One miserable week doesn't erase six brilliant months, and Joe Sakic made it abundantly clear the Colorado Avalanche have no intention of confusing disappointment with disaster.

The Avalanche bulldozed the NHL on their way to the Presidents' Trophy, finishing as the league's highest-scoring team while allowing the fewest goals. For most of the season, they looked less like contenders and more like an inevitable champion.

Then came four games against the Vegas Golden Knights.

The sweep was ugly. It was frustrating. It was also, in Sakic's eyes, far too small a sample to justify detonating a roster built to compete for championships.

“We could panic and try and blow everything up and start all over,” Sakic told reporters. “But this team, what they’ve done over the course of the year, was pretty remarkable. Now, I want to give them an opportunity to try and do it again.”

That philosophy should shape every major decision the Avalanche make this summer.

You don't tear down a mansion because one toilet clogged.

For weeks, speculation has surrounded Colorado's unrestricted free agents, but Sakic's comments paint a much different picture than the one many fans expected.

If the general manager genuinely believes the Western Conference Final was little more than one terrible stretch against an elite opponent, there is little incentive to gut the supporting cast that helped produce a 121-point season.

That could mean a majority—if not all—of Colorado's unrestricted free agents return.

Nick Blankenburg proved to be a dependable seventh defenseman, Brent Burns showed he could still handle significant minutes at 41 years old, Brett Kulak brought stability to the blue line after arriving at the trade deadline, and Joel Kiviranta battled through multiple injuries to provide a steady, reliable presence even if the offensive production never fully materialized. Kiviranta also earned a spot on Finland's roster for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, where he represented his country alongside fellow Avalanche forward Artturi Lehkonen and former Colorado star Mikko Rantanen.

Keeping that group intact would align far more closely with Sakic's public message than pursuing wholesale change.

The bigger question belongs to restricted free agent Jack Drury.

According to DNVR's AJ Haefele, Drury declined multiple contract offers from the Avalanche during the season. That naturally raises concerns about whether negotiations could become complicated, but it doesn't necessarily mean the two sides are headed for a breakup.

Negotiations often become a game of patience.

And Colorado has a compelling comparable.

As The Hockey News' Stefano Rubino recently noted, the Minnesota Wild signed veteran center Michael McCarron to a six-year contract carrying a $3.33 million average annual value. Drury is smaller, younger and brings a completely different skill set, but his value to Colorado extends far beyond the scoresheet.

His faceoff numbers routinely climb above 60 percent, making him one of the NHL's most dependable specialists. Whether protecting a one-goal lead late in the third period or creating an offensive-zone possession after an icing call, Drury consistently wins critical draws that tilt games.

Fourth-line centers rarely command massive contracts, but elite defensive centers who dominate the faceoff circle are considerably harder to replace than many realize.

Finding common ground should remain a priority.

None of this means the Avalanche will spend the offseason standing still.

Sakic acknowledged the organization will examine every avenue to improve the roster, including the trade market. Without an abundance of premium draft picks, player-for-player hockey trades may become Colorado's preferred method of creating flexibility.

Ross Colton remains an obvious candidate.

The 28-year-old enters the final season of his four-year, $16 million contract, and Colorado explored moving him before the trade deadline without finding a suitable partner. His postseason usage also raised eyebrows after he was scratched for the first two games against the Los Angeles Kings before eventually returning to the lineup.

Valeri Nichushkin's future is another conversation that refuses to disappear.

At his best, Nichushkin is one of hockey's most dominant power forwards, capable of controlling games with his size, puck protection and two-way play. He is also signed through 2030 with a $6.125 million annual cap hit.

The challenge isn't talent.

It's availability.

Nichushkin missed the final five games of Colorado's first-round series against Seattle in 2023 after leaving the team for what the organization described as personal reasons. A Seattle police report later revealed an intoxicated woman had been discovered in his hotel room before Game 3.

Months later, he entered Stage 1 of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, which carries no disciplinary penalty but requires inpatient treatment.

After returning and producing nine goals in eight playoff games, Nichushkin suffered another setback, failed a drug test and entered Stage 3 of the program, resulting in a suspension without pay for a minimum of six months.

Since being reinstated, however, there have been no additional incidents, and by all accounts he has remained in good standing while returning to the lineup.

That reality makes any decision involving Nichushkin far more nuanced than simply measuring goals and assists.

The Avalanche certainly have options this summer, but Sakic's comments suggest evolution rather than revolution.

Colorado does not believe its championship window has slammed shut.

Instead, the organization views the season-ending stretch as an outlier that interrupted what was otherwise one of the strongest regular-season performances in franchise history. But as has been reported extensively, it wasn’t simply a bad week. There were underlying issues that were exposed and never fully corrected, and addressing those gaps will be a priority moving forward—whether that means adding a young left-shot defenseman via trade, or injecting more size and physicality up front.

If the man in charge truly holds that belief, it’s unlikely he will overhaul a roster that spent six months proving it belongs among the NHL’s elite.

The Stanley Cup is days from being awarded, the NHL combine has concluded, and in the weeks prior to the NHL Draft at the end of June, the rumor mill has been churning under the surface, as we may be on the precipice of an explosive summer or a disappointing one in terms of player movement. Two high-profile players (Dylan Larkin and Darnell Nurse) have already requested trades from the teams that drafted them, and indications suggest there may be more to come. 

The Anaheim Ducks are notoriously quiet, especially at this time of the year, keeping their cards close to their chest. As a result, their name has only been mentioned in speculation, but, in a refreshing change of pace, that speculation has focused on significant potential moves. 

How the Anaheim Ducks can Become a Destination for Star Players

The Anaheim Ducks’ 2025-26 Starting XI

Coaches

It appeared as though Ducks’ current assistant coach, Jay Woodcroft, was a finalist for the head coaching vacancy with the rival Los Angeles Kings. NHL insider, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, reported on Sunday that the list of finalists included Peter Laviolette, and Laviolette was ultimately hired on Monday. 

