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Matthew Schaefer Wins Calder Trophy
New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer was named the 2025-26 Calder Trophy winner as the NHL's best rookie on Wednesday. The 18-year-old from Hamilton, Ontario, became the first defenseman in NHL history to be the unanimous Rookie of the Year. Schaefer set many records during his maiden campaign, finishing with 59 points (23 goals, 36 assists) in 82 games. He's only the fourth defenseman to lead rookies in goals. Overall, he finished third in scoring among first-year players. Schaefer made a huge impact during his rookie campaign, and it's scary to think about what he will be capable of with more experience.
Source: Kristen Shilton
Source: Kristen Shilton
Maple Leafs Fire Head Coach Craig Berube
The Toronto Maple Leafs parted ways with head coach Craig Berube on Wednesday, ESPN's Kristen Shilton reports. He was let go after working with the team for two years. Berube had an 84-62-18 regular-season record with the Maple Leafs. During his debut campaign, he guided the team to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but Toronto took a huge step back in 2025-26. The team had just 32 wins, finishing at the bottom of the Atlantic Division and missing the playoffs for the first time in 10 years. Firing Berube was the first major decision by the Maple Leafs' new front office, led by general manager John Chayka.
Source: Kristen Shilton
Source: Kristen Shilton
Mason McTavish Delivers Two Assists Tuesday Night
Anaheim Ducks forward Mason McTavish dished out two assists in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. In the first period, Beckett Sennecke scored a power-play goal, and Olen Zellweger tied the game at two with an even-strength tally late in the third. This was a painful loss for the Ducks, who now face elimination in Game 6, but it was a great night for McTavish personally. He's seen limited ice time in the playoffs and was a healthy scratch for a couple of games earlier in the second-round series. Scoring-wise, McTavish hasn't done a bad job in the postseason, bagging six points (one goal, five assists) in nine appearances.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Pavel Dorofeyev Pots Two Goals in Vital Game 5 Win
Vegas Golden Knights winger Pavel Dorofeyev produced two goals in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime victory in Game 5 against the Anaheim Ducks, putting his team one win away from the Western Conference Finals. The Russian forward notched a power-play goal late in the first period and scored at even strength with 4:10 played in overtime. Jack Eichel had assists on both Dorofeyev goals. The Golden Knights can count their lucky stars that Dorofeyev was on the ice for the game-winning goal, as he missed some time in the second period after a puck struck his knee. With seven goals, Dorofeyev is now tied for the most among all skaters in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He's also tallied two assists in 11 games.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Josh Doan Records Two Assists in Game 4 Victory
Buffalo Sabres winger Josh Doan recorded two assists as the team tied the second-round series against the Montreal Canadiens with a 3-2 road win. Doan extended his assist streak to five games when Mattias Samuelsson opened the scoring in the first period and added another in the third on a power-play goal by Zach Benson. Doan is the first Sabres player in 20 years to post a five-game assist streak in the playoffs. Gilbert Perreault holds the franchise record, set in 1981, with a seven-game run. Playoff hockey has suited Doan, as he's been Buffalo's second-highest scorer this postseason, with nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 10 games.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Penguins Want Evgeni Malkin Back
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin is a pending unrestricted free agent, but he could still have a future with the franchise, ESPN's Greg Wyshynski reports. On Tuesday, Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas said he would "love" to have Malkin back for next season. The team has reportedly been in discussions with Malkin and his agent about a new contract. Recently, Malkin hinted he's prepared to continue his NHL career elsewhere if an agreement isn't reached with the Penguins. Malkin, who will turn 40 in July, has played in Pittsburgh since entering the NHL in 2006. With 1,407 points (533 goals, 874 assists) in 1,269 regular-season games, he ranks third on the team's all-time scoring list. In 2025-26, Malkin averaged at least a point per game for the first time in three years, showing he's got plenty of gas left in the tank.
Source: Greg Wyshynski
Source: Greg Wyshynski
Sidney Crosby Joins Team Canada for World Championship
Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby will play for Team Canada at the 2026 World Championship. This will be only the fourth time Crosby will participate in the tournament, but he will be part of Canada's squad for a second consecutive year. In 2025, Crosby racked up 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in eight games, but couldn't help his team get past the quarterfinals. The Penguins captain suffered further heartbreak with Canada at this year's Olympic Games. Crosby couldn't finish the tournament due to a lower-body injury, and the Canadians lost the gold medal game to Team USA. Canada added Crosby to the World Championship roster after New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal (undisclosed) dropped out of the squad due to a minor injury.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Ryan Poehling Suffers Upper-Body Injury in Game 5 Loss
Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Poehling (upper body) didn't finish Tuesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. He left the game in the first period after taking a big hit from Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb. Poehling needed assistance to leave the ice, and McNabb was assessed a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for interference. Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville didn't have an update on Poehling postgame. Poehling has been quietly effective for the Ducks throughout the campaign. He finished the regular season with a career-high 36 points (11 goals, 25 assists) in 75 contests and has added five points (four goals, one assist) in 11 playoff outings. Frank Vatrano and Jansen Harkins are potential options to replace Poehling in the lineup if needed.
