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Ryan Craig Takes Charge in Vegas
The Vegas Golden Knights have named Ryan Craig as their new head coach. The 44-year-old has spent the last three seasons as the head coach of the Golden Knights' AHL affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights. Craig has also worked for six years as the Golden Knights' assistant coach, helping the franchise win its first Stanley Cup in 2023. Additionally, he has 198 games of NHL experience under his belt as a player. The Golden Knights appear to be extremely high on Craig. They preferred him to John Tortorella, who was interested in returning next season after posting a 21-8-1 record (including the playoffs) with the team in 2025-26.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Michael Kesselring Traded to Sharks
Defenseman Michael Kesselring will suit up for the San Jose Sharks in 2026-27. He was traded by the Buffalo Sabres, along with the 27th pick in the 2026 draft, in exchange for the No. 20 pick in 2026. Kesselring is scheduled for restricted free agency but is expected to sign a new deal with the Sharks after completing a two-year, $2.8 million contract. The Sabres acquired Kesselring last offseason in a trade that sent J.J. Peterka to Utah. Following a pair of strong seasons, he hit a roadblock in 2025-26. Kesselring dealt with several health issues, making only 34 appearances. His offensive contributions were limited to two assists. The 26-year-old will aim to re-establish himself in San Jose.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Maple Leafs Acquire Darren Raddysh in Sign-And-Trade Deal
The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired defenseman Darren Raddysh from the Tampa Bay Lightning in a sign-and-trade deal. Raddysh is a pending unrestricted free agent and is expected to sign an eight-year, $68 million extension. In the deal, Tampa Bay received a 2026 fifth-round draft pick. Raddysh burst onto the scene this season, scoring 70 points (22 goals, 48 assists) in 74 games -- the seventh most among defensemen. Only two blue-liners scored more goals than Raddysh. He had previously been a 30-point scorer in back-to-back seasons. Raddysh, who will turn 31 in February, has a lot to live up to in 2026-27, but the Maple Leafs clearly believe he can replicate his success from this campaign.
Source: Toronto Maple Leafs
Source: Toronto Maple Leafs
Maple Leafs Hire Jim Hiller as New Head Coach
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Jim Hiller as their new head coach on Wednesday. He will replace Craig Berube, who was fired by new Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka after the team failed to make the postseason for the first time in 10 years. Hiller was let go by the Los Angeles Kings on March 1 after three seasons. He posted a 93-58-24 record in 175 games during his first head-coaching stint in the NHL. Hiller, who turned 57 in May, has extensive experience as an assistant coach, having worked for several franchises. The Maple Leafs have the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft and are expected to improve significantly under Hiller after finishing second-to-last in the Eastern Conference with a 32-36-14 record in 2025-26.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
John Tortorella Won't Return as Golden Knights Head Coach
John Tortorella will not be in charge of the Vegas Golden Knights next season, general manager Kelly McCrimmon announced on Tuesday. Replacing Bruce Cassidy behind the bench late in the season, Tortorella had an incredible run with the team, leading the team to the Stanley Cup Finals. He went 21-8-1 with the team, including the playoffs. Overall, Tortorella has a 777-648-166 career record with 37 ties across 24 seasons as an NHL head coach. He's the second-winningest American coach in league history. According to ESPN, Tortorella would like to coach next season. However, his options are currently limited, as the Edmonton Oilers are the only other team besides Vegas without a head coach.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Ross Colton Shipped to Nashville
The Colorado Avalanche have traded forward Ross Colton to the Nashville Predators. Prospect goaltender Isak Posch also moved to Nashville in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick, a 2027 third-round pick, and goaltender Magnus Chrona. Nashville made its first trade since hiring Chris MacFarland as the new general manager and president of hockey operations. He knows Colton well, having previously worked with the Avalanche. Colton struggled in 2025-26, registering 24 points (nine goals, 15 assists) in 73 games. He has been a 20-goal scorer and registered a career-high 40 points just a couple of seasons ago. Entering the final season of a four-year, $16 million contract, Colton has plenty of incentive to bounce back strong in 2026-27.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Emil Andrae Traded to Maple Leafs
Defenseman Emil Andrae will suit up for a new team in 2025-26 after being traded by the Philadelphia Flyers. The 24-year-old Swedish native was shipped to the Toronto Maple Leafs, along with goaltender Samuel Ersson and a third-round draft pick, in exchange for goaltender Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit. Andrea, who is a former second-round pick, has just finished his three-year, entry-level contract. He recorded 13 points (two goals, 11 assists), 36 SOG, 58 blocks, 68 hits, and a plus-15 rating in 61 games this season. In Toronto, Andrea will aim to become a regular in the lineup after making only 107 appearances across three seasons with the Flyers.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Maple Leafs Pick Up Samuel Ersson
The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired goaltender Samuel Ersson and defenseman Emil Andrae from the Philadelphia Flyers. The team also received a third-round draft pick in the transaction, giving up goaltender Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit. This marks the Maple Leafs' first trade under new general manager John Chayka. Ersson is a restricted free agent after completing a two-year, $2.9 million contract. The Swedish netminder had a decent 14-11-5 record in 2025-26, but finished with a .870 save percentage and allowed 3.12 goals. He must stop the puck more often to earn playing time with the Maple Leafs, who still have Anthony Stolarz and Dennis Hildeby on the books.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Flyers Acquire Simon Benoit