The only head coaching vacancies remaining in the NHL are with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers. The Leafs are reported to have made contact with former Ducks head coach Dallas Eakins and are uninterested in Woodcroft. Both are former head coaches of the Edmonton Oilers, and thus their names haven’t appeared in rumors regarding that vacancy. 

However, another former Ducks head coach, Mike Babcock, is reported to be the frontrunner for the Edmonton job, pending an NHLPA investigation into reported wrongdoing during his time with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023. 

Lastly, San Diego Gulls head coach Matt McIlvane has been announced as assistant coach for the Boston Bruins and head coach Marco Sturm. Sturm was the head coach of Germany’s national team during the 2018 Winter Olympics, with McIlvane serving as his assistant. 

McIlvane will fill the vacancy left behind by Jay Leach, who was announced as head coach of the AHL’s Hartford Wolfpack. The Gulls will now need to fill their head coaching vacancy, and Friedman suggested Gulls assistant coach Dave Manson may be in line for a promotion to the position.

Dylan Larkin

Following Larkin’s trade request from the Detroit Red Wings, he submitted an initial list of destinations he’d be willing to accept a trade to. The teams on the list have been in contention, with Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reporting them to be the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, and Vegas Golden Knights. Various other reports have suggested the Tampa Bay Lightning and/or Dallas Stars are on the list.

Since reports of his three-team list arose, Larkin has been requested by Wings general manager Steve Yzerman to expand his list. If his list were to expand, St. James and others have suggested the Ducks may be on that second list. 

Elliotte Friedman reported that he, “had not heard Anaheim, but I’ve had people say to me, ‘Anaheim is a team that could do it.’” He went on to speculate during “NHL Tonight” that, “If it’s the Ducks, maybe you get Mason McTavish and something.”

Mason McTavish

McTavish continues to be the name that the national media discusses from the Ducks roster in terms of potential availability for a trade. The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun relayed on TSN Radio’s “Melnick in the Afternoon” on Wednesday that teams continue to call Ducks GM Pat Verbeek on his status. 

“I really think there’s a chance he gets moved,” LeBrun said. “I think teams are obviously intrigued, given where he was drafted and his pedigree, but also concerned because they’re wondering what’s happening there. They want to know why the Ducks are taking so many calls on him.”

Auston Matthews

For the first time in Matthews’ career, the Toronto Maple Leafs failed to qualify for the playoffs in 2025-26. They are heading in a new direction, with a new front office, eventually a new coach, and the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. 

It had been reported that one of the Leafs’ goals, from ownership and the new front office, was to sell Matthews on a direction for the organization, and it would appear they have no intention of moving on from their captain in 2026. 

However, that hasn’t stopped insiders like LeBrun from speculating on the matter. He reported the Ducks, along with the Kings and Utah Mammoth, had been keeping tabs on Toronto’s situation. 

“So, unless something dramatic happens in the coming weeks, the Leafs captain will be back next season in Toronto,” LeBrun wrote in his “Rumblings” column on Wednesday. “That’ll be disappointing for a long list of teams that were keeping an eye on how things developed on the Matthews front, including the likes of the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, and Utah Mammoth.”

Gulls Looking For New Head Coach After McIlvane Departure

Offseason Preview: Anaheim Ducks Trade Partners/Targets, Pacific Division

Anaheim Ducks Offseason Rumor Roundup: 6/6/26

The month of June means time for preparations concerning the upcoming 2026-27 season. Now that both the Colorado Avalanche and their affiliate Colorado Eagles have seen their seasons conclude, action should heat up ahead of the new league year on July 1st.

One of the key decision points has to do with the depth of the organization, and specifically what to do about pending Restricted Free Agents as they are due qualifying offers by the end of the month, specifically June 29th. This year’s class is comprised of all forwards and is a larger than usual group for the organization to make a decision on.

One interesting wrinkle is that all of the following six players hold arbitration rights. Typically the Avalanche square away these files because they do not want to get into a negotiation where they don’t have all the leverage. The arbitration process could grant the players multi-year or one-way contracts especially if they have NHL experience, as several on this list do. We should see the Avalanche sign any of these players shortly if they are interested in keeping them as depth options, if not, a trade or simply a non-tendered qualifying offer might occur as the front office surely will want to limit their arbitration cases.

Avalanche Roster

Jack Drury is the clear headliner of this RFA group for Colorado. They would certainly like him to return but arbitration could prove costly. It’s quite telling there were rumors that Drury was already offered a contract extension near the trade deadline and he wasn’t interested in signing at that time. Drury had a solid first full season in Colorado with 27 points and 10 goals but didn’t quite stick on the third line as hoped. The lines of communication between both parties should be open again but how much can the Avalanche invest in a fourth line center when they already have Nicolas Roy on the books for $3 million next season? The Minnesota Wild’s recent signing of depth forward Michael McCarron to a six-year $3.3 million per year deal after scoring 17 points with a career high of 22 only inflates Drury’s comparables.

There’s several ways to interpret the 25-year-old Zakhar Bardakov’s tenure with the Avalanche. In his first year in the North America over the 2025-26 NHL season he dressed in 60 games, scored one goal and contributed nine assists, in an average of 7:12 minutes time on ice per game and held up well defensively with a 56.73% expected goals and 60.71% goal differential at even strength. Was he just another replaceable fourth line forward or is there enough encouraging results to bring him back? It wouldn’t take the Avalanche a lot of coin to retain Bardakov but after spending the entire postseason on in the press box it wouldn’t surprise if both parties wanted to move on.