Source: Anaheim Ducks
Source: Anaheim Ducks
Charlie McAvoy Slapped With Six-Game Suspension
Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy will sit out the first six games of the 2026-27 regular season due to a suspension, ESPN's Greg Wyshynski reports. The NHL Department of Player Safety has suspended McAvoy for slashing Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson in Game 6 of their first-round playoff matchup on May 1. This marks McAvoy's third career suspension. Last time, he sat out four games for an illegal check to an opponent's head. Boston will feel McAvoy's absence on both ends of the ice. In 2025-26, he had a career-high 61 points (11 goals, 50 assists) in 69 games, along with 129 blocks and 79 hits.
Source: Greg Wyshynski
Source: Greg Wyshynski
Jonas Brodin Unavailable for Game 5 Against Avalanche
Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin (lower body) hasn't traveled with the team for Game 5 against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports. He will be absent for a sixth consecutive game due to a lower-body injury. If the Wild don't win on Wednesday, Brodin won't get a chance to return this season. Daemon Hunt and Jeff Petry have seen playing time during Brodin's absence, with Hunt appearing in all four games against Colorado. The 23-year-old has been limited to 13:47 of ice time per game, but he contributed an assist in Game 2. He has also recorded two SOG, seven blocks, and five hits.
Source: Michael Russo
Source: Michael Russo
Joel Eriksson Ek to Remain Out Wednesday
Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body) won't play in Game 5 against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports. He hasn't traveled to Denver due to a lower-body injury, which has kept him out for the entire series. The Swedish forward has been listed as day-to-day, but his absence from the trip suggests he isn't yet close to returning. Until Eriksson Ek is ready to rejoin the action, Danila Yurov is poised to continue in a second-line role. He has been among Minnesota's most productive players in the second-round series, with one goal and two assists in four contests.
Source: Michael Russo
Source: Michael Russo
Sam Malinski Day-to-Day With Upper-Body Injury
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Sam Malinski (upper body) is considered day-to-day ahead of Game 5 against the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports. The 27-year-old had been ever-present in the Avalanche lineup since opening day until an upper-body injury kept him out on Monday against Minnesota. Over seven postseason appearances, Malinski has averaged two blocks per game and contributed one goal and two assists. Both Jack Ahcan and Nick Blankenburg are candidates to cover for Malinski during his absence.
Source: Evan Rawal
Source: Evan Rawal
Artturi Lehkonen Considered Day-to-Day
Colorado Avalanche winger Artturi Lehkonen (upper body) is day-to-day, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports. The Finnish forward missed Monday's Game 4 against the Minnesota Wild due to an upper-body injury. Lehkonen is a highly effective player, registering six points (three goals, three assists) and a plus-nine rating in seven playoff games this year. Yet Colorado still comfortably beat Minnesota 5-2 on Monday night. Jared Bednar's team is now up 3-1 in the series and could play it safe by keeping Lehkonen out and not rushing him back for Game 5 on Wednesday. Gabriel Landeskog could remain on the top line if Lehkonen doesn't return.
Source: Evan Rawal
Source: Evan Rawal
Charlie Coyle Lands Six-Year Extension
Columbus Blue Jackets forward Charlie Coyle has signed a six-year, $36 million contract extension with the team, skipping unrestricted free agency. Coyle turned 34 in March, but his new deal suggests that Columbus believes he will remain an effective player for several more years. In 2025-26, Coyle had one of the best seasons of his 14-year NHL career, recording 20 goals and 58 points in 82 games. He matched his career high with 38 assists, playing in all situations. Coyle hasn't missed a game in five seasons, which should reassure the team that he can remain impactful in his late 30s.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to Start Game 4 Against Canadiens
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will start Game 4 against the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night. The Sabres started the postseason with Luukkonen as their No. 1, but Alex Lyon has been in the net in each of the last seven games. On Tuesday, Luukkonen will have a chance to re-establish himself as the starter after Lyon allowed nine goals in Games 2 and 3 against Montreal. The Finnish netminder has a 1-1 record this postseason, but he was limited to a .821 save percentage and a 4.19 goals-against average in Round 1 against Boston. Luukkonen has positive memories of facing Montreal in the regular season, finishing a 4-2 victory with 32 saves on Feb. 22.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
