Grade: Like It
With their final selection in the draft, the Ducks took a swing on Rieber, who scored 11 points (2-9=11) in 60 regular season USHL games. He’s committed to Miami University (Ohio) in the NCAA for the 2027-28 season and will presumably play another year in the USHL next season.
Ducks defenseman John Carlson speaks to the media during his 2025-26 exit interview.
The writing appeared to be on the wall when it came to John Carlson leaving the Ducks via free agency, but it was confirmed on Saturday afternoon after they traded Carlson’s rights to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for defenseman Kyle Masters and the 192nd overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. The Ducks used that pick to select forward Noah Kostick from the Seattle Thunderbirds in the WHL.
Carlson was acquired this past March from the Washington Capitals and after a delayed debut due to a lingering lower-body injury that he suffered prior to the trade, he played in 16 regular season games for the Ducks. He scored his first professional hat trick on Apr. 9 against the San Jose Sharks and arguably helped the Ducks reach the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
He helped solidify the right side of the Ducks’ defense behind Jacob Trouba and contributed well during their Round 1 series against the Edmonton Oilers. However, he did not fare as well in Round 2 against the Vegas Golden Knights’ suffocating forecheck and stingy penalty kill.
Following the conclusion of the Ducks 2025-26 season after their Round 2 loss to the Golden Knights, reports began to surface that Carlson was seeking a return to the East Coast. Eventually, Carlson’s agent, Rick Curran, confirmed that Carlson would not be returning to the Ducks.
Saturday’s trade helps Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek recoup a small amount of value for Carlson after initially trading a first-round pick and a third-round pick for him.