Colorado Eagles

The safest best on a returnee from this list is Taylor Makar because of obvious familial reasons. He has taken a step forward in his first full season as a pro in his own right. The 25-year-old increased his production as the year went on and finished with 24 points in 52 regular season games and then six points in 17 playoff games. The Avalanche gave him 12 games as well, setting Makar up to spend more time in the NHL if they set their mind to it.

There should be a place in the NHL for Ivan Ivan but it might not be with the Avalanche. He was seen as more of an afterthought with nine games in the 2025-26 season after spending 40 games in the NHL the year prior. He had a good, and healthy, season in the AHL with 26 points in 66 games but really flourished in the postseason. Ivan’s 15 points in 17 games was second on the team and top five in the AHL, and without the benefit of any power play production. He lead the league with a +14 and took only one minor penalty in the postseason. Where Ivan goes from here should be very interesting.

SO NICE, YOU GOTTA SAY IT TWICE ✌️

Ivan Ivan wins it for the Eagles with just 50 seconds to play, shutting down the Wolves' late surge

Presented by @FortuneTiresUSA@ColoradoEagles | #AHL#CalderCup#FortuneTiresUSApic.twitter.com/BgyIIyE9iR

— FloHockey (@FloHockey) June 3, 2026

Signed as a NCAA free agent two years ago, Chase Bradley hadn’t found his groove in the AHL until now. The 24-year-old posted only 23 points in 71 games last year, though 15 of those points were goals. He’s had injury troubles this year which limited Bradley to just 42 regular season games and 12 points. But this postseason was a different story as he scored five goals and five assists n 17 playoff games. With only two games of NHL experience, the Avalanche might move on but he got hot at the right time.

It was a tough season for 24-year-old Danil Gushchin after arriving in a trade from San Jose as he was limited to 49 regular season games and three in the playoffs mainly due to injury. He was productive when he was on the ice with 18 goals and 32 points. Despite spending the bulk of four seasons in the AHL, Gushchin is not yet a free agent and the Avalanche can retain his rights if they like for him to return.

Exceptions

At only 25-years old Matt Stienburg is not listed in the Eagles RFA category as he is a Group VI Unrestricted Free Agent because he didn’t meet the NHL games played requirement for the Avalanche to retain his rights. Other organizational depth players are entering the summer as with UFA status include forwards Jason Polin, Tye Felhaber, and Valtteri Puustinen.

As we continue diving into draft prospects here at AATJ, we have exclusively covered forwards projected in the top 15, mostly focusing on players that should likely/potentially be available at 12. It shouldn’t be a secret why we have been focusing on forwards as our prospect cupboard up front is is about as barren as XGMTF’s head. However, Best Player available should ALWAYS be the mantra during the draft and 2026 has several defenseman projected to go early in the draft. So, today I am going to take a look at the left shot guys who couldn’t be more different.

Albert Smits

Smits has had one of the more remarkable paths to get here – and is projected to be the highest drafted Latvian player in NHL history assuming he goes before 14 (Zemgus Girgensons). He is a big boy at 6’3” 209lbs and plays every inch of that size. His journey started when he left Latvia in 2021 at age 13 (by himself) to play in Finland and has steadily progressed eventually playing in the pro league this past season. Where he really started getting recognition was at the WJC and more recently the Olympics this past February where he more than held his own against the best in the world.

Based on being a big, strong, 2-way defenseman from a “non-traditional” country, the most immediate comparable I’ve seen is Moritz Seider. So let’s take a look at some video to see if that holds up:

I honestly can see the comp – he has great 4-way mobility, good instincts and poise with the puck, and makes strong offensive reads. Defensively, his gaps are near perfect and he showed a good stick and closing speed. He’s also not afraid to get physical. In the shift by shift every puck touch was the correct decision. He joins the rush when he should and has a good sense of where he is in the zone and doesn’t get caught. His offense isn’t overly dynamic and may be more muted at the NHL level which is why he is ranked in the 5-9 range on most lists, but he is pro ready and there is not a lot to dislike about his game.

Carson Carels

Carels is a cattle farm kid from Cypress River, Manitoba (pop. 175) – just over the border from North Dakota and west of Winnipeg. He stands 6’2” 198 lbs and profiles as smooth skating transition monster with good physicality and a bit of a mean streak. He was drafted by and joined the Prince George Cougars of the WHL and has represented Canada at every national tournament for which he has been eligible. He had a massive breakout this past season putting up big numbers while wearing an ‘A’ for Prince George and is committed to North Dakota next season.

Carels is firmly in the top 10 draft projections across the board, projected as high as 3rd. Frankly the only thing putting some of the RHD ahead of him is just that, handedness. He is, in my opinion, the best defenseman in this draft class, does everything well and projects as a Jake Sanderson jack of all trades with good offense. Let’s take a look at the videotape:

That comp holds up, although I definitely see him needing a little more polish in his defensive game. He does have good gaps and a good stick and closed well in transition, but feel like that can improve a touch. That being said, I’m big believer in drafting for offense and skating and he has both in spades – which is similar to Sanderson’s profile in his draft year. Get used to this kid there is a very strong possibility he winds up across the river.

Xavier Villeneuve

Villeneuve has largely crept up rankings for two reasons: 1) Lane Hutson’s success and 2) a monster performance at the U18 WJC. He is 5’11” 162 lbs and profiles very similar to Hutson, and frankly Quinn Hughes, as a dynamic undersized, offensive defenseman. In a copycat league, teams and scouts now have their radars on high alert for guys like this so they don’t slip through the cracks again. He is committed to BU net season which will be eye opening if he can elevate at the next level. He tops out at as high as #5, but most lists have him mid-teens to low 20s.