Defenseman Simon Benoit will start next season with the Philadelphia Flyers. He was traded by the Toronto Maple Leafs, along with goaltender Joseph Woll, in a deal that sent goaltender Samuel Ersson and defenseman Emil Andrae in the opposite direction. The Flyers also departed with a third-round draft pick. Benoit spent three seasons in Toronto, making 73 appearances in 2025-26. He finished second on the team in both blocks (114) and hits (194), but his limited offensive ability makes him a non-factor in fantasy hockey. Benoit didn't score a single goal this season and recorded only six assists.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Joseph Woll Moves to Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Flyers have acquired goaltender Joseph Woll from the Toronto Maple Leafs. In the transaction, the Flyers sent goaltender Samuel Ersson, defenseman Emil Andrae, and a third-round pick to the Maple Leafs in exchange for Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit. Woll started his NHL career with the Maple Leafs in 2021-22 and posted a 15-16-7 record this season. He had a career-worst .898 save percentage and a 3.34 goals-against average. Woll will have a better defense in front of him in Philadelphia, but he will be the No. 2 behind Dan Vladar, which limits his fantasy value.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Mitch Marner Finishes Playoffs as Top Scorer
Vegas Golden Knights forward Mitch Marner finished the 2026 playoffs with a league-high 29 points (10 goals, 12 assists) in 22 games. He was on fire throughout the postseason, though Marner couldn't add to his scoring tally in the last two games of the Finals. He finished just two points short of becoming only the third player in the last 30 years to record at least 10 points in his first Finals appearance. Marner earned 80 points (24 goals, 56 assists) in 81 games in his first regular season with the Golden Knights. This was Marner's first year in eight seasons without averaging at least a point per game, but his playoff form suggests fantasy managers can expect him to raise his performance levels in 2026-27.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Nikolaj Ehlers Produces an Empty-Netter as Hurricanes Clinch Cup
Carolina Hurricanes winger Nikolaj Ehlers was among the goal scorers as the team secured the 2026 Stanley Cup with a 3-0 Game 6 win against the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday. Ehlers had the honor of scoring the last goal of the Finals, sending the puck into the empty net with 68 seconds remaining in the third period. The Danish veteran played a huge role in the Finals, justifying Carolina's decision to pick up Ehlers as a free agent on a six-year, $51 million deal last offseason. He recorded four goals and five assists against Vegas. Overall, Ehlers managed 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) in 18 playoff games. During the regular season, Ehlers was Carolina's second-highest scorer with 71 points (26 goals, 45 assists) in 82 games.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Taylor Hall Scores Game-Winning Goal in Cup Clincher
Carolina Hurricanes left wing Taylor Hall recorded the game-winning goal in Sunday's Stanley Cup-clinching 3-0 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. The former MVP lit the lamp just 3:47 into the game. Hall had an impressive playoff run with the Hurricanes, posting 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists) in as many games. He won his first Stanley Cup after playing in 1,062 career games with seven teams. Alex Ovechkin is the only No. 1 pick to feature in more games before winning the Stanley Cup. Hall has two years remaining on his contract, and the Hurricanes will hope he remains productive next season. In his 16th NHL campaign, Hall managed 48 points (18 goals, 30 assists) in 80 games during the regular season.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jackson Blake Bags Two Points in Cup-Clinching Win
Carolina Hurricanes right wing Jackson Blake led the offense in Sunday's 2-0 Stanley Cup-clinching win over the Vegas Golden Knights, recording a goal and an assist. Blake helped Taylor Hall net an early goal and doubled the lead in the second period, becoming the first player in franchise history to record seven multi-point games in a single postseason. Two of Blake's multi-point efforts came in the Finals. The 22-year-old finished the playoffs as Carolina's top scorer. In 19 appearances, Blake contributed seven goals and 13 assists. His line with Hall and Logan Stankoven displayed fantastic chemistry throughout the Hurricanes' run to their second Stanley Cup victory in franchise history. All three are under contract for next season, and it will be interesting to see whether they can replicate their success.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jordan Staal Becomes Oldest Conn Smythe Trophy Winner in History
Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal was named the 2026 Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the NHL playoff MVP after the team clinched the Stanley Cup with a 3-0 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday. At 37 years, 277 days, Staal became the oldest player ever to win the award. He earned it with a special performance in the Finals. Staal was the first player in 70 years and only the fourth overall to open the Stanley Cup Finals with a five-game goal streak. Against Vegas, he tallied six goals and one assist in six games, winning an incredible 69% of his faceoffs. Staal finished the playoffs with 12 points (eight goals, four assists) in 19 games. Having won the Stanley Cup for the first time in 2009 as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Staal's 17 years between two championship wins mark a new NHL record.
Source: NHL Public Relations
Source: NHL Public Relations