Villeneuve isn’t just a WJC flash in the pan though, for 2 years he has put up PPG numbers in the QMJHL, so let’s dive into some video and see if this kid has got it:

OK so his highlight reel is disgusting, he has fantastic high-zone awareness and ability, creates space and spins off pressure like a certain brother we all know. He also flashed some great passing and elite puck skills, his edgework and skating are elite in his highlights. I can see the Hutson, Quinn (insert undersized great skating Dman here) comps, but like I was with Dageneis, I am skeptical of the QMJHL and how top prospects look there.

So, let’s look at a whole game:

He is definitely an offensive wizard, and basically created a chance every shift for himself or teammates. I love his poise in the zone with the puck. He wasn’t overtly physical but I was mildly surprised that he didn’t shy away from contact, he even laid a few cross checks – one in front of the net, one as the 3rd guy into a puck battle in the corner. His Defensive zone positioning and puck decisions could use some work, it wasn’t egregious, but he did drift a few times puck watching, leaving a back door guy. He also had a few bad clearing attempts that turned into turnovers, and a few times got caught heading up ice leaving a guy behind him.

My Thoughts

If I had to rank these guys, I would have Carels, Smits, and Villeneuve in that order as do most draft rankings. Turns out scouts know things. I spent the most time on Villeneuve because one really have to believe in someone of his stature to take a 1st round flier on him. I was also an undersized defenseman and I’m glad to see the short guy club’s lobbying has finally started paying dividends.

Smits seems the most pro ready as of this writing, simply since his defensive game is the most sound, but I see Carels as the long term best of the group. Unless something crazy happens I’d have to imagine Carels and Smits will be long gone by the time we get to 12. Also, as I mentioned in the opening the defense room seems full at the moment but you never know what it may look like in 2-3 years. Unfortunately, I just don’t think the Devils are in a position to take a risk on a 2-3 year project this draft.

What do you think gang, any interest in any of these guys? Anyone of them stand out? Do you agree with how I have them ranked? Let me know in the comments!

LGD

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski never seems to get the respect he deserves. Even after he was awarded the 2026 Norris Trophy, there were some media and fans who refused to give him his flowers. 

On Friday, he was also named to the NHL's first team. Pretty good year for Werenski, yeah? Sadly, it wasn't enough for some voters. What were they watching? Or were they watching at all? 

Also on Friday, the Professional Hockey Writers' Association President Stephen Whyno released the full ballots for all awards in what he called "the interest of transparency."

You can open Whyno's tweet below and open the document if you'd like. 

For a ninth consecutive year, in the interest of transparency, @thePHWA is revealing all voters' NHL awards ballots. You can find them all here: https://t.co/BSg20ATCCi

— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) June 12, 2026

Are you ready for some weird notes about the Norris voting?

Out of 198 ballots cast for the Norris Trophy, winner Zach Werenski was completely left off four voters' ballots.

Former NHL Goalie Jonathan Bernier, who is with Le Journal de Montréal, cast votes for Rasmus Dahlin, Moritz Seider, Miro Heiskanen, Cale Makar, and Lane Hutson in that order. 

One SportsNet writer had Rasmus Dahlin, Cale Makar, Evan Bouchard, Jake Sanderson, and Moritz Seider on its ballot. 

A Minneapolis newspaper had Cale Makar, Rasmus Dahlin, Evan Bouchard, Lane Hutson, and Quinn Hughes. 

A Utah publication had Cale Makar, Miro Heiskanen, Rasmus Dahlin, Erik Karlsson, and Moritz Seider. 

To be fair, it's their decision, but to completely leave off Werenski, who was widely considered the best overall NHL defenseman by hockey experts all over the globe, seems a bit weird. 

Of the four ballots who omitted Werenski, only one of them voted for players who all made the playoffs. 

Three of the ballots had the Red Wings' Moritz Seider, who also missed the playoffs, so it can't be that. So what was it?

In the end, the four votes didn't matter, as Werenski won it going away, but it would be interesting to hear the whys behind not even giving him a 5th-place vote. 

---

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

Stay updated with the most interesting Blue Jackets stories, analysis, breaking news, and more!

Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News and never miss a story.

Let us know what you think below.

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

The Seattle Kraken announced Thursday that they had hired Pascal Vincent as assistant coach and Patrik Allvin as vice president and assistant general manager.

The two join a Kraken team that missed the playoffs last season, finishing 27th out of 32 teams.

Allvin joins the Kraken after serving as Vancouver Canucks general manager for four seasons. He previously made history as the first Swedish GM in the NHL. Now 51 years old, Allvin shared his thoughts on joining the Kraken with NHL.com.

"I am grateful for this opportunity and excited to join the Seattle Kraken organization," Allvin said in a press release. "There is a strong commitment to building a winning team and a passionate fan base, and I look forward to collaborating with (GM) Jason (Botterill) and the hockey operations staff as we continue building a club capable of sustained success.”

Seattle Kraken general manager Jason Botterill and Patrik Allvin are no strangers. The two worked together for a decade in Pittsburgh, winning three Stanley Cups together.

Botterill released a statement on the reunion and the reasoning behind the hire.

“Patrik is an excellent communicator in a team environment,” said Kraken general manager Jason Botterill. “He understands the importance of structure and a process in making decisions. You look at his experience evaluating talent in North America, Europe, amateur, pro, he’s had a lot of different titles over his career. He had success in Pittsburgh, winning three Stanley Cups, being a part of a group there [which included Botterill].”

---

Vincent, on the other hand, joins the Kraken from the Laval Rocket, the Montreal Canadiens’ American Hockey League affiliate.

Canadiens President of Hockey Operations Jeff Gorton released a statement on Vincent’s departure.

"We would like to sincerely thank Pascal for his work and contribution to the Rocket and wish him all the best in his next professional chapter in Seattle," said Gorton. "He was highly committed to our success and made valuable contributions over the past several years. A native of Laval, Pascal was greatly appreciated and respected by the players, his staff members, and the fans. We are grateful for his dedication, leadership, and hard work during his time with the Rocket."

Vincent has worked with several NHL and AHL teams in varying positions. In seven seasons as an NHL assistant coach, he worked with the Winnipeg Jets and Columbus Blue Jackets.

In 2023-24, Vincent was promoted to head coach for the Blue Jackets.

---

Allvin summarized his thoughts on joining the Kraken to NHL.com.

“The practice facility is phenomenal, best in the league. The support of the Kraken in the city and region was evident every time I've been down there for games. As a visiting team, you can feel the fans’ energy and feel the identity of the team playing fast hockey.”

With the 2026 NHL Draft now just two weeks away, we are finally beginning to get an idea of what the Philadelphia Flyers might do with the 21st overall pick.

Much has been made of the Flyers' pursuit of high-end talent and a potential No. 1 center or defenseman, but the reality is, this late in the first round, that's quite unlikely.

A smaller, more dynamic defenseman like Xavier Villeneuve could be that for the Flyers, but that kind of selection has not been in the team's DNA under GM Danny Briere.

With the actual depth of the 2026 draft class looking questionable, all roads may, in fact, lead the Flyers to choosing yet another winger in the first round.

New draft intel from Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects indicates that this very well may be the case when it comes down to it.

"[Elton Hermansson], I had a little bee whisper that maybe [the Flyers] had a good chat with him at the combine. Maybe they like Hermansson," Robinson said on the "Called Up: The Prospects" podcast with fellow draft expert Chris Peters.

Now, Peters did have the Flyers picking a different winger in Adam Novotny at 21 when the duo did their full first-round mock draft on the podcast, but Hermansson offers a bit of a different profile.

The 6-foot-1 Swede is wildly skilled and already plays pro, having played 38 games for MoDo in HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden's second-tier league, this past season. In those 38 games, Hermansson scored 11 goals, 10 assists, and 21 points.

The 19-year-old's scouting report from Elite Prospects tells us exactly why the Flyers might be looking his way later this month.

Flyers Draft Talk: Another Winger Isn't Such a Bad IdeaEventually, the Philadelphia Flyers will need to draft replacements for Travis Konecny and Owen Tippett.

"Looking for a high upside forward bet in the second half of the first round? Elton Hermansson could be just what the doctor ordered," an excerpt from his 2026 draft guide profile reads.

"Hermansson’s offensive skill level is impossible to miss, especially whenever he plays against his peers. He dominates the puck, consistently able to drive play and create quality chances for himself through his superior elusiveness and handling abilities."

The Flyers have no shortage of wingers with Porter Martone, Matvei Michkov, Denver Barkey, Alex Bump, Tyson Foerster, and the elderstatesmen Travis Konecny and Owen Tippett.

But, by the time Hermansson is ready to go full-time at the NHL level, Konecny and Tippett will be well into their 30s, and Foerster will be close to it.

So, if the value is there, and everything goes well in his development, the Swedish dynamo could be a natural replacement in the top-six for one of those three.

“Super talented kid. Very talented. He’s got a nose for the net. He can shoot the puck. He’s got shifty feet, maybe a touch knock-kneed, but it doesn’t affect the speed. I think he’s going to be a good offensive winger," an Eastern Conference executive said of Hermansson, as included in the Elite Prospects 2026 draft guide.

"I’m not sure what his player comp is in the NHL, but I like his odds to be a scoring top-six winger in the NHL. Another thing with Hermansson is that he’s not physical, but he’s also not shy to play through contact. Great kid, too.”

Hermansson will have to develop a "B-Game", as many coaches say, to ensure a successful NHL future, but there is enough talent there to justify the Flyers taking another player at the winger position with a premium draft pick.

His pro production, as well as his dominance in international junior hockey (12 points in seven World Junior games, 33 points in 18 total games for Sweden's U18s), will make Hermansson impossible to dismiss, even for a winger-heavy team like the Flyers.

The Columbus Blue Jackets should be looking to add to their forward depth this off-season. One player who the Blue Jackets should consider making a push for is Chicago Blackhawks forward Ilya Mikheyev. 

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported last month that the Blackhawks have made Mikheyev's signing rights available for trade. With Mikheyev being a solid top-nine forward who provides decent secondary scoring and strong defensive play, the Blue Jackets should consider pursuing him. 

Mikheyev just had back-to-back solid campaigns with the Blackhawks. During the 2024-25 season with Chicago, he scored 20 goals and recorded 34 points. He followed that up this season by scoring 18 goals and setting a new career high with 36 points. With numbers like these, he would have the potential to provide the Blue Jackets with more offensive production if they brought him in. 

Mikheyev has also recorded at least 31 points in four out of his last five seasons. The only time he did not over that span was in 2022-23 with the Vancouver Canucks when he had 28 points but only played in 46 games. 

Mikheyev also provides plenty of value because of his strong penalty killing. He was a major part of the Blackhawks' penalty kill this season and could hold the same role if signed by the Blue Jackets. 

While Mikheyev is not the flashiest of players, he would still be a solid pickup for a Blue Jackets club that is looking to be more competitive next season. On a two- to three-year contract, the 31-year-old forward could be a good value signing for the Blue Jackets to make. 

In 427 career NHL games split between the Toronto Maple Leafs, Canucks, and Blackhawks, Mikheyev has recorded 98 goals, 103 assists, 201 points, and a plus-38 rating. 

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

 Stay updated with the most interesting Blue Jackets stories, analysis, breaking news, and more!

Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News and never miss a story.

Let us know what you think below.

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

It's been widely reported that former NHL star Joe Pavelski has been in the mix. One of the latest reports came from TSN's Pierre LeBrun, when his sources confirmed to him that Pavelski was among the remaining five or so candidates to be named the next head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Most recently, Pavelski himself confirmed the reports of the Maple Leafs showing interest in hiring him as the club's head coach.

“There’s truth to that stuff, we’ve had discussions,” Pavelski told Curtis Pashelka of the Bay Area News Group. “I’m excited to go through the process and kind of see where it leads.”

Pavelski has no experience as a head coach in the NHL or any sort of staffing role in the league since retiring as a player in July 2024, according to eliteprospects.com.

However, this past season, he coached the Madison Capitols' U-15 AAA team, with his son, Nate, on the roster.

Five Serious Remaining Candidates In Race For Maple Leafs Head Coach PositionAfter another head coach came off the Toronto Maple Leafs' list of candidates, here are five serious remaining contenders in the race to become the 42nd bench boss in franchise history.

Many may not believe Pavelski's experience as a coach justifies the possibility of being hired as an NHL head coach, and for one of the NHL's biggest and most intense markets, no less.

But this type of hire has happened before, and in another massive NHL market, with the Montreal Canadiens hiring Martin St-Louis as their head coach during the 2021-22 campaign.

Before being picked for the Canadiens job, St-Louis' only coaching experience was for his son, Lucas, and his team, the Mid Fairfield Rangers, at the U-13 AAA level.

Logan Stankoven Sees Joe Pavelski 'Being Very Successful’ If He Got NHL Coaching Job With Maple LeafsLogan Stankoven knows firsthand what Joe Pavelski brings to young players, which could make him a successful coach of the Maple Leafs if that's the direction they want to go.

Since he was brought in by Montreal, the Habs have seen exponential growth with the players and as a team. St-Louis' history as a star player in the NHL allows him to truly connect with his players. The Canadiens' recent playoff run to the Eastern Conference final is an example of his influence and success with the Habs.

While plenty of other coaches are being considered by the Maple Leafs, it's clear that Toronto's brass is looking to be creative and explore new concepts.

See more of The Hockey News on Google — Save us as Preferred Source

---

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

The NHL announced the players who made the All-Rookie Team for the 2025-26 season, and, unsurprisingly, two Montreal Canadiens players are on the list. Ivan Demidov, who led all rookies in scoring this season, and Jakub Dobes, who led all rookies in wins. They are joined by the Anaheim Ducks’ Beckett Sennecke, the St. Louis Blues’ Jimmy Snuggerud, the New York Islanders’ Matthew Schaefer, and the Carolina Hurricanes’ Alexander Nikishin. Oliver Kapanen, who finished seventh in points amongst rookies this season with 37 and third in goals with 22, finished eighth in forward voting with just six voting points.

On top of leading all rookies in points with 62, Demidov also led in assists (43), in even-strength assists (30), power play assists (13), power play points (20) and multi-point performances (tied first with Sennecke at 14). Demidov dominated the forward votes with 195 points, four points ahead of Sennecke (191) and 59 points ahead of Snuggerud (136).

Canadiens' Prospect Getting First Taste Of Montreal
What Should Canadiens Fans Expect At The Draft?
Canadiens Prospect Make AHL Top Prospects Team

The Russian winger has incredible skills, and the Canadiens front office has made it clear it will try to sign him to a contract extension this offseason. As they should, since they still have the option to sign him to an eight-year deal until that possibility goes away because of the new CBA in mid-September.

As for Dobes, his 29 wins were well ahead of the competition, with his nearest pursuer having only 21 triumphs. Only three rookie goaltenders have had more wins with the Canadiens; Ken Dryden (39), Bill Durnan (38) and Jacques Plante (33). He becomes just the fourth Montreal goaltender to make the All-Rookie team after Steve Penney (1984-85), Patrick Roy (1985-86) and Carey Price (2007-08).

The All-Rookie Team was created in 1982-83, and since then, it has happened three times that the Canadiens have had two players on it: in 1982-83 when Mats Naslund and Dan Daoust made it, in 1984-85 when Penney was joined by Chris Chelios and in 1985-86 when Roy was joined by Kjell Dahlin. In other words, it’s a feat that hadn’t been accomplished in 40 years.

In the last few years, Lane Hutson (2024-25) and Nick Suzuki (2019-2020) made the cut. Before them, Brendan Gallagher had been the last Hab to make it, back in 2012-13.

---

Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.  

Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.

Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable on The Hockey News.

Subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. 

Carolina Hurricanes (53-22-7, in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (39-26-17, in the Pacific Division)

Paradise, Nevada; Sunday, 8 p.m. EDT

LINE: Hurricanes -115, Golden Knights -105; over/under is 6

STANLEY CUP FINAL: Hurricanes lead series 3-2

BOTTOM LINE: The Carolina Hurricanes visit the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Final with a 3-2 lead in the series. The teams meet Thursday for the eighth time this season. The Hurricanes won 4-2 in the last meeting. Andrei Svechnikov led the Hurricanes with two goals.

Vegas has gone 27-15-9 in home games and 39-26-17 overall. The Golden Knights have gone 50-8-12 in games they score at least three goals.

Carolina has gone 31-12-6 on the road and 53-22-7 overall. The Hurricanes have conceded 236 goals while scoring 291 for a +55 scoring differential.

TOP PERFORMERS: Pavel Dorofeyev has 37 goals and 27 assists for the Golden Knights. Brett Howden has seven goals and two assists over the past 10 games.

Seth Jarvis has 32 goals and 34 assists for the Hurricanes. Jordan Staal has scored seven goals and added one assist over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Golden Knights: 7-2-1, averaging 3.7 goals, 6.5 assists, 3.4 penalties and seven penalty minutes while giving up 2.8 goals per game.

Hurricanes: 7-2-1, averaging 3.9 goals, 6.5 assists, 3.4 penalties and 8.4 penalty minutes while giving up 2.8 goals per game.

INJURIES: Golden Knights: William Karlsson: day to day (arm).

Hurricanes: None listed.

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

After more than a decade in pro hockey, former Senator Max McCormick has called it a career.

The decision came after the 34-year-old had hip surgery and was forced to miss the entire 2025-26 AHL season. He had appeared only 19 games the season before, so he's had some time to adjust to the idea of not playing.

McCormick was a fan favourite as the captain of the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the top farm club of the Seattle Kraken. He retires as the franchise’s all-time leader in goals (67), ranking second all-time in points (140), and having played in the third-most games in team history (158).

McCormick was part of the Senators organization for four and a half seasons, suiting up for 71 games with Ottawa. He was a 2011 6th-round pick coming out of the USHL. He played the next three years at Ohio State with Ryan Dzingel, who was picked one round later in that same draft.

“The decision to retire from the game I have loved for as long as I can remember has not been easy, and as much as I wish I could play forever, it’s time to hang up the skates,” McCormick said in a Firebirds website press release.

McCormick made his NHL debut on Oct. 24, 2015 and scored his first career NHL goal in his tenth career game on Jan. 7, 2016.

After splitting time between Binghamton/Belleville and Ottawa, McCormick was traded to the Colorado Avalanche organization for J.C. Beaudin. Beaudin played 22 games for Ottawa, posting one assist.

McCormick later had stops with the Carolina Hurricanes and Seattle Kraken. He was named the first captain in Firebirds’ history and served in the role in each of his four years. While the last two were write-offs, the first two were excellent.

In those two campaigns, McCormick not only found a scoring touch he'd never enjoyed before, but he also helped lead the Firebirds to back-to-back appearances in the final.

“Looking back on my career, I’m filled with nothing but gratitude and pride. Hockey has given me so many great memories, lifelong friendships, and opportunities I could have never imagined. I’m thankful to every organization, teammate, coach, and fan who was a part of my journey.

"I will forever cherish everything this game has given me.”

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News

At this point, no one should really be surprised about any avenue the Pittsburgh Penguins choose to pursue on Jun. 26, which marks the first round of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

Penguins' general manager and president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas has expressed a desire to take a "big step toward sustainable contention" next season, so maybe that involves leveraging their 22nd overall pick for a surefire young NHL talent. Maybe that involves trading up in the draft for a higher-upside player who can help them sooner rather than later. 

However, if the Penguins do decide to stay put, that doesn't mean there will be a lack of talent potentially available at 22.

Of course, beyond the top-10, the draft always has its surprises. It is a defense-heavy class - especially on the front end of it - and the Penguins are in need of more talent on their blue line in the system, making it somewhat likely they'll select a defenseman in the first round. 

But if they decide to go with a forward at 22, Peterborough Petes (OHL) forward Adam Novotny might just be their guy if he's still available.

A certain Penguins' and Petes' alumni is doing pretty well for himself in the Stanley Cup Final right now - Jordan Staal has goals in all five of the games in the series so far - and, in some ways, Novotny makes a lot of sense for Pittsburgh exactly 20 years after Staal's draft. At 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, the Czech forward doesn't quite have the frame that Staal has, but he is already pretty filled out for his age, and he plays a similar style to the younger version of Staal, even in the absence of playing center.

Staal's Standout Stanley Cup Final Performance For Carolina Hurricanes Brings Back Memories Of Clutch Moments During Penguins' TenureOnce upon a time, Carolina Hurricanes center and captain Jordan Staal was delivering clutch moments for the Pittsburgh Penguins in their quest for a Stanley Cup.

Novotny shoots a lot, which helps explain his 34-goal, 65-point campaign in 58 OHL games last season. He plays a no-nonsense, hardline style, unafraid to drive the middle of the ice and use physicality, speed, and soft hands to his advantage. He's still adding size, too, which should only help his ability to open himself up for scoring chances in high-danger areas of the ice. 

He's also a menace on the forecheck, as he uses his frame to gain positional advantage on opponents, pressures relentlessly and forces turnovers, and thrives around the net front. In some ways, his game is reminiscent to that of Philadelphia Flyers young star Porter Martone, although he compared himself to Anaheim Ducks forward Mason McTavish, who is also a Petes alumni.

But, above all, Novotny gets that he can't simply rely on his shot or his skills as-is to get him to the next level. He values his positional and role versatility - and he is confident in his ability to bolster his overall game - but he also understands the importance of improving the margins on the aspects of his game he already excels at.  

Top 20 Projected pick Adam Novotny has offensive ability paired with a great motor who is a mosquito to opponents. He often forces his opponents to make mistake with his constant pressure.

He has a great shot and @SammyT_51 of the @ProHockeyGroup believes he could score 30… https://t.co/BOyGfcIcuhpic.twitter.com/WMm7pjxEET

— The Prospect Don (@TheProspectDon) May 4, 2026

"I mean, there's little stuff I need to work on," Novotny said at the NHL Scouting Combine earlier this month. "It starts in the gym, obviously. You have to be explosive in your upper body to have a good shot. Then, on ice, there's a bunch of stuff you can do. Just, you know, shoot like 300 pucks in 30 minutes on a practice [and] after a practice, and, I mean, that's how you get better, right?

So, there is a bunch of stuff I need to work on. My shot, obviously, and that's something, maybe, I'll focus on in this offseason."

Novotny already has the makings of a solid power forward who can thrive up and down a lineup, but he believes he has the skill to elevate himself and be more multidimensional on offense. He reads exactly as the type of player that the Penguins would covet, even as a winger. 

And he did speak with the Penguins at the combine, appreciating their honest approach to meetings, where they showed less-than-ideal clips of players and evaluated their feedback. Novotny thrives off the challenge to improve. 

Draft Profile: Adam NovotnyThe Petes' Czech import will be of interest to teams looking for a scoring power forward later this month.

"They showed you your clips, usually negative ones," Novotny said. "But, obviously, I think they just want to hear how you're going to react to "many failures," if I could say it like that. And I think I did well. I think they told me I did a good job, so it was nice.

"I like my coaches to be honest with me. [For] all the people around, I just want to hear the truth, not walk around something and not be honest. I always appreciate that feedback and how is that going to get better, right? So, for sure, I was happy for that."

There is a decent possibility that Novotny won't be available for the Penguins at 22, as his draft stock has risen considerably over the past year. He has all the makings of a pro goal-scorer, and his floor seems to be relatively high for a scoring winger because of the honest way he plays the game. 

But, if he is still hanging around, he's certainly a player worth taking a shot on for Dubas and the Penguins. 

Penguins' Draft Prospect Profiles: J.P. HurlbertJ.P. Hurlbert is a player that the Pittsburgh Penguins definitely had their eyes on this season. Does he make sense for them at pick No. 22?

---

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

Follow Michael Whitaker On X

There was plenty of debate in the aftermath of the Detroit Red Wings not retaining defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, whom they had signed to a one-year, $4.125 million contract. 

Gostisbehere, who has been an offensive-minded defenseman throughout his NHL career, fit in nicely on the Red Wings blue line and contributed 10 goals while adding 46 assists.

However, he departed in the summer of 2024, re-joining the Carolina Hurricanes with a three-year, $9.6 million deal, carrying a $3.2 million cap hit. 

Gostisbehere, who helped the Hurricanes reach the Eastern Conference Final during his first stint with the club, helped them do the same last season, where they were defeated by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

This season, as the top seed in the Eastern Conference, he's helped them to come within one win of what would be their first Stanley Cup in 20 years. 

And so far through the first five games of the Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights, Gostisbehere is the leading scorer on Carolina's blue line with a goal and five assists for six points. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

Overall, he has 12 points in 18 postseason games so far this spring. 

The reported hangup in the negotiations between the Red Wings and Gostisbehere in the summer of 2024 was the length of the contract, which Carolina was eventually able to offer him. 

Meanwhile, the Red Wings also decided to eventually part ways with defenseman Jake Walman in a controversial trade just days before Gostisbehere returned to Carolina for reasons which GM Steve Yzerman declined to elaborate on. 

"It's Going To Be Soon": Agent For Sebastian Cossa On When His Client Will Get His Major Opportunity The player agent for Detroit Red Wings prospect goaltender Sebastian Cossa spoke openly about the chances of his client getting a major opportunity, saying that it "will be soon".

Since the departure of both Walman and Gostisbehere, the Red Wings have iced the likes of Jeff Petry, Justin Holl, and Travis Hamonic on the blue line without much success. 

One thing is for certain - despite his defensive flaws, the Red Wings could certainly have made use of Gostisbehere's offensive capabilities in each of the last two seasons, both of which have resulted in missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!

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

The sun hasn’t yet set on the season for the Vegas Golden Knights, but it’s getting to be very late in the afternoon. 

The Golden Knights are no strangers to adversity. In the regular season, they survived nine different stretches of three or more losses, a bottom-five goaltending rotation, and long-term injuries to key players. Ultimately, this added up to a year full of underachievement, and, in a desperate attempt to break through, one of the more memorable Hail Marys in the history of the National Hockey League. 

With just eight games remaining in the regular season, the Golden Knights made a coaching change. Despite being in a playoff position, they relieved Bruce Cassidy of his duties as head coach and brought in John Tortorella. 

There were a million ways this late-season coaching change could have gone wrong, and a million reasons that it should have. But it didn’t. 

With Tortorella behind the bench, the Golden Knights ended the regular season on a 7-0-1 run. In Round 1, they battled through close calls against the Utah Mammoth and came out victorious. In Round 2, they dispatched the Anaheim Ducks in six games, which were so unremarkable that the biggest bit of news was that they lost a second-round draft pick for refusing to speak with the media after their Game 6 win. And in the Western Conference Final, the Golden Knights shocked the world and swept the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche.

But now, down 3-2 to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Final, the Golden Knights face their biggest challenge yet. 

John Tortorella isn’t concerned about the predicament his team is in. Following Thursday’s Game 5 loss, he took the stand and vowed that his team would return to Raleigh for Game 7. 

“We’ll be back here,” he swore. “We’re just gonna do it in a different order… I’m gonna leave my clothes here, that’s for sure. They’ll be at the hotel.”

A Mark Messier guarantee for a Game 6 victory wasn’t the only promise Tortorella made on Thursday night. Mere moments later, he backed goaltender Carter Hart, who entered the series with a .924 save percentage but is now setting records for all the wrong reasons.

In Game 4, Hart became the first goaltender to allow 4+ goals through the first four games of the Stanley Cup Final; last night, he extended that to five straight. Hart’s average save percentage in this series is .856, and for the first time since April, he has lost two games in a row. 

It is also worth noting that Hart hasn’t been made available to the media following any of the five Stanley Cup Final games. Despite being the starting goaltender, he hasn’t spoken since a hastily relocated availability during media day that ended very abruptly.

And yet, there is no question that Hart will start Game 6 on Sunday. 

When asked if he considered going to Adin Hill in the third period of Game 5, Tortorella scoffed, “Oh, for– Christ, that could be the stupidest question I heard.”

Tortorella has made his decision, and time will tell if it was the right one. On Sunday night, the Golden Knights will either be one win away from the Stanley Cup or headed towards locker cleanout day.

Golf legend Walter Hagen used to say, “No one remembers who came in second,” and that’s where the Golden Knights stand right now. Win, and they force a Game 7 back in Raleigh for all the marbles. Win, and they get one step closer to etching their names in history as well as on Lord Stanley’s Cup. Lose, and they risk being forgotten.

It all comes down to Sunday.